RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the problem of domestic violence afflicts families and individuals in every walk of life, transcending racial, ethnic, cultural and economic divisions; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that nationwide domestic violence helplines receive over 20,000 telephone calls per day; and
WHEREAS, it is also estimated that every year in this country there are over 10 million incidents of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, despite its prevalence, domestic violence remains the most under-reported crime in America; and
WHEREAS, October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, during which all Americans are asked to overcome their reluctance to deal with the problem of domestic violence by becoming more informed about the extent of domestic violence and appropriate societal responses to it; and
WHEREAS, numerous advocacy organizations have been established to provide legal services, emergency shelter and social services to victims of domestic violence in and around Chicago; and
WHEREAS, one of the services available to a victim of domestic violence is an order of protection, issued by the local court, to confer legal protection on the victim and to impose limits on actions of the abuser; and
WHEREAS, the Circuit Court of Cook County has acted admirably, opening a courthouse devoted to domestic violence cases, and also dedicating courtrooms at various other locations to domestic violence cases; and
WHEREAS, in spite of the resources now available, there is currently no assured way for a victim of domestic violence to obtain an order of protection during overnight hours and on weekends, when most courtrooms are closed; and
WHEREAS, the publicized and sure availability of relief in the Circuit Court would be of great assistance to victims of domestic violence; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council, through its Committee on Finance, conduct hearings into the extent of domestic violence in the City of Chicago, and the availability of resources to address the problem; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the hearings give special consideration to the need for one or more 24-hour courtrooms within the City of Chicago to hear domestic violence cases and to provide an order of protection to victims of domestic violence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the hearings also explore ways in which City resources and the services of the Circuit Court can be better coordinated in order to address the problem of domestic violence more effectively;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that social service agencies, advocacy groups, representatives ofthe Circuit Court of Cook County, representatives of the Cook County government, the State's Attorney of Cook County and appropriate City departments be invited to provide informed testimony on the use of available resources and the need for additional resources to deal with the problem of domestic violence in Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution be delivered to the Honorable Timothy Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Honorable Anita Alvarez, State's Attorney of Cook County, and to the Honorable Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County.
Margaret Laurino Alderman, 39th Ward
Deborah L. Graham
Alderman, 29th Ward