Grantees provided the following feedback:





* The initial trauma of the victimization often renders victims unable to pursue compensation in a timely manner;





* Victims are often unable to obtain well-documented police reports of the crime; 





* The reimbursement process is not conducive to those victims that can not afford to pay for funeral expenses and the waiting period (up to one year) is too long;





* The reimbursement process is unavailable if the victim is on felony probation; 





* There seems to be a high percentage of initial denial of claims; and





* There is still not enough available outreach information to monolingual Spanish-speaking victims.

Most grantees are working diligently to promote partnerships with local agencies to assist crime victims. They stress the importance of maintaining and regularly updating networking agreements through the development of multi-disciplinary teams and it is important that these teams focus on the availability of quality services provided to the victims by collaborating counseling, child welfare, case-management, and law enforcement agency services when needed.





Also, some communities have been taking part in awareness activities such as parades and walk-a-thons, which promote attention to victimization and open the doors for victims to seek services. Additionally, schools have hosted date rape presentations by victim service agencies.

The Authority continues to require that all VOCA-funded grantees serve all crime victims regardless of whether their cases are charged in county, state or federal courts. Also, federal agencies located within the State of Illinois have access to information on VOCA-funded services so that they can refer victims to those resources.





The Authority has a limited number of current federal crime victim cases. However, there was a case in which a VOCA-funded child advocate was asked to stay on a case prosecuted by a U.S. attorney after joint investigations by local and federal authorities. The advocate provided services to multiple victims and non-offending family members.





Also, victims who have out-of-state orders of protection, and/or who will be traveling out of state with Illinois orders of protection receive comprehensive education and information on the full faith and credit that is given to Illinois protection orders in other states (18 U.S.C. ? 2265(a)) from VOCA-funded court advocacy staff. The advocates provide extensive systems advocacy through education to court personnel to better assist federal crime victims.

The Authority uses VOCA funds to improve services to victims. In addition, the provision of training conferences for new advocates and the upgrading of information and computer systems were also contributing factors to improvements of services to victims. The conferences attended were for a national crime victim?s seminar, crisis intervention, stress-relief, disaster management, equine therapy, and empathy training.





Staff of one VOCA-funded domestic violence center noted that clerks in the court did not know how to register out-of-state orders of protection. This issue was raised at a Legal Issue Committee meeting and as a result, the Clerk of the Court?s Domestic Violence Liaison is now working on updating and publicizing the process to be used in these cases.





A VOCA-funded center serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse now requires all supervisors to be certified by the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals Board and requires new hires to obtain that certification. This enhanced certification helps to ensure that all victims receive the best possible supports from the agency staff.





Another notable VOCA-funded activity was one crisis center?s provision of enhanced services to children who have been traumatized by abuse in the home. Tools for trauma assessment were purchased, training for staff had been provided, and each child was assessed for trauma.

VOCA funds have been utilized in Illinois to provide services to a variety of crime victims. The following illustrates the impact of such services: 





* Transitional Housing and Support Services





A victim in this program was able to enroll in a certified nursing aid program at the local community college. While enrolled she found employment and managed to save enough money from her wages and annual tax refund to get her license and purchase a vehicle. After completing the program, she was able to obtain a higher paying job and move into permanent housing with her son.





* Services to Senior Victims of Violent Crime





A 91-year old male in this program had been financially abused and had recently lost his wife. The assistance and support that was provided by his case worker helped him regain his confidence so that he could start driving again, and also travel to Texas to visit his relatives. His well-being is being monitored and he has been encouraged to access other community resources such as the local senior center.





* Civil Legal Services for Victims of Domestic Violence





A legal assistance agency had three different cases where they represented hearing impaired victims of domestic violence from foreign countries who didn?t speak American Sign Language. This required both a certified deaf interpreter and a sign language interpreter. Two of the cases were resolved with some litigation and the third case resulted in a contested hearing and prevailed.





* Statewide Services to Victims of Drunk Drivers





This case has many in the community outraged. There was an accident involving a head on collision with two vehicles. The driver of the first vehicle had been accused of being under the influence of drugs. The driver of the second vehicle was seriously injured and the passenger in the second vehicle was killed. Unfortunately, this happens to be the second time the accused individual has killed someone while driving under the influence. Because of the defendant?s serious health problems the judge determined that the defendant should be placed under house arrest and not confined to the county jail. This has brought on more problems and publicity to this case. The victims are outraged and want to see justice done. There are not only those who have been victimized by the most recent accident, but also victims from the previous accident that occurred about 15 years ago.





* Child Advocacy Center Services




A 5-year old girl was playing in her front yard with her twin brother. A stranger walked up to her, lured her behind a tree and sexually assaulted her. After the assault, the girl told her mother who promptly called the police. Within the hour the child was at a VOCA-funded advocacy center being interviewed on tape and provided a complete account of what happened to her. She was also able to provide a forensic sketch artist with a description of the offender. This description was so accurate that within two weeks the subject was identified and arrested. While at the center, the advocate was able to meet with the victim and her family to provide crisis intervention and counseling referrals. Due to the video-taped interview of the child, the accurate physical description of the offender and his subsequent confession, the defendant pled guilty and received twenty years in prison.

The Authority recognizes emerging issues and acknowledges many notable trends impacting crime victim services throughout the state. One of the most notable trends this last year has been the erosion of funding. The Authority has been unable to provide any increases in funding for core victim services, and the lack of cost of living adjustments has made it more difficult to maintain the same level of service while the need does not abate. 





Some emerging issues impacting crime victims in Illinois include:





* The need for mental health services and substance abuse counseling that is culturally sensitive, as well as sensitive to the experience of domestic violence victims.





* The increasing competition for entry-level jobs and the lack of affordable daycare.





* The need for domestic violence advocates to recognize that many survivors of domestic violence are also experiencing the traumatic effects of other lifetime abuse and the importance of developing the knowledge and skills to respond more effectively to survivors? trauma.





Provided below are additional trends and issues impacting victim services in Illinois:





* Decrease in reported number of domestic offenses. According to Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data from the Illinois State Police, the number of reported domestic offenses decreased less than one percent statewide over the past year from 115,455 offenses in 2006 to 115,006 in 2007. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of reported domestic offenses across Illinois decreased 12 percent, from 130,944 reported offenses to 115,006 reported offenses. During that same time period, the number of reported domestic offenses increased 24 percent in other urban counties (22,438 to 27,783) but decreased 7 percent in rural counties (9,472 to 8,801), 2 percent in collar counties (10,330 to 10,090) and 23 percent in Cook County (88,704 to 68,332).





* Decrease in reported criminal sexual assault offenses. Overall, Illinois? UCR data indicated a decrease of 2.3 percent over the last year, from 5,729 offenses in 2006 and 5,596 in 2007. Between 2002 and 2007 the number of reported Index criminal sexual assault offenses reported decreased 9 percent, from 6,132 in 2002 to 5,596 in 2006). Illinois has seen a decrease in all areas of the state except the collar counties. Reported offenses in rural counties decreased 13 percent (928 to 804), offenses in urban counties 10 percent (1,867 to 1,692), and offenses in Cook County 17 percent (2,724 to 2,255). Reported offenses in collar counties increased 38 percent (613 to 845).





* Increase in reported elder abuse and neglect cases. The number of elder abuse and neglect cases reported in Illinois was 9,541 during state fiscal year (SFY) 2007. This is a 6 percent increase from the 8,980 cases reported in SFY 2006.  Over the last 10 years, the number of reported cases increased 54 percent, from 5,833 reported cases of elder abuse to 9,541 reported cases. During SFY 2007, rural counties had the highest rate of reported cases (697 reports per 100,000 population 60 and older), closely followed by urban counties outside the Chicago area (641 reports per 100,000 population 60 and older). These rates were substantially higher than those for Cook County and the collar counties, where rates were less than 400 reports per 100,000 populations 60 and older. 





* Increase in the number of child abuse and neglect cases reported, yet a decrease in cases that were indicated.  The number of reported cases of child abuse and neglect increased between SFYS 2002 and 2007 from 97,478 to 108,100 ? an 11 percent increase. The number of indicated cases increased 5 percent, from 27,278 to 28,516 indicated cases. During the same time period, reported and indicated cases decreased in Cook County (4 percent and 16 percent, respectively). By contrast, reported and indicated cases in other areas of the state increased (reported cases 32 percent and indicated cases 31 percent in collar counties, reported and indicated cases 10 percent in other urban counties, and reported cases 27 percent and indicated cases 17 percent in rural counties).





* Continued demand for language services. In addition to the continuing demand for Spanish language services, programs are also seeing an increased need for multilingual and multicultural services. Illinois has experienced growth in the immigrant populations such as Polish, Russian, Korean and other Asian and Middle Eastern populations. 1990 Census data showed that about six percent of Illinois? population had limited English-speaking ability,  or just over 650,000 residents. In 2000, this population jumped to over one million, and represented more than nine percent of the state?s population. Furthermore, nearly 20 percent of Illinois residents speak languages other than English in their homes. Victim service programs continue to seek bilingual advocates so that they are better able to serve these populations. 





* Continued demand for overlapping victim services. Several programs have reported difficulty in gaining access to high quality mental health care for victims of sexual assault. If mental health issues are not addressed it is unlikely the victim can effectively participate in treatment for sexual assault. This is also the case in dealing with clients who have drug or alcohol abuse problems. Another emerging issue is the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness. Victims of domestic violence are often faced with homelessness when they attempt to leave an abusive environment. In Chicago, due to the limited number of domestic violence shelter beds, many of these victims are forced to enter the Department of Human Services? shelter system. This issue is further aggravated by the overall decline in the number of subsidized housing units available through the Chicago Housing Authority.





* Increase in need for victims of crime on college campuses.  Through research and training, staff has found another unique victim type: the college student. Due to new policies and practices regarding safety and crime on campus, there has been an increase in the number of students seeking services as victims of crime. Part of this is the result of more crime awareness and education, as well as the requirement of campus authorities to provide specific services for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes. Because campuses are often independent of the communities they reside in, it is unknown if services available outside the campus community are being accessed.

The Authority used VOCA administrative funds during FFY 2008 to strengthen and enhance Illinois' VOCA program and improve victim services across the state. Currently, the VOCA administration funds support a total of 30 individuals with a variety of time allocations.





* Program monitoring staff. During FFY 2008, VOCA administrative funds were used to support the salaries of three and a half full-time equivalent grant specialists and 25 percent of one research analyst?s salary to support VOCA-funded projects. The grant specialists conducted on-site visits with program staff, provided technical assistance to grantees and monitored project performance. VOCA administrative funds were also used to support a portion of the salaries of one two legal advisors, one public information officer, five accountants, one administrative assistant, one criminal justice specialists, one data process specialist, one associate director, one business administration specialist, one executive I, one travel coordinator, and two public service administrators. Funds are also used for rent, office supplies, equipment maintenance, and postage.





* Illinois' victim service information system (InfoNet). During FFY 2008, 75 percent of a full-time staff person?s salary was funded with VOCA. This staff person manages the InfoNet system, an internet-based data collection and reporting system used by over 120 victim service agencies from nearly 200 sites across Illinois. More than 90 percent of these agencies receive VOCA funds for victim assistance services. The InfoNet manager ensures that the system is maintained with quality data; useful to statewide agencies for planning and administration of grant funds; and useful for local victim service agencies for reporting to funders, program development, and case management. InfoNet contains basic information about all clients ? victims and significant others ? who receive victim services, including demographic, health insurance, employment, education, marital status, income source, referral source, and special needs. The type of victimization and severity of abuse are also captured, as well as victim interactions with court and health care systems. User agency staff also enters information about the offender?s involvement with the criminal justice system, including arrest, charge, case disposition, and sentencing information. Information is added to a client?s record over time, creating a history of services and events. In FFY08, the InfoNet system continued to provide valuable data and information to program monitoring staff, grantees, members of the Authority?s groups and committees, and the victim service community statewide. These contributions not only help assess VOCA-funded activity, but also all victim service activity at local and state levels; including the identification of service gaps and needs among different populations and geographic areas.





* Statewide Coalitions. In FFY 2008, the Authority also disbursed a portion of VOCA administrative funds to the two statewide coalitions. The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence was responsible for monitoring 174 projects in 51 VOCA subgrants for services to adult and child victims of domestic violence, and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault was responsible for 74 projects in 33 VOCA subgrants for services to adult and child victims of sexual assault.