JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TO AMEND THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION!
Make Illinois Victims' Rights Enforceable- Support HJRCA 19

See Purple TABS above for Website Sections      

FRONT PAGE CONTENTS below:

HEADLINES

Murder victims' family members join speaking tour
around Illinois in September re: the death penalty

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MEET and GREET SOCIAL
for all Murder Victims Families in Illinois was held August 16
If you would like to join the list of homicide victims families
in attendance contact Colleen Cunningham at colleenc@ejusa.org 

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Illinois Joint Investigatory Committee on Early Release
will hold public hearings and victims are invited to testify and attend
Hearing #1: Peoria on August 11, 2010
Hearing #2: Chicago on August 25, 2010  
Contact House Minority Leader Tom Cross for information
James R Thompson Center State of Illinois Building in Chicago
16th Floor Hearing Room, Noon-2 p.m.
Links to media coverage of the hearings and powerpoints on Early Release
State issues report on the early release "mistake"

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The national RIDE FOR THEIR LIVES is coming through Illinois
Stop predators that prey on our children - Keep Kids Safe!
August 26-31   In Kankakee THIS WEEK!

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Illinois Artist Paints Portraits of Slain Children to Ease Parents Pain
http://www.ilewski.com/
She is seeking more murder victims' families to help
Contact Catholic Social Services of So IL,
8601 West Main, Suite 201, Belleville, IL 62223.

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Murder Victims Family Members sought for a national Study
To participate, please call (646) 557-4841
or email JJayhomicideresearch@yahoo.com.

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Latest Update on our Constitutional Amendment
for Enforceable Victims Rights
 which has gained broad bi-partisan support
Thanks to Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office and sponsor Rep Lou Lang
 
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SUPPORT PRISONER CENSUS ADJUSTMENT ACT

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IllinoisVictims.Org board member works to pass
new laws to help victims of mentally ill offenders
Thank Rep Ramey for his leadership for victims
See some media coverage and more media coverage

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Senators Brady and Dillard's bill to better identify
released inmates after Illinois early violent prisoner release scandal

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Chicago Tribune editorial on "Kids Killing Kids" makes excellent case
for the kind of program with offenders that really makes a difference!

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Chicago Mother of murdered son tries to solve the unsolved crime
Help change the dynamic on "snitching"

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Governor Quinn appoints new members to the PRB
Chairman Montes Resigns - No Victims Appointed

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Unable to get jobs, freed inmates return to jail
Several states are pushing inmates out of prison in early release programs
to save money. But inmates face a tough job market,
increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

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A 100-year-old pedophile and sex offender is
jailed again after parole violations

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Help stop the parole of offender convicted of
attempted murder of a police officer

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Widow of murder victim threatened by lax security at Illinois mental institutions

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Download a Flyer for the new victim organization
Sheila Doyle Foundation
that will give scholarships to children of victims of violence and
provides help getting to grief camps

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Northwestern University's Homicide History Project

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Latest Statistics from a study about homicide cases and sentencing
of convicted murderers in Illinois

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See media coverage from our first
"C Number" HOMICIDE VICTIM, and LAW ENFORCEMENT PICNIC
Download the Press Release

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Thank you, States Attorneys and Rep Fred Crespo for HB 693!
Support HANNAH'S CAMPAIGN
A young stalking victim makes a big difference
See photos of the bill signing ceremony!

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We mourn the passing of Carol McFaggen, founder of the Rockford Area
Homicide Victim Support Group is herself murdered!

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IllinoisVictims.org provides "inspiration" for important
national report on Victims' Rights from Human Rights Watch

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New Technology Helps Victims of Stalking

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The State of Illinois' Prosecutor-Based
Victim Advocate Association
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"Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence"
a great guide for families whose kids have been victims of or witnesses to violence. 

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IllinoisVictims.Org HERO
AWARD WINNERS

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Illinois COLD CASES - help police solve them!

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 Click here for news for Murder Victims' Families
if the offender in their case was under the age of 18
and sentenced to Life Without Parole in Illinois

Victim Groups and Resources
in Illinois and how to reach
the county based victim advocates

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Register for Victim Notification
or get information about
Crime Victim Compensation

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CONTACT  IllinoisVictims.Org
via email

or call 815-514-4933

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The Best Resource for
Victims of Traumatic Loss

What to Do
When the Police Leave: 
A Guide to the First
Days of Traumatic Loss

Downloadable Information

 Fact Sheet
on HJRCA 19
A Constitutional Amendment to
make Victims Rights
Enforceable in Illinois

A Handout for
Victim Advocates

"One Pager" PDF about IllinoisVictims.org

A legal brief on
Victims Rights in Illinois and
Sentencing of Offenders

Our Victims Rights Agenda

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Our Campaign to
Bring all courthouses into compliance
with Illinois Law: 
Post Our Victim's Rights

NATIONAL EVENTS

Join the FORCE 100 movement for a national Constitutional Victims Rights amendment.

IllinoisVictims.Org President
Terry Mayborne (left)
with Collene Campbell (right),
national leader of Force 100
speaking to law enforcement
in Rockford, IL - October 2009
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National Resources
for Crime Victims

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     The following are your rights as a crime victim under the Illinois Constitution:

SECTION 8.1.  CRIME VICTIM'S RIGHTS    

   (a)  Crime victims, as defined by law,   
 shall have the following rights as     provided by law:         
   (1)  The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.         
   (2)  The right to notification of court proceedings.         
   (3)  The right to communicate with the prosecution.         
   (4)  The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.         
   (5)  The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the accused.         
   (6)  The right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused.         
   (7)  The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process.         
   (8)  The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial.   
   (9)  The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victim's choice.     
   (10)  The right to restitution.

     These rights are supposed to be made
     known to all crime victims in Illinois from
     the FIRST point of contact with the  "system"      
     either police, prosecutors, victim advocates, 
     or some other public entity.

     But we know this is NOT happening,    
    consistently, or even generally.

     Educating all public employees to their legal
     and ethical obligations in this matter is vital.
     Until victims rights, protected constitutionally  
     just as the rights of the accused, are as high a    
     priority to those who respond to crime and     
     crisis, people will continue to be hurt and    
     suffer needlessly.

     Everyone knows the Miranda warnings, and    
    other trial rights for the guilty. But how many 
     people know the rights of crime victims, the
     innocents? 

     Finally, our state Constitution does not meet      
     national and international standards for enforceability
     of Victim Rights.

    Join us in the effort to bring Illinois      
    into alignment with the 9 Enforceable
    Core Constitutional Victims Rights  
    nationally.

FACEBOOK

And The IllinoisVictims.org Hero Award Goes To:

2007 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Cook County States Attorney Richard Devine

IllinoisVictims.org's first annual Victims' Hero Award was presented to Cook County States Attorney Richard Devine at press conference in his offices on Monday, October 15, 2007.  He established Cook County victim services. Shown here are the victims' family members in attendance, representing all phases of the criminal justice process:  Barbara McKee, Bill Jenkins, Betty Degnan Finn, Jeanne Bishop, Denise Reed, and Jaquie Algee. Mr. Devine stated that it will be one of his most treasured awards and that he will continue to be involved in protecting victims' rights even in his retirement.  Read Details here

Send us your nominees to receive this award

2008 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Winnebago County Victim Advocate Barbara Stone
Click Here for MEDIA coverage and more for our Second IllinoisVictims.org
HERO AWARD recipient

In attendance in Rockford were dozens of victims family members who have lost loved ones due to homicide. Barbara Stone received her award that evening from grateful victims families, with excellent media coverage. We remain grateful to the Rockford area news media for always giving victims issues excellent coverage so consistently! Barb Stone is a model Victim Advocate working in her county for the States Attorney. She goes above and beyond the call every day.

She is a true friend and not only does her job, but works proactively and at a statewide level to make sure that all victims rights are protected, and that all victims and families have support. We love you, Barb!

2009 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Dr. Peters and Northern Illinois University 
 and
For the First Time, IllinoisVictims.Org gives
select Illinois LEGISLATOR HERO AWARDS

Click Here to Read Full List of HERO LEGISLATORS
from grateful victims of violent crime in Illinois

Photo: May 13, 2009 at the Illinois State Capitol, Springfield. Breakfast for IllinoisVictims.org Legislator Hero Award Winners. Left to Right: Polly Poskin of Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, IV.Org Secretary, Dora Larson, IV.Org V-Pres, IV.Org Board, Senator Kirk Dillard (one of 59 Legislator Hero Award Winners), Terry Mayborne, IV.org President.

Inspiration for Victims

We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have  the life that is waiting for us.  - E. M. Forester

What a new face courage puts on everything.    - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as indignant as those who are."     -Solomon (635-577 B.C.)

"Hope is stronger than fear, love is greater than grief, life is mightier than death, disaster is an incident of time,
the shadows and rain of today will nourish the blossoms of tomorrow."    - Archibald Rutledge

Four things you cannot recover:
the stone . . .after the throw;
the word . . .after it's said;
the occasion . . .after it's missed;
the time . . .after it's gone.

CLICK HERE for some simple truths about simple joys; something every victim who has suffered can take some comfort in.

CLICK HERE for good advice about enjoying life's ride.

To help us remember where we fit in this very large universe, watch "The Known Universe"

Just for silly but sweet fun, watch this video of a musical cat