Manley-Backed Legislation Providing Resources to Crime Victims Signed into Law

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – As part of her efforts to support survivors of crimes, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, helped pass legislation that was recently signed into law by Gov. Pritzker to provide additional funds to victims of violent crimes and their families who incurred financial costs as a result of the crime.

“With the harm and trauma that survivors have to face after being victims of a violent crime, it should not fall solely on them to deal with the financial burden from something that was not their fault,” said Manley. “Survivors should be able to focus on recovering, not worrying about how they will pay for hospital bills or other expenses.”

Manley voted in favor of House Bill 3295, which passed both chambers with unanimous support. The law expands the Illinois Attorney General’s Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) program to ensure survivors of crimes are being supported during their recovery. The expansion includes increasing the maximum payout to those who are victims of a crime committed after Aug. 6, 2022 to $45,000 from $27,000, as well as allowing funds to be used for funeral and burial costs.

Throughout her time in the General Assembly, Manley has worked to provide support and resources to those who have been victims of crime. This session, she co-sponsored legislation that creates easy-to-carry cards containing information that keeps survivors of domestic violence safe from their abuser. She has also worked to prevent crimes from happening by increasing penalties to violent offenders, introducing legislation that would require those convicted of battery to register as a sex-offender if the crime was sexually motivated.

“It is our responsibility to ensure survivors are not made to face the many difficulties of recovering from being a victim of a crime alone,” said Manley. “This legislation is just one part of my fight to ensure survivors have the support they deserve, and I look forward to continuing my efforts to make sure no one is left behind.”