State’s Attorney Burke established the Victim Services Bureau (VSB) in 2026 in recognition of the critical support that victims and witnesses of crime deserve as they navigate the justice system. The VSB includes more than 80 Victim Specialists with a wide range of expertise, certifications, and specialized education. Nearly 20% of Victim Specialists have mental health licenses while others have deep experience in forensic psychology, counseling, and legal and domestic violence advocacy. Stationed at each of our eight courthouse locations, our Victim Specialists also have extensive trauma-informed training to assist victims and witnesses as they relive some of the most painful experiences of their lives.
Our Victim Specialists can connect victims and witnesses with essential resources such as counseling, safety planning, and transportation to court through a partnership with Uber. Our Victim Specialists are also highly trained to provide victims and witnesses with information on their rights and a comprehensive courtroom orientation. The VSB is committed to providing individualized, expert support through every step of the court process as the CCSAO seeks justice on behalf of victims, witnesses, and residents of Cook County.
What to Expect
Once a case is charged, a Victim Specialist will reach out to provide notification about First Appearance Court, the legal process, additional information on victims' rights, and offer supportive referrals. After a case is assigned to a courtroom, victims will receive support from their Victim Specialist throughout the duration of the criminal case. If you're unsure who your Victim Specialist is, please reach out to our CCSAO location where the case is located or reach out directly to Victim Services at 773-674-7200 and we can direct you to your Victim Specialist.
For immigration related services, please contact sao.immigration@cookcountysao.org.
Comfort Animals
The VSB is home to two facility dogs who are available to provide comfort and moral support to victims and witnesses.
DuoDog Hatty, an eight-year-old Labrador retriever, was CCSAO’s first court dog and has been based at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse since 2019. Hatty has special training that allows her to join victims and witnesses as they testify. She frequently assists children who are the victims of crime, as well as adults who have experienced trauma and those with cognitive disabilities.
Ruthie, a two-year-old golden retriever, is based at the Domestic Violence Courthouse to support victims and witnesses of crimes as they meet with prosecutors. Ruthie is specially trained to provide comfort and relieve stress for individuals who have experienced trauma.
Services Provided
Victim Specialists in the VSB meet with victims and witnesses of crime and stay in contact throughout the duration of a case to ensure they remain informed throughout the entire process. Our Victim Specialists can assist in the following ways:
Victim advocacy
To protect the interests of crime victims and witnesses in Illinois, the General Assembly passed the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act in 1984. Subsequently, in 1992, the statutory rights afforded to victims and witnesses of violent crime were amended to our state’s Bill of Rights. The Act affords victims and witnesses the right to be treated with respect, fairness, and dignity.
A victim statement allows victims and their families to participate by giving them a voice in the post-conviction process – at sentencing or plea hearings – and sharing the impact the crime has had on them.
The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program provides financial assistance to offset costs victims may incur after experiencing violent crime, such as loss of earnings, relocation costs, medical expenses, and funeral/burial expenses.
Support for vulnerable victim populations
Provide specialized mental health support for victims experiencing acute trauma symptoms through an in-house team of Mental Health Victim Specialists.
Ensure child sexual assault victims have direct support from a VSB Child Sexual Assault Victim Specialist.
Advocate for domestic violence victims throughout the prosecution process with a VSB Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Specialist.
Facilitate potential relocation to safe housing for victims and witnesses whose safety is at risk while engaging in the prosecution of violent crime.
Provide free Uber rides to court for domestic violence victims experiencing transit barriers.
Second language support
A third of VSB staff are bilingual in additional languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Polish, and American Sign Language, and can provide translation assistance.
Arrange for language interpreter services through virtual and phone interpretation services in 300+ languages.
Visa support for victims
Certify U-Visa applications for victims of crime to provide temporary relief from immigration enforcement.
Connect victims with the Special Victims Bureau’s Trafficking Unit to certify T-Visas for victims of human trafficking.
Coordinate holistic support
Connect victims with services and support across all bureaus in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Provide referrals for victims to community-based services.