Probation Fees Fund Crime Victim's Services Fund In Lake County

WAUKEGAN, IL — Lake County courts have collected enough money from probation fees for its crime victim's services fund to begin issuing grants.

Starting a dozen years ago, the 19th Judicial Circuit began collecting $2 a month out of probation fees paid by people convicted of crimes and depositing it in the recently created fund.

Grants are now available to non-profits, local government agencies and agencies providing services within Lake County, court officials announced Wednesday. The maximum funding amount is $50,00 although the chief judge may approve exceptions.

"While justice is served within the confines of the courtroom, the victims of these crimes have not always had their needs and concerns met," Chief Judge Mark Levitt said in a statement. "These individuals require support, and with this funding, local agencies will have the ability to request resources to sustain existing programs or implement new services for the victims of crime."

Last August, former Chief Judge Diane Winter issued an administrative order creating a crime victim's services fund committee composed of four judges and four court staffers.

That committee has been charged with coming up with procedures for identifying groups that help crime victims, inviting qualified ones to apply for money, review applications and make recommendations to the chief judge.

The current fund balance is just over $415,000, according to a court spokesperson.

Grant funds can be used for new programming, improvements to existing programs or capital projects, according to court representatives. All requests must be pre-approved by the committee, and reimbursement of qualified expenses is the circuit's preferred form of grant funding.

More information about the grant funding opportunities and how to apply is available online. Applications are due by March 1 and grants will be awarded by May 1.