The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Act created the task force, comprised of legislators, victim service providers, and criminal justice stakeholders to examine five priority areas outlined in the Act. These included: a) systemic causes of violence against Chicago women and girls; b) methods for tracking and collecting data on this violence; c) policies and institutions related to the investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence; d) measures to reduce violence against this population; and e) measures to help impacted individuals heal. This annual report provides eight recommendations for improving policies and practices aimed at reducing gender-based violence, increasing safety, and promoting healing for victims and communities affected by violence against Chicago women and girls. Recommendations included increasing legislative support and funding for missing persons investigations, amending missing persons reporting requirements, and allocating funding for gender-based violence services. By maintaining a focus on missing and murdered women and girls, the task force aims to raise awareness and drive systemic change that will benefit victims, their families, and the broader community.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) convened the Victim Services Planning Committee (VSPC) in early 2022 to recommend victim service priority funding areas. ICJIA researchers utilized various research methods, such as secondary data analysis, a survey, and focus groups, to better understand Illinois victim service needs and gaps and presented findings to the VSPC. Both VSPC and ICJIA Board members voted to approve 12 research-informed victim service priority funding areas. Broadly, the priority areas aspire to increase victim service awareness and access; address victims’ needs; support victim-centered and -informed services; and promote service implementation, outcomes, and sustainability. These priorities will inform future grantmaking to address victim service needs and gaps in Illinois for the next several years.

Illinois Helping Everyone Access Linked Systems (HEALS) is an Office for Victims or Crime-funded initiative seeking to improve systems’ response for children, youth, and families impacted by violence. Egyptian Health Department, located in Southern Illinois, was selected as the demonstration site for HEALS program implementation and evaluation. Researchers conducted a multi-method study to better understand program implementation. In the first 19 months of implementation (September 2019-March 2021), the site served 748 clients, trained more than 75 community members, and entered into nine memoranda of understanding with partner organizations. Additionally, findings revealed strong collaborative efforts and successful service connections; 60% of surveyed Advisory Council members reported that their community worked to solve problems through collaboration and resource coordinator knowledge of the region and relationships with community agencies facilitated clients’ connection to appropriate resources and services. The report concludes with recommendations and future research directions.