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Archive for October, 2024

Compensation for Child Victims: Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program

October 29th, 2024   No Comments   Uncategorized

 By: Julianna Walo, Esquire 

As a dedicated attorney at Justice for Kids, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound and lasting impact that violent crimes can have on children within the child welfare system. The trauma endured by these young victims often brings unexpected changes to their lives. While no amount of money can erase this trauma, the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program offers a crucial lifeline for healing and recovery. 

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Illinois Expands ‘Family’ Definition in Foster Care: Relative Placements Rise, Support Challenges Emerge

October 27th, 2024   No Comments   Advocacy, Foster Care

 By: Julianna Walo, Esquire 

The number of foster children being placed with relatives in Illinois has been steadily climbing over the last decade. The passage of a new state law is expected to fuel the trend. Under the Fictive Kin Law, passed in 2015, Illinois expanded the definition of family to include individuals unrelated by birth or marriage who have developed close ties to the child or the child’s family. Those individuals include close family friends, godparents, step-relatives, or a relative’s spouse or partner from a civil union. In Illinois, relatives and fictive kin are not required to be licensed — and few of them are. That trend has implications for the amount of financial assistance the families get. 

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ABC News: Foster parents of several Turpin siblings sentenced on child abuse charges

October 21st, 2024   No Comments   Abuse

Foster parents who took in several children after they were rescued from previous abuse were sentenced on child abuse charges on October 18. It’s been an unimaginable, tragic course of events for the Turpin children whose parents severely abused them. The siblings were rescued from their home only to face more trauma.

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Howard Talenfeld profiled in AAJ Trial Magazine

October 4th, 2024   No Comments   Advocacy, News & Events

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) spotlighted Justice for Kids co-leader Howard Talenfeld in the October issue of Trial Magazine. Read the article below to learn why Howard was selected as the recipient of the AAJ’s 2024 Trial Lawyers Care Award.

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