IL HB5444

McHenry County Sheriff's Office shall establish a co-responder unit within 6 months of the effective date, subject to appropriation, including hiring of personnel.

McHenry County Sheriff's Office is added to the list of departments required to have co-responder units under the Illinois Municipal Code, alongside East St. Louis, Peoria, Springfield, and Waukegan police departments.

Co-responder units employ licensed social workers to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and ongoing emotional support to crime victims with focus on victim assistance.

Social workers in the units perform duties including victim follow-up services, safety planning, crisis counseling, home visits with law enforcement backup, and assistance with orders of protection and court advocacy.

These provisions are scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029, unless extended by the legislature.