APPLYING FOR VICTIM COMPENSATION

The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program reimburses victims of violent crimes for injury-related expenses. How it works:

Who can apply: Victims of a violent crime in Illinois or their family members. You have two years from the date of the crime to file a claim, must have reported the crime to police within 72 hours — one week in the case of a sex crime — and must cooperate with the police and with analysts from the program. You’ll need records to verify expenses not covered by insurance. What’s covered: Expenses including funeral costs, relocation, mental health counseling and income loss. This is a reimbursement program that can cover costs you already have paid for.

How much can you get: Up to $27,000, though there are caps on certain types of services. Funeral cost reimbursements, for example, are limited to $7,500.

How to apply: The application is available on the Illinois attorney general’s office website, at https://ag.state.il.us/victims/ cvc.html, which has video explainers in English and Spanish to guide you step-bystep through the process. If you need help filling out the application, victims advocate organization that can assist you include Resilience, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago and Metropolitan Family Services. You can mail your application to the attorney general’s office or submit it online. How long will it take: The process can take several months. If approved, the reimbursement will go to you or directly to a funeral home or other vendor you owe money to.

More information: Call the state’s toll-free Crime Victims Assistance Line at (800) 228-3368. A text talk line is available at (877) 398-1130.