A suburban Chicago woman is pushing to change a state law so that victims of violent crimes would get an attorney for free. Denise Rotheimer of Ingleside has worked for years to amend Illinois' Rights of Crime Victim and Witnesses Act.
The measure is designed to protect and enforce crime victims' rights throughout the criminal justice process. But Rotheimer says the act doesn't do enough. Rotheimer began her advocacy after prosecutors offered reduced prison time to a man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her daughter.
The proposed legislation is expected to be discussed in the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee in late November.
