FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 12, 2024
Rose endorses expansion of the crime victim compensation program
Sometimes, victims of crime need and deserve more than just their day in court.
That is why, says Chuck Rose, Democratic candidate for DeKalb County State’s Attorney, he welcomed the news this week that new legislation signed into law expands Illinois’ Crime Victim Compensation Program.
“In my experience, I have learned how important it is to many survivors of violent crime that they get the opportunity to confront their attacker in court,” says Rose who tried hundreds of cases during his years as an assistant state’s attorney in DeKalb and JoDaviess Counties. “However, that is often only part of what they need to recover from the physical and emotional trauma of having been victimized by sexual violence, domestic violence and other devastating crimes so I applaud this expansion of the Crime Victim Compensation Program.”
Rose, of Sycamore, is the only candidate in the race for DeKalb County State’s attorney with experience as a prosecutor. He spent five years as an assistant state’s attorney in DeKalb County in the 1990s. He left DeKalb County to take the position of first assistant state’s attorney in Jo Daviess County. For more than three years he prosecuted all criminal cases in Jo Daviess and helped advise the county board on legal matters.
Prior to that, Rose spent eight years in local law enforcement, five years as a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy and three with local police departments and the North Central Narcotics Task Force. If elected he will be the first DeKalb County state’s attorney to have worn a badge.
Since 1998, Rose has worked as an advocate for children and adults with disabilities, first at the Illinois Guardianship Advocacy Commission and then in private practice. He has also spent many years teaching law courses at Kishwaukee College and Elgin Community College.
“I believe that broad range of experience better prepares me to step into the job of DeKalb County State’s Attorney and effectively represent the people of DeKalb County from Day One,” Rose says. Among Rose’s priorities, if elected, will be pursuing tougher sentences for criminals, speeding up the time from arrest to trial and more effectively supporting victims of violent crime.
The Victim Compensation Program allows survivors of violent crime to receive help paying for the unreimbursed costs of medical care, mental health care, funeral costs and other expenses. It also helps cover relocation expenses and lost wages related to the crime. The new legislation makes it easier for more individuals to qualify and receive compensation through the program.
“I believe that ensuring that victims of violent crime are aware of and encouraged to participate in things like the Crime Victim Compensation Program is an important part of the state’s attorney’s job,” Rose said . “Reducing the financial burden on survivors allows them to focus on healing from the trauma the victimization has caused.”
Doing so helps build a stronger community, Rose said.
“We have an obligation to not just prosecute crimes, but to also make survivors aware of services available to help them move past the trauma of being the victim of a violent crime. Expanding the law to cover all forms of loss and suffering helps build a more comprehensive and empathetic justice system. Simply put, it is the right thing to do. I applaud the attorney general, the governor and all the legislators who made this happen,” Rose added.
For more information on services for crime victims or to report a violation of victims’ rights, please call the Attorney General’s Crime Victims Assistance Line at 1-800-228-3368 or visit the Illinois Attorney General's website.