HJ0024 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0024 LRB096 03164 RLC 13181 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund was authorized by Congress in 1984 pursuant to the Victims of Crime Act to assist with the operation of federal, state, and local crime victim programs; the Fund is funded primarily by the fines, assessments, and fees imposed on federal offenders and not from taxpayers' dollars; and

WHEREAS, The VOCA Fund, in turn, is distributed through formula grants to all 50 states for (1) victim assistance programs, (2) victim compensation programs, and (3) training and technical assistance to victim service providers; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 3.8 million victims of all types of crime receive services from 4,400 service agencies per year through the victim assistance programs and hundreds of thousands of victims receive help through the victim compensation programs, all as a result of the VOCA Fund's existence; the Fund provides invaluable assistance with services through a number of public and non-profit entities including the provision of crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transportation, counseling, and criminal justice advocacy, the payment of medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, and mental health related costs; and

WHEREAS, State and local prosecutors rely heavily upon the VOCA Fund for the development and implementation of victim services programs which, in part, notify victims of court proceedings, transport victims to court, assist victims with the completion of victim impact statements, provide notification of offenders' release dates, assist victims in recovering restitution, and work closely with victims of gang violence, domestic abuse, and child and elder abuse to provide a support system for those who must deal not only with intimidation from offenders or third parties but often with their own special needs; and

WHEREAS, It is critical that federal assistance with state and local victim assistance and compensation programs remain available due to the recent budget cuts at the state and local levels; and

WHEREAS, The intent of Congress, expressed during the authorization and appropriation of the VOCA Fund, was that a stable source of funding remain available for the purpose of assisting states with the provision of victims' services; and

WHEREAS, The impact of the rescission would be devastating to victims of crime; negatively impact the ability of state and local prosecutors to carry out their duties as mandated; and impair the functioning of the criminal justice system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the Congressional members of the State of Illinois and the entire United States Congress to continue funding victim assistance and compensation programs and continue funding programs for training and technical assistance to victim service providers through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund which we find to be a very worthwhile cause; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the Illinois Congressional delegation and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.