Illinois Crime Victim's Compensation Act Program is Important to the Community

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Contact the Crime Victims Compensation Bureau at 1-800-228-3368 (TTY: 1-877-398-1130) or download the application at linoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/cvc.html.
Contact the Crime Victims Compensation Bureau at 1-800-228-3368 (TTY: 1-877-398-1130) or download the application at linoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/cvc.html.

Victims of violent crimes and their families should be aware that through the Illinois Crime Victim's Compensation Act, the Court of Claims along with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, administers funding to victims of violent crimes who have inadequate health insurance, or an insufficient amount of resources needed to cover expenses resulting from the crime, including medical bills, counseling, lost wages and other expenses.

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1973 the primary goal of The Crime Victim Compensation Act was to help reduce the financial burden imposed on victims of violent crime and their families. The Program can provide individuals with up to $27,000 in financial assistance for expenses accrued as a result of a violent crime.

Crimes covered under the Program include, First and Second Degree Murder, Battery, Arson, Domestic Battery, Order of Protection Violation, Hate Crime, Kidnapping, Criminal Sexual Abuse, Driving Under the Influence, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer.

The Compensation Program may reimburse the following expenses if they are due to the crime, and if no other sources of reimbursement are available. Caps or limits may apply:

Medical/Hospital and Dental Expenses

Mental Health Counseling

Loss of Earnings (up to $1,250/month)

Relocation (may include temporary lodging, first month’s rent, security deposit, moving van and storage)

Replacement Costs (hearing aids, eyeglasses, replacement of clothing/bedding taken as evidence and locks/windows damaged as a result of the incident)

Crime Scene Clean-up and Accessibility & Usability of Property (wheelchairs, ramps, etc.)

Loss of Tuition

Replacement Services Loss (up to $1,250/month)

Funeral/Burial Expenses (up to $7,500)

Loss of Support (up to $1,250/month)

Transportation to and from Medical and Counseling Treatment Facilities

Reimbursement is made to the victim for out-of-pocket expenses, or to any person who paid the victim’s expenses. Reimbursement may also be paid directly to service providers, such as hospitals, doctors, funeral homes and others, for expenses incurred by the victim as a result of the crime.

According to Brad Bucher with the Illinois Court of Claims, established as a forum of specific jurisdiction to render decisions on monetary claims and lawsuits against the state, with the exceptions of worker's compensation claims and federal claims and to also awards compensation to victims of violent crimes under the Crime Victims Compensation Act, and to dependents of police officers, firefighters and National Guard members killed in the line of duty, more than 4000 Victim’s Compensation claims are filed each year.

To file an application, contact the Crime Victims Compensation Bureau at 1-800-228-3368 (TTY: 1-877-398-1130) or download the application at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/cvc.html.

For a full list of violent crimes covered under the Compensation Program and the list of eligibility guidelines or if you would like referrals for counseling or other services, please contact the Illinois Attorney General’s office at 1-800-228-3368 (TTY:1-877-398-1130) or visit the website at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

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