ILLINOIS SURVIVORS SUPPORT HB3582
Ever wonder why survivor families in Illinois often have to fundraise on GoFundMe after our loved ones are injured or killed? Because, even though there are federal funds to support us in the wake of violence, current Illinois state law to distribute those funds is outdated and flawed, and contains two major barriers that lead to most of the victims compensation claims being denied, including mine: police cooperation and ‘contributory harm’.
Let’s talk about police cooperation.
MY SON WAS ON THE GROUND DYING FROM HIS GUNSHOT WOUNDS WHEN POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.
He died shortly after in the ER.
The Illinois Court of Claims determined my son was “uncooperative” because the police reported they did not get an adequate response from him while he was bleeding to death in the snow.
Yes. Read that again. Under current Illinois law, police cooperation – even at the moment of death – is required in order for surviving families to receive victims compensation in Illinois. This is just one example of how the ‘police cooperation’ barrier operates. Many more stories exist and have led to the disproportionate denial of victims compensation for Black and brown survivors and families.
HB3653 can change this reality.
Survivors advocated for #HB3582. We look forward to Governor Priztker signing it into law.
#SURVIVORSSPEAK
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