Welcome to the Victim Witness Unit assistance page as a part of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The Victim Witness Unit serves more than 100,000 victims and witnesses annually.
The Victim Witness Unit is dedicated to supporting and advocating for victims and witnesses of crimes throughout Cook County. Our goal is to provide compassionate assistance, ensure rights are protected, guide victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process, and provide information on outside resources and support.
Services
The Victim Witness Unit helps victims and witness navigate the criminal justice system by:
- Working in Juvenile court and Domestic Violence court; specialized teams work with felony Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence cases
- Addressing specific needs of the disabled, LGBTQ+ and senior communities with specialists trained in the community resources and issues relating to these underserved populations
- Providing guidance for victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system in 15 Cook County locations including - court orientation, information on the Illinois Bill of Rights for Crime Victims and Witnesses and necessary support and referrals
- Providing special courtroom tours for children and parents can be scheduled in advance of the court date in order to familiarize the victims and witnesses with the room in which they will later testify
- Supporting with drafting Victim Impact Statements
- Intervening on behalf of the victims and witnesses with landlords, employers and schools
- Assisting families in seeking counseling, safety planning, and financial assistance for costs related to their victimization
- Hosting homicide survivor support groups.
Contact information
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Unit
2650 S. California Ave. – 1st Floor
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 674-7200