IL HB0199

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to define "victim advocate" as a person who works or has worked with crime victims through education programs or seminars for crime victims, or by rendering confidential assistance to crime victims.

Requires that at least one member of the Prisoner Review Board shall be a crime victim or victim advocate as defined in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act.

The Prisoner Review Board consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, with members required to have at least 5 years of experience in penology, corrections, law enforcement, sociology, law, education, social work, medicine, psychology, or related fields.

Board members serve on a full-time basis and cannot hold other salaried public offices or engage in other business; the Chairman receives $35,000 annually and other members receive $30,000 annually, or amounts set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.