Norman v. State, 30 Ill. Ct. Cl. 980 (1975)

May 13, 1975 · Illinois Court of Claims · No. 74-CV-37
30 Ill. Ct. Cl. 980

(No. 74-CV-37

Eddie Norman, on behalf of Patricia M. Norman, Claimant, vs. State of Illinois, Respondent.

Opinion filed May 13, 1975.

Eddie Norman, Claimant, pro se.

William J. Scott, Attorney General, for Respondent.

Per Curiam.

This claim arises out of a criminal offense that occurred on March 24, 1974, in the 1400 block of West 64th Street, Chicago, Illinois. Eddie Norman, the victim’s mother, seeks payment of compensation pursuant to the provisions of the "Crime Victims Compensation Act,” Ill. Rev. Stat., 1973, Ch. 70, §71, et seq. (hereafter referred to as the "Act”).

This Court has carefully considered the application for benefits submitted on the form prescribed and furnished by the Court, and a report of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, which substantiates matters set forth in the application. Based upon these documents and other evidence submitted before the Court, the Court finds:

1. That the claimant’s minor daughter, Patricia M. Norman, age 16, was a victim of a violent crime, as defined in §2(c) of the Act, to wit:

“Aggravated Battery” (Ill. Rev. Stat., 1972, ch. 38, §12-4).

*9812. That on March 24, 1974, the victim was shot in the 1400 block of West 64th Street, Chicago, while walking to church.

3. That statements, taken by the police investigators shortly after the crime was committed, present no evidence of any provocation by the victim for the attack upon her.

4. That the victim was hospitalized from March 24, 1974, to March 29, 1974, and received treatment for injuries sustained in the shooting. A further and more detailed summary of the facts and information considered by the court is contained in the Investigatory Report prepared by the Attorney General. A copy of said report is contained in the Court’s file in this matter, and the facts as reported therein are incorporated in this Opinion by reference.

5. That the Chicago Police Department has arrested Kent Richardson, 6638 South Bishop, Chicago, Illinois, and Johnny, Johnson, 6509 Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Richardson has been subsequently discharged, but Johnny Johnson was indicted in Cook County on a charge of Aggravated Battery (Indictment No. 74-2959). He is presently awaiting trial.

6. That there is no evidence that the victim and her assailants were related or sharing the same household.

7. That the criminal offense was promptly reported to law enforcement officials, and claimant and the victim have fully cooperated with their requests for assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

8. That the claimant incurred medical and hospital expenses as a result of her daughter’s injuries which were partially covered by Public Aid and the gross *982amount of pecuniary loss as computed before setoffs and deductions is as follows:

1) Hospital.......................................$664.90
2) Medical ....................................... 121.90
$786.80

9. That, in determining the amount of compensation to which an applicant is entitled, §7(d) of the Act states that this Court—

"(d) shall deduct $200 plus the amount of benefits, payments or awards payable under the 'Workmen’s Compensation Act,’ or from local governmental, State or Federal funds or from any other source (except annuities, pension plans, Federal social security benefits, and the net proceeds of the first ($25,000) Twenty-five Thousand Dollars of life insurance that would inure to the benefit of the applicant. . .).”

That, in the claim before us, the benefits received by the claimant from other sources which must be deducted from her loss were shown to be in the total sum of $229.80 as contemplated by §7(d) of the Act. The statutory deduction of $200 having been deducted from the gross amount of loss as calculated in 118, leaves an amount of compensable loss sustained by the claimant as $357.00.

It Is Hereby Ordered that the sum of $357.00 be awarded to the claimant, Eddie Norman, as the mother of a minor child, Patricia M. Norman, the innocent victim of a violent crime.