VICTIM CENTERED APPROACH ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dan Didech and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois piloted free immigration counsel for 50 noncitizen victims of violent crime per year in Lake County to pursue USCIS victim remedies and stability.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Purpose

Establish a Lake County pilot program to reduce legal barriers for noncitizen victims of violent crimes by providing free immigration counseling and representation for administrative immigration “victim remedies” before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administrative body. The stated goal is to stabilize survivors’ legal and economic situations and improve access to remedies that promote safety and recovery.

Key provisions

Creates the Victim Centered Approach Pilot Program administered by the Lake County State’s Attorney.

Program obligations:

Provide counsel or representation to 50 noncitizen victims per year for five years (target: 250 clients total).
Use any funding provided to meet the above service level.

Eligibility for program assistance (all required):

Be a noncitizen victim who has never been placed in removal (deportation) proceedings.
Have suffered a violent crime in Lake County.
Not be barred from pursuing the relevant immigration remedies before the USCIS administrative body.

Scope of assistance: immigration representation before the USCIS administrative body in the filing of victim remedies (the bill names representation before the administrative body but does not enumerate specific visa categories).

County law amendment (Counties Code — Sec. 3‑9005): In counties with population over 500,000, a State’s Attorney may—without fee or special appointment—act as counsel in an immigration case for a noncitizen victim only if the victimization occurred within and the victim is located within the geographic boundaries of that county.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: noncitizen victims of violent crime in Lake County who meet the eligibility criteria.

Implementing office: Lake County State’s Attorney (responsible for program development, representation, and use of funding).

Local governments/counties: counties with populations >500,000 gain express statutory authority limiting State’s Attorney representation to victims within the county boundaries.

USCIS and federal administrative processes may see increased filings or legal submissions from the pilot.

Timing and implementation

Pilot duration and service target: 50 clients per year for five years beginning after program start (bill language ties services to any funding provided).

Enacted June 20, 2025 (filed without Governor’s signature); statutory effective date: September 1, 2025.

The bill does not specify an appropriation amount; the Lake County State’s Attorney is to use “any funding provided” to deliver the specified level of services.

Potential impacts and considerations

Improves access to immigration remedies for qualifying noncitizen victims, potentially increasing successful filings for victim-based relief and improving victim safety and stability.

Program capacity is explicitly limited (50 clients/year); demand could exceed capacity.

Fiscal impact depends on whether and how much funding is provided to the pilot; no specific funding mechanism or source is designated in the bill.

The restriction that eligible individuals must not have been placed in removal proceedings may exclude some vulnerable victims from assistance.

Bill