Voting Pro-Victim

We urge everyone to vote~ nothing opens us up more for victimization than apathy.

We urge you to vote for those elected officials that prioritize the needs of victims of crime. Since nothing matters more in protecting the interests of victims of crime, and therefore the whole public, than to elect leaders who will make sound public policy, we vetted and endorsed candidates in many local and state races on only the issue of victims rights and concerns.

We have found, not at all coincidentally we believe, that those elected "pro-victim" officials that prioritize the needs of crime victims are also usually the best leaders on a whole host of other issues. They care about public safety, crime prevention, and helping those who have been hurt through no fault of their own - the voiceless, the innocent, the injured. These are usually the best leaders because they are the ones best able to balance the interests of a healthy, compassionate, stable society with sound public policy and capable and effective government.

We do not take these endorsements lightly. We investigate their positions on issues of interest to crime victims only, however. We place their names here only if they or their staff request it, or if we have seen them take extraordinary leadership on victims issues. We vet their policies on many of the issues covered on this entire website, but primarily for their stand on carrying out the Victims Rights Amendment to the Illinois Constitution and their policies regarding crime prevention, criminal justice, and victim services.

These endorsements are not based at all on political party and we have supported members of both parties below. We make these endorsements only when first hand information assures us of their commitment to work to prevent crime, and therefore more victimization; as well as their promises to give resources and a respected voice to the victims of crime in areas of victims rights concerns.

We will endorse more than one candidate in a race if they are both very good on victims issues and we become aware of that either by them seeking our endorsement or through their high profile work for victims.

Since we are an all-volunteer organization with no charitable tax status to worry about, and we are beholden to no one, taking no money, we get to call these races the way we see them!

These websites provide early voting locations and election day polling locations. The election authority websites for Cook County are:

City of Chicago: www.chicagoelections.com

Barack Obama - Illinois' own very talented Senator has been long a friend of those who have been victimized, and his record on prevention issues is stellar. He worked harder and more successfully on criminal justice reform than most anyone in Illinois legislative history.

Richard Durbin - Illinois' giant of an incumbent Senator, who has risen, quite rightly, to high leadership in the US Senate. He is smart, capable, dedicated to violence prevention, protection of our natural resources, and sound policies across the board that make for a safe and healthier society. He consistently supports issues of concern to victims and works to protect funding and access for victims as well.

This bright young star ran with violence prevention as his top issue. He will stand up to the gun lobby and place public safety first.

Beth Coulson ranks as the most dedicated state representative we have ever seen on victim issues. Never before have we seen an elected official who would work harder to protect a victim constituent of hers to protect their rights and their interests. Wise and expert on public health issues, moderate and respected on all sides of the aisle, we are grateful for her leadership.

The challenger in this race Daniel Biss is also good on victims issues, is very talented, bright and caring, and would stand for sound public policy in Springfield.

Smart, strong, wise and common sense, we highly recommend that this dedicated public servant be given the seat over a man whose personal record and judgment has been shown to be questionable. Amanda is dedicated to prevention issues and cares deeply for those who have been victimized.

This incredibly bright and well informed former prosecutor not only always votes for victims, and speaks out for them when they face a tough fight against pro-prisoner forces in Springfield, he also listens, helps and is incredibly generous with his time to attend hearings and do the long hard work of advocating for victims in complex legislative processes.

Bob Rita has voted consistently for working families, for public safety, and for victims. When he stood up to the powerful lobbyist because they wanted him to vote against public safety, he distinguished himself.

Not only has Rep. Rose sponsored legislation to help victims who face tremendous agony dealing with the Prisoner Review board, but he has consistently stood up for victims when legislation that threatens to lighten the sentences of their offenders is proposed without their knowledge or input. Every time victims have needed an advocate in Springfield, Rep Rose has been there.

Himself a crime victim first moved to public service when he was mugged at gunpoint, this talented young Senator has already distinguished himself as a leading proponent of violence prevention measures.

This expert in finance matters and human rights stands consistently for sound public policy and public safety. We are grateful for a man of Jeff's gifts in public office.

Ms Alvarez has been a good prosecutor and has consistently prioritized victims issues. Her opponent Mr. Peraica is actually a very bad choice in that some of his policies would actually increase crime, hate, conflict, and victimization. The contrast between them could not be more glaring.

Races where we recommend you write in a NO VOTE on any candidate because all on the ballot for that race are anti-victim

This state Rep actually told a 78 year gracious mother of a murder victim that she needed to "get over her self" and that she did not care about the victims of crime, only the criminals serving the sentence. This mother came to ask that Rep Collins not support a bill that would have forced her to spend the rest of her life going to parole hearings to fight the release of the killer of her daughter, son in law, and unborn grandchild murdered by a brutal killer serving three life without parole sentences. Never have we seen an elected official behave more unprofessionally.

Will is running against incumbent Rep Elga Jeffries who sold victims out this year by casting one of the most indefensible votes we have seen, voting against background checks for criminals who want to try to get guns. Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, Will Burns is making crime and violence prevention the top issue in his campaign, and he has sought out the support of victims. He has a good history of experience getting things done as a staffer in the Senate. He is bright and talented and came to victims before most any other group as he was building his campaign. He has stated over and over it is his top priority. We believe that defeating Ms. Jeffries in the primary is vital for victims and the public as a whole and that Will has a good chance to do just that.

Paul Chadha for Illinois House of Representatives - also 26th House District - lost to Will Burns

Paul is an attorney and law professor at Northwestern University School of Law who is also a candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 26th District. He works with victims of domestic abuse and rape. He has a long history of working with women in difficult situations, helping them navigate the criminal and civil justice system to make sure that they rights as victims are protected. Victims rights are very important to him. Paul has an impressive life and career and a bright future. Just one of his positive projects are for African Children - see the Awassa Childrens Project - We applaud Paul for his efforts for crime victims.

Elizabeth Coulson for the Illinois House of Representatives - 17th House District - uncontested in primary

Beth is seeking re-election in her northern suburban district. We have never known a state rep who was more willing to take extensive personal time to help just one crime victim who came to her for help. She is a hero to us and is one of the most respected voices in the Illinois legislature. She is a bridge builder, and can work effectively on both sides of the aisle. We hope she never leaves office. If every crime victim had as an advocate a state representative with this level of dedication and talent, we would not need victims' rights grassroots groups like ours.

We met the victim advocate for Union County and are so impressed with their work on behalf of crime victims in this part of Illinois. Allen W. James is the current States Attorney for Union County. He has done a great amount of work towards victims rights. They have made it an office goal to strive towards victim notification and to increase victim awareness and involvement in the court process. They have had great feedback from the public. They have wonderful programs that they do each year to bring resources, attention, and support to victims. This website urges support for him in upcoming campaigns.

Dan Kotowski for the State Senate - 33rd Senate District - uncontested in the primary

We strongly support Dan for re-election in the Park Ridge area. A crime victim himself, few members of the Illinois General Assembly will do more for victims than he is already doing. Dan is the hardest working legislator we know and he already proved to be an effective leader on crime prevention and victims issues in his first term. Dan has been already the recipient of awards from several different quarters for his impressive first term where his enthusiasm and dedication have won him a great deal of respect.

Amy Sue Mertens for the Illinois State Senate 5th District - lost to incumbent Senator Hendon

Amy Sue is running in the primary against incumbent State Senator Ricky Hendon, who this year led the removal of a leading victim advocate and law enforcement voice on the Prisoner Review Board. While Hendon has a good record on many other issues, he is becoming known for being a insider power-broker and somewhat threatening in some of his deal-making. He was heard making inappropriate comments to a woman legislator on the floor of the General Assembly. And in the key appointment to the Prisoner Review Board, he showed he is not a consistent friend to crime victims. Ms. Mertens is a very exciting candidate who reminds us of Lisa Madigan in many ways - she is extremely bright, has demonstrated incredible integrity, and a fierce dedication to justice, law, public safety and wise public policy. A rising star for Illinois and the better choice. We know Amy Sue has a bright future.

Barack Obama for President of the United States - WON! the Illinois primary, is currently leading nationally in delegates for the nomination

Senator Obama has been working for the best interests of crime victims ever since his early days as an organizer in Chicago. Though the Democratic field for President is deep with talent, this man stands out above all others when it comes to the closest understanding of the needs of crime victims, having worked extensively and directly on criminal justice reform issues for many years at the state level, which is where most victim issues lie legally. And his stand on prevention issues is near perfect. He and his family have worked closely with victims of crime for years, and having one of Illinois' finest minds in the White House would do all of us a great deal of good. Our views on the Presidency are not based on partisanship, but we have not seen any Republican presidential candidates who have come out for violence prevention at the levels needed to prevent the significant amounts of victimization in this nation. Preventing violence and victimization has been a consistent theme among several Democratic candidates. And with runaway deficit spending on a horrific waste of a war, vitally needed funds that can go to the needs of the injured in our nation are being wasted.

Robert (Bob) Rita for Illinois State Representative to the 28th District - WON!

Bob Rita has voted consistently for working families, for public safety, and for victims. Because he placed the interests of families public safety over the politically destructive and dangerous policies of the gun lobby and corrupt union leadership, he now faces opposition. A vote to re-elect Bob Rita is a vote that keeps all of us safe from corruption and violence.

Jeff Schoenberg for Illinois State Senate 9th District -- uncontested in the primary

Dan Seals in the 10th Congressional District Race - WON! - will now face Kirk in the fall general election

Dan is an incredible up and coming talent who has been meeting and consulting with victims since the first days of his candidacy. Congress needs him - badly. Incumbent Congressman Mark Kirk has sold us out to the powerful monied lobbies who profit off of risks to public safety more times than we can count. Kirk has got to go. Dan Seals embodies responsible public policy on every issue we can think of. Dan Seals will be a star for Illinois in Congress.

Larry Suffredin for Cook County States Attorney - lost in a very crowded field to Anita Alvarez, also very good on victims issues. We commend Ms Alvarez for mentioning the concerns of victims so often in her race.

Larry is currently a Cook County Commissioner, and we strongly supported this wise and good man to replace retiring "Hero to Victims" Richard Devine in the Cook County States Attorney race - Larry is one of the absolute best politicians we know and is a true "man of the people" who will expand even more the problem-solving abilities of this office. This job is vital for victims in Illinois. Larry has already issued innovative new statements of plans to improve and prioritize victims services in the county. He has already campaigned on several issues raised on this website and has adopted our mantra that victims services should be tied to the needs of the victim and not the status of the offender.

There are many good candidates in this race, including true friends to victims of crime like Bob Milan and Anita Alvarez, already on staff in the Cook County States Attorney office. We also great admire these talented and wonderful professionals, and know that they have a tremendous future in front of them. We would also support both of these fine prosecutors based on their commitment to victims issues.

Eddie Winters for Illinois State Legislature for the 10th House District - lost to incumbent Rep Annazette Collins

Mr. Winters is a Chicago Police officer, dedicated to helping victims of crime. He is running in the primary to challenge incumbent Annazette Collins, the most openly anti-victim legislator we have ever met. We think this story tells it better than anything else could: In May of this year at the State Capitol in Springfield, Representative Annazette Collins agreed to meet with a representative of IllinoisVictims.org and a 78 year old mother of a murdered pregnant 25 year old daughter. This mother came to Rep Collins, concerned that the killer might someday get out because of legislation Rep. Collins was supporting (HB 1695). The mother was told in the most disdainful voice (we were actually shocked!) while Rep. Collins flipped her hand at the mother's face, "I don't care about the victims! Get over yourself! Get on with your life! I only care about these kids (in jail)." Later, when the brave mother was testifying before Rep. Collins committee about the difficult burdens on victims this bill would place, Ms. Collins turned away from the mother and took out her cosmetics case and began to put on makeup, turning her back on the room. Her unprofessional conduct towards this victims family, in this and other incidents got her reported to state legislative leadership. Eddie Winters has committed much of his personal time to community organizing and activism. Eddie�s dedication and continued support of charitable and volunteer organizations has earned him awards from the James Jordan Foundation, CEASEFIRE and the National Council of Negro Women. Eddie lives with his wife and 8-year old son on the near west side. As a 13-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, Eddie Winters has made the safety and well being of this community his personal responsibility. Currently Eddie serves his community as a police sergeant, working hard everyday to prevent and stop gang violence in our neighborhoods.

If you have other candidates or races in Illinois that you would like to see endorsed on this website, contact us.