DuPage County State's Attorney’s Office Partners with DuPage Legal Aid

“My office remains committed to utilizing any and all resources at our disposal to assist victims of domestic violence who are struggling to raise their children without any support, monetarily or otherwise, from an absent parent.” Berlin said.

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that his office has partnered with DuPage Legal Aid in an effort to further aid victims of Domestic Violence and their families. Yesterday afternoon, in a ceremony held at Berlin’s office, Clerk of the Circuit Court Candice Adams swore in Executive Director Cecilia Najera and Ann Russell, both attorneys with DuPage Legal Aid, to serve as Special Assistant State’s Attorneys to assist the Office’s Victim Services and Child Support Units.

Presently, the State’s Attorney’s Office assists victims of domestic violence in obtaining a protective order against an alleged abuser. The protective orders however, are only enforceable for a limited time and do not address any long-term issues that may arise, particularly if children or other household members are involved. If there are children involved, the Office’s Child Support Unit, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, works to obtain financial support from the non-custodial parent. These Court-enforced child support orders not only ensure financial support for the child, but also provide for further assistance if needed. This new partnership will better allow the State’s Attorney’s Office to further assist victims with non-monetary issues covered by the Court’s order by providing the necessary legal guidance victims may need to make responsible decisions.

“My office remains committed to utilizing any and all resources at our disposal to assist victims of domestic violence who are struggling to raise their children without any support, monetarily or otherwise, from an absent parent,” Berlin said. “With this new partnership and the nearly thirty years of cumulative expertise offered by Cecilia and Ann, we are now extremely well-positioned to further assist those in need in addressing custody, health, education and other long-term issues involving their children. I would like to thank DuPage Legal Aid as well as Chief Judge Kenneth Popejoy and his office for their work in helping us create a seamless, more comprehensive approach to assisting victims of domestic violence and their families.”

“The judicial system can be intimidating and confusing at times,” Popejoy said. “This collaboration between the State’s Attorney’s Office and DuPage Legal Aid will provide a tremendous amount of help to all involved to better understand their rights as well as responsibilities in cases that affect DuPage County families.”

“DuPage Legal Aid is excited to expand the services that we already provide in Civil Order of Protection cases to individuals seeking Criminal Protective Orders,” Najera said. “We are looking forward to serving and helping domestic violence survivors by working side by side with State’s Attorney Berlin and his staff. We hope to help individuals move forward and navigate legal issues that impact their families so greatly.”

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed more than a dozen such cases since August 10, 2021.

Victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Victim Services Unit at (630) 407-8010 or via email at SAOVictimServicesUnit@dupageco.org.