Inaugural Domestic Violence Summit leads into DV Awareness Month | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

By Marcia M. Meis, Director, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

As we leave summer behind and move into the fall season, I take this opportunity to acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month which is observed every October.

Domestic violence has considerable impact on our courts, intersecting with civil, family, criminal, and juvenile cases. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (750 ILCS 60/101 et seq.) provides the foundation for the courts’ ability to provide relief for survivors and accountability and rehabilitation for those causing harm. Procedural fairness is key in all cases, and it is particularly important in domestic violence cases. While achieving procedural fairness in domestic violence cases is certainly a complex endeavor due to safety concerns, the impact of trauma, and the challenges of a high percentage of self-represented litigants, it pays potentially huge dividends when it leads to better compliance with court orders and survivors feeling supported by the court system.

At its November 2022 Term, the Illinois Supreme Court established the Supreme Court Committee on Domestic Violence, chaired by the Hon. Jennifer Clifford, 17^th Judicial Circuit and vice chair, Hon. Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, 18^th Judicial Circuit. In addition to the creation of the Committee, the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College continues to provide training for judges and justice partners on domestic violence. Highlighted below are some of the key initiatives of the Judicial Branch in addressing domestic violence.

• Inaugural Summit on Domestic Violence: The Supreme Court Committee on Domestic Violence, in collaboration with the Illinois Judicial College and its Standing Committees, successfully hosted the Inaugural Summit on Domestic Violence September 16-17, 2025, in Tinley Park. With over 250 judges and justice partners in attendance, the Summit featured national and state experts on topics such as danger assessments, strangulation, orders of protection, stalking, and trauma informed courts. This collaborative experience provided the opportunity to network with other stakeholders, identify barriers for court users, learn strategies to overcome those barriers utilizing best practices, and gain valuable information on available resources.

• Illinois Hope Card Pilot Program: The Supreme Court Committee on Domestic Violence developed the infrastructure for the implementation of Illinois Hope Card Program, established by section 219.5 of the Act (750 ILCS 60/219.5), through successfully launching a pilot program in 10 counties. A Hope Card is a durable and laminated wallet-sized card containing the most essential information about a Plenary Order of Protection in an easy-to-read format. Hope Cards eliminate the need for petitioners to carry voluminous court documents and can assist law enforcement in accessing critical information. A “Frequently Asked Questions” guide for court users and stakeholders and a Clerks Informational Sheet was created to help provide information on the program. The Hope Card FAQ was also translated into additional languages to create language access for limited English proficient court users.

• Karina’s Law Training and Resources: Following the passage of Karina’s Law, the Supreme Court Committee on Domestic Violence established a workgroup to gather information on implementation statewide and to identify and develop resources and training. Judge Jennifer Clifford provided training on Karina’s Law for judges, circuit clerks, probation, and other court stakeholders across the state.
• Illinois Judicial College Training: The biennial Education Conference attended by all Illinois judges features sessions on criminal protective orders, civil orders of protection, dynamics of domestic violence, and domestic violence issues in criminal cases, etc. The Illinois Judicial College continues to offer and develop courses related to domestic violence for judges, probation officers, circuit clerks, problem solving courts, and guardians ad litem.

The Judicial Branch is committed to continuing and strengthening collaborative efforts and promoting trauma-informed approaches to address domestic violence. It is critical that all those affected by domestic violence feel heard, respected, and protected throughout the legal process.

The challenges and demands of the vital work performed every day by the judges, clerks, and court stakeholders who serve in domestic violence courtrooms or hear domestic violence cases during their calls cannot be overstated. Listening to the impact of domestic violence on a regular basis is undoubtedly emotional and even traumatic. Identifying October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month hopefully reminds these stakeholders that their continued commitment to help those appearing before them is greatly valued, recognized and appreciated.