State's Attorney Bob Berlin of DuPage County was honored with the "Champion of Victims' Rights" award by Marsy's Law for Illinois this afternoon, in recognition of his dedicated efforts in supporting crime victims. The organization, which advocates for the legal rights of crime victims, lauded Berlin for his pivotal work on the Illinois version of Marsy's Law—an amendment to the state constitution aimed at enhancing the protections and rights of victims.
In a statement obtained by DuPage County's website, Jennifer Bishop Jenkins, the state director for Marsy's Law for Illinois, praised Berlin for his "long-standing commitment to empowering crime victims." Jenkins highlighted that Berlin was a driving force behind the detailed crafting and eventual passage of Marsy’s Law in November 2014, which now solidly stands as part of the Illinois Constitution.
Berlin's approach to justice has consistently emphasized victim services and their rights, including the push for proper education on the right to restitution where applicable. In particular, Berlin's advocacy extends profoundly towards the victims of domestic violence, strategically implementing orders of protection to secure their safety. According to DuPage County's announcement, 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."
This year, the DuPage County State’s Attorney's Office has notably brought in a facility dog, aimed at providing comfort to children who are victims of crime—a move that further solidifies their commitment to a trauma-informed approach in handling cases. The innovative inclusion of a canine companion is meant to aid young victims dealing with the stressful environments often associated with the criminal justice process.
