Marsy’s Law for Illinois Presents “Champion of Victims’ Rights” Award to DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin

 
 

“BOB BERLIN WAS INSTRUMENTAL TO ENSURING THE LANGUAGE IN THE ILLINOIS VERSION OF MARSY’S LAW MADE SENSE FOR OUR STATE AND WOULD RESULT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND THOSE WHO WORK WITH THEM,” SAID JENNIFER BISHOP JENKINS, STATE DIRECTOR FOR MARSY'S LAW FOR ILLINOIS.

WHEATON – Earlier this afternoon, Marsy’s Law for Illinois presented DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin with the organization’s Champion of Victims’ Rights Award for his “long-standing commitment to empowering crime victims.”

“Bob Berlin was instrumental to ensuring the language in the Illinois version of Marsy’s Law made sense for our state and would result in the best possible outcomes for crime victims and those who work with them,” said Jennifer Bishop Jenkins, state director for Marsy's Law for Illinois. “He and his office have continued to take a trauma-informed approach to helping victims navigate the criminal justice system including his latest innovation of adding a facility dog to his office. It is my honor to recognize DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s many years of outstanding work on behalf of crime victims with this well-deserved award. He is, indeed, a true Champion of Victims’ Rights.”

Bishop Jenkins pointed to the following as some of the reasons for Berlin to receive the award:

  • Berlin was a leading presence in the long process that resulted in the passage of Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution, known as Marsy’s Law, approved overwhelmingly by Illinois voters November of 2014. Berlin worked behind the scenes to both challenge and clarify, focus, strengthen, and refine components of the Marsy's Law language.

  • The DuPage County States Attorney's Office has placed a strong emphasis on victim services and enforcement of victims' rights. Distinctively, Berlin and his staff have placed an emphasis on educating crime victims about their right to obtain restitution for the crimes committed against them, where appropriate.

  • The DuPage County States Attorney's Office has been a strong advocate for the rights of victims of domestic violence in particular, working especially in orders of protection to keep them safe.

  • The DuPage County States Attorney's Office has distinguished themselves this year with the addition of a facility dog especially geared towards victims of crime who are children.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said: “On behalf of my entire office, I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from Marsy’s Law for Illinois. Treating crime victims with the dignity and respect they deserve has been and always will be a top priority for me and my team.”

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Daniel Szczesny