At the September 26 Cook County Board Meeting, a contract with Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) was renewed. This extension makes it possible for AAIM to continue coordinating the Victim Impact Panel program for traffic offenders. Participation for offenders is achieved by court order.
Each month, Victim Impact Panels reach over 700 defendants in several in Illinois counties each month. These panels are not punitive; rather they are used as a preventative measure. Victims and offenders alike are given a safe space to give their own personal accounts that create awareness, encourage prevention and illustrate the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Panels have proven to be a successful too in preventing recidivism.
AAIM panels take place in court facilities in the First Municipal District in Chicago, the Second Municipal District in Skokie, the Third Municipal District in Rolling Meadows, and the Sixth Municipal District in Markham. Panels are conducted in English, Spanish and Polish.
Commenti