CCSAO Launches Victim and Witness Relocation Program with Nearly $250,000 Grant
CHICAGO – Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen Burke today announced the launch of the Victim Witness Relocation Program, a new initiative providing secure housing and relocation assistance to victims and witnesses whose safety is at risk because of their participation in the criminal justice process.
Funded in part by a $243,000 grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority's Violent Crime Witness Protection Program, the initiative will allow the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) to provide short-term relocation, permanent relocation and safety planning for eligible victims and witnesses whose cases are being prosecuted by the CCSAO. The CCSAO estimates that more than 200 victims could have benefited from relocation assistance in 2025 if a fully funded program had been available.
“One of the biggest threats victims and witnesses face when seeking justice is intimidation and fear of retaliation,” said State’s Attorney Burke. “Participating in a criminal case requires tremendous courage, and no one should have to choose between their personal safety and helping hold a violent offender accountable. This program gives us another critical tool to help victims and witnesses remain safe throughout the justice process.”
The program is particularly significant for victims of domestic violence, who may face financial or physical barriers to leaving an unsafe situation. Lost wages, housing instability, and financial dependence on an alleged abuser can make it more difficult for victims to relocate while participating in a criminal case.
Before the additional funding, the CCSAO could only support relocation services in emergency situations and in pending homicide cases. Now, the Victim Witness Relocation Program makes assistance available in all violent misdemeanor and felony cases, including cases involving domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. Financial assistance may include hotel, food, and moving and rent expenses.
With the additional funding, the CCSAO will hire a Victim Witness Relocation Specialist to administer the program, provide service referrals to community partners, and review eligibility for program participants. To be considered for relocation support, a victim or witness in a pending case must have reported a credible threat made against them or a family to law enforcement. The Victim Witness Relocation Specialist will also make assessments to determine other areas where the victim or witness may need additional support.
The new program builds on State’s Attorney Burke’s efforts to strengthen the CCSAO’s response to domestic violence, which includes the creation of a Victim Services Bureau and Special Victims Bureau. Both of these bureaus bring together prosecutors and victim witness specialists with trauma-informed training and additional resources dedicated to domestic violence, sexual assault, crimes against children, and human trafficking cases.
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