Thursday morning, advocacy groups joined the YWCA of Metro Chicago to call on Congress to protect funding for the Victims of Crime Act. They also say the city and state should step in to protect victims' services if the federal cuts become reality.
Proponents say the needs of the victims should outweigh federal, state, or local budgetary politics.
"Public budgets are a moral compass of our priorities and obligations. It is our responsibility to assist with our nation's most vulnerable citizens. When we invest in women we have the power to lift up whole families," said Wendy Cohen, advisor, attorney general's office.
Some of the existing funding for the victims of crime act comes from fines and penalties collected from federal offenders.
