Understanding Victim Impact Panels in Illinois

Victim Impact Panels (VIPs) occupy a unique place in the Illinois DUI sentencing landscape. While they do not serve as formal treatment programs, they complement educational and rehabilitative components by allowing those affected by impaired driving to share firsthand accounts of the consequences.

This article explains the nature and purpose of Victim Impact Panels in Illinois, outlines the topics typically addressed, contrasts VIPs with DUI treatment classes, details the process for completing a panel, and provides county‑by‑county information on approved providers. Finally, it highlights how Wirth Law focuses on guiding revoked drivers through Secretary of State reinstatement hearings after a DUI revocation.

Definition and Purpose of a Victim Impact Panel

A Victim Impact Panel is an awareness program ordered by the court for individuals convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Under court order, an offender attends a single panel session in which individual affected by DUI, such as trauma survivors, share personal narratives about how impaired driving altered their lives. These panel presentations are intended to be non‑confrontational.

By hearing directly from those who have suffered loss or trauma, attendees are offered insight and a different perspective on DUI. A nominal attendance fee is charged by most providers, reflecting administrative and staffing costs. The goal is to foster empathy, reinforce personal accountability, and deter future offenses through real‑world stories rather than punitive measures.

Potential Topics at a Victim Impact Panel

Victim Impact Panel presentations cover a range of themes, each intended to underscore the potential effects that DUI can have on others. Examples of topics include the following:

• Personal Narratives of Loss
  Speakers describe the emotional aftermath of an impaired driving crash, including grief, long‑term disability, or the loss of a loved one.

• Ongoing Medical and Financial Consequences
  Commentary may detail medical treatments and financial burdens borne by survivors.

• Psychological and Family Impacts
  Panelists explain how a single incident can trigger depression, anxiety, or post‑traumatic stress, affecting the speaker’s family network and social relationships.

• Messages of Forgiveness and Hope
  Some panelists offer reflections on forgiveness and rebuilding, encouraging offenders to seek help and make constructive life changes.

By combining firsthand accounts with reflective commentary, a VIP session can offer an educational experience or different perspective for attendees.

Distinction Between a Victim Impact Panel and DUI Treatment

Although both Victim Impact Panels and DUI treatment classes may be court‑ordered, they serve distinct functions:

• Nature of the Program
  A Victim Impact Panel is a one‑time presentation focused on survivor narratives. It is not designed to diagnose substance use disorders or develop personal intervention strategies, such as DUI risk education or alcohol/drug treatment.

• Educational and Therapeutic Goals
  Victim Impact Panels aim to heighten awareness of the consequences of impaired driving through emotional engagement. DUI treatment classes provide structured education, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation services tailored to the individual needs of the DUI defendant or client.

• Duration and Structure
  A victim impact panel generally lasts about ninety minutes. Treatment programs can span several weeks or months, depending on individual needs of a client. A panel is focused on the impact on others, while treatment serves to provide rehabilitation services to the DUI defendant or client.

• Proof of Attendance
  Completion of a Victim Impact Panel results in a certificate to confirm attendance at a session. Depending on risk classification, DUI programs can be verified by treatment plans, discharge summaries, continuing care documents, or a court status report to verify completion of the recommended intervention.

In many DUI sentences, attendance at both a Victim Impact Panel and a treatment program is required. The panel supplements the rehabilitative process by emphasizing the potential real‑life impact that can result from impaired driving.

Steps to Complete a Victim Impact Panel for an Illinois DUI Sentence

Completion of a Victim Impact Panel involves a straightforward sequence of actions. While details vary by jurisdiction, the core steps are:

1. Verify Approved Provider
   Court orders will generally specify whether a Victim Impact Panel is required. There are different panel providers in various courthouses, including Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), or another specific organization. Prospective attendees should confirm acceptance of a chosen provider by contacting the court, social services department, or probation office.

2. Register and Submit Fees
   Registration may be available online or in person. A nominal attendance fee is due at the time of registration or upon arrival, commonly between $20 to $65. Payment methods depend on provider policies.

3. Attend the Panel Session
   Panels can be offered in-person or online, depending on the county. Sessions last approximately ninety minutes and generally feature multiple panelists who share personal impact stories. Punctuality and full attendance are required.

4. Obtain Certificate of Completion
   At the end of the session, each attendee receives an official certificate. This document confirms that the court‑mandated awareness program has been completed.

5. Submit Certificate to Court or Supervising Agency
   The completion certificate should be submitted to the court, delivered to probation, or provided to social services- whichever is applicable. The certificate demonstrates compliance with the Victim Impact Panel sentencing requirement in a DUI case.

Victim Impact Panel Providers by County

The following overview lists primary Victim Impact Panel providers and local requirements for key Illinois counties. Jurisdictions may change panel schedules or fees, so it is essential to verify acceptance of any provider before registration.

• Cook County
  Panels are coordinated by the Social Service Department and conducted by AAIM. Sessions occur monthly at the Criminal Court Administration Building and at five suburban district courthouses in English and Spanish. Fees apply and may be assessed through the Social Service Department or Adult Probation Department. For scheduling, social services or probation offices should be contacted directly.

• DuPage County
  DuPage County posts the AAIM VIP schedule on its court monitoring website. Online registration is available.

• DeKalb County
  Both AAIM and MADD panels are authorized. The DeKalb County Court Services department maintains information on approved sessions. Attendance at either provider’s panel should satisfy the requirement.

• Grundy County
  The Grundy Victim Impact Panel is hosted four times a year at the Grundy County Courthouse under the State’s Attorney’s Office. A cash‑only fee of $20 is required. To learn more, contact the State’s Attorney at (815) 941-3276.

• Kane County
  Kane County Court Services authorizes completion through AAIM or MADD.

• Kankakee County
  The Kankakee County Probation Department mandates attendance at a MADD panel. Registration information is located on the MADD website.

• Kendall County
  Neither AAIM nor MADD is preferred exclusively. Both providers appear on the Kendall County court resources page.

• Lake County
  In‑person panels are hosted at the College of Lake County. Registration can be completed via submission of a judicial services form or by calling the program coordinator at (847) 543-2185.

• McHenry County
  The McHenry County Probation Department lists AAIM and MADD panels as approved options.

• Will County
  The Circuit Clerk’s post‑judgment information page lists both AAIM and MADD panels.

• Winnebago County
  AIIM indicates that Winnebago County accepts their Victim Impact Panel. Contact information can be located on AIIM’s provider page.

Prior to attending any session, it is advisable to verify that the specific VIP provider and format will be accepted by the sentencing court, the social services department, or probation officer.

About Our Office

Wirth Law focuses on representing revoked drivers at driver’s license reinstatement hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State after a DUI revocation. For a free consultation on our services for Secretary of State hearings, please contact Wirth Law at (312) 761‑8290 or complete our online contact form.