Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force held its final executive meeting on June 8, 2026, at 10:05 AM. The meeting featured five public speakers and a detailed presentation from research partners on the survivor journey through the court system for emergency orders of protection. Task force members also recognized progress, including a reported 52% decrease in domestic murders in Chicago since January 2026, and outlined next steps for continued work.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arthur Ellenston (first speaker) described his experience of being falsely accused of abuse, stating that his ex-wife suffered from multiple mental disorders. He argued that courts should conduct background checks on both the accuser and accused at ex parte hearings to prevent custody being awarded to abusers. He emphasized the need to listen to children more.
• Frank Sheck (task force volunteer from domestic violence outreach) reported that his group is working to solicit major law firms to direct 15–20% of their pro bono budgets toward domestic violence survivors, starting with a firm of 700 lawyers. He also described a free eight-week program at Daley College that provides manufacturing job training, leading to jobs starting at about $23 per hour, with 10% of students earning over $30 after two years.
• Jessica Jackson expressed concern that domestic violence is often assumed to be men against women, but women also abuse men. She criticized Cook County officials and the court system for what she described as abuse of black women through unconstitutional property tax sales and failure of attorneys (including task force members) to report illegal conduct. She asked where funding and recourse are for such abuse.
• Patricia Dean (age 67, retired, earning less than $20,000/year) asked for help obtaining addresses to serve court summons to two defendants she is trying to sue. She stated that judges told her to do her own homework, legal aid organizations declined to help, and she cannot afford an attorney. She requested guidance on where to go for help.
• Diane Brown thanked the task force for making progress and acknowledged the efforts of Commissioner Donna Miller and other officials. She stated that lives have been saved and pledged to continue supporting the work.
• George Blakebourne spoke about the historical abuse of black women in America, including enslavement and rape, and urged black women to recognize their power and motherly role.

Discussion Items

• Presentation on Survivor Journey and Court System Findings: Dr. Kelly Costello (from Northwestern University, noting she holds a master's degree, not a PhD), John Buckley (Practice Director, PPL Midwest), and team members from Impact Partners and the Public Policy Lab presented findings from interviews and court observations at Skokie and Markham courthouses. They mapped the emergency order of protection (EOP) process, noting that 70–90% of petitioners self-navigate without representation. Key themes included:
  • Barriers to entry: Fear, shame, institutional mistrust, and concern about unintended consequences (e.g., police actions) prevent survivors from seeking help. Legal advocates reported that survivors often experience 6–8 incidents before entering the system.
  • Procedures are system-centered: Court processes are designed for efficiency, not survivors. Burden of proof varies by judge, and survivors often do not understand their role. Hearing dates are set without consulting survivors, and missing a hearing leads to case dismissal.
  • Survivor services: Resources are inconsistently delivered and depend on prior knowledge. Advocate availability varies by funding; one advocate said the hardest part of the job was screening who qualifies for help. Legal aid is only available certain days (e.g., Tuesday–Thursday afternoons), even though most cases come on Mondays; about half of eligible people receive services.
  • Communication: Court interactions can be cold, dismissive, or intimidating. Paperwork is daunting (dozens of pages), and survivors must navigate multiple offices (e.g., clerk, DV office, advocate) without clear signage. A legal advocate noted that the most important thing is ensuring survivors know their next court date and how to read the paperwork.
  • Priorities beyond court: Securing housing, safety, employment, and childcare often take precedence over court action. The three-week gap between EOP and hearing coincides with the “honeymoon phase” of abuse cycles, leading many to drop cases. One survivor asked, “Will I be around on June 19th? Will I still be breathing?”
  • Opportunity areas: Recommendations included simplified information and visual maps, school-based education on healthy relationships (since CPS curriculum lacks abuse prevention), peer support groups, design reviews of court processes, survivor-led navigation initiatives, care-centered communication, clearer “what to expect” guides, expanded virtual hearings (currently 15% at Skokie), and housing support specifically for the 48 hours after an EOP is served.
• City Clerk Anna Valencia commended the task force and highlighted the CityKey card program, which helps domestic violence survivors access services without documents. She suggested using technology (e-form, digital navigators at libraries) and offering weekend hours at regional hubs to reduce barriers. She also noted that government hours often do not work for people and that overtime costs can be managed (e.g., mobile city hall model costing about $15,000 per year for eight Saturday sessions).
• Task Force Closing Remarks: Commissioner Donna Miller and Alderwoman Tamaris thanked all participants, especially survivors like Sarah Brown. They noted that this final executive meeting concludes the initial phase; a city council committee meeting is scheduled for July 9 to discuss recommendations, and phase two of the task force will begin in the fall. A domestic relations hearing is also planned for the following week to address overlaps between domestic violence and domestic relations courts.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the meeting was for presentations and public testimony.
• Domestic murder reduction: Commissioner Donna Miller reported that domestic murders in Chicago have decreased by 52% since the task force began in January 2026.
• Next steps:
  • A city council committee meeting will be held on July 9, 2026, to review recommendations.
  • Phase two of the task force will launch in fall 2026.
  • A domestic relations hearing will take place the week following the meeting to coordinate between domestic violence and domestic relations courts.
  • Task force leaders urged continued advocacy for resources and funding in upcoming budget hearings.
  • The presentation materials and report will be made available on the task force website.