Criminal Justice Committee Meeting on Violence Against Women Task Force Report - July 15, 2026
Criminal Justice Committee Meeting on Violence Against Women Task Force Report - July 15, 2026
On July 15, 2026, the Cook County Criminal Justice Committee reconvened to receive and file the Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force report, which includes recommendations to improve domestic violence processes. The meeting featured testimony from survivors, a presentation by task force partners, and discussion among commissioners. The item was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Anaya, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Retrinda Alley spoke about her 14-year domestic violence case (docket 2010 D080864), alleging that Judge Maritza Martinez and court staff failed to consider a pattern of past abuse as required by law. She stated that a 2022 protective order was violated, child support noncompliance persisted, and a 2024 purge order with body attachment remained unenforced. Alley strongly encouraged funding the task force, saying the system lacks due diligence and survivors have been supporting each other.
- Diane Brown expressed gratitude for the task force and the unanimous support from commissioners, but called for more transparency, court reporters or electronic surveillance in courtrooms. She named Judge Maritza Martinez and Judge Bernadette Barrett, saying they should be removed. Brown noted that the work is far from complete and pledged to continue fighting at the state level.
- Yolanda Carter, a survivor and founder of Beautifully Scarred, noted that small nonprofit organizations lack resources. She said survivors often have to return to abusers because shelters and support are unavailable, and urged more help for grassroots organizations.
Discussion Items
- Commissioner Miller introduced the Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force report, emphasizing that domestic violence accounted for 26% of violent crimes in Chicago in 2025, with a 61.5% increase in fatal domestic shootings and a 22.6% increase in domestic homicides. She thanked survivors for leading the effort and stated the report is a blueprint for action.
- Commissioner Anaya stressed that the report uplifts the need for data sharing, transparency, and collaboration among city, county, and state agencies. She noted the personal nature of the issue, as her mother is a survivor.
- Commissioner Degnan highlighted that domestic violence often happens in the shadows and victims are re-victimized. He praised the quick six-month turnaround and noted that data gaps limit external support.
- Chair Daly thanked survivors and said the report shows what can be done within county government. He urged the board to implement recommendations and pursue legislative action in Springfield, especially during the veto session and budget process.
- Katie Dunn, Executive Director of Chicago 77, presented the report. Key statistics included: in 2025, Black residents made up 70% of domestic violence homicide victims and Hispanic residents 25%; in 2026, 81% of domestic homicide victims were Black. She noted that less than 15% of cases result in a plenary order of protection, and 72,000 active warrants exist with an estimated 25% domestic-related. Dunn also highlighted that 49% of residents trust police but only 28% trust the court system, and less than one in five Black residents trust the courts.
- John Buckley (Public Policy Lab) and Kelly Costello (Impact Partners) presented qualitative research findings. They noted that 70-90% of petitioners represent themselves, and only 30.2% of unrepresented victims secure a final order of protection compared to 83% for those with advocates. They recommended prevention programs, care-centered communication, e-filing improvements, and real-time navigator support.
- Commissioner Lowry asked for clarification between domestic violence and domestic relations cases. Katie Dunn explained that domestic relations cases (involving child support, custody) often cut off services and are costly, driving victims back to abusers. Commissioner Lowry offered to assist through the Illinois Judicial Conference.
- Commissioner McCaskill commended the work and noted that in her district, a subcommittee started providing court escorts for survivors.
- Commissioner Morrison, a survivor himself, raised that the presentation did not sufficiently cover the domestic violence courthouse at 555 West Harrison. He noted that 555 has recordings and is specialized. Renata Steele, senior division attorney from the domestic violence division, clarified that all cases at 555 are transcribed, and she believed suburban courthouses also have transcriptions, but offered to verify. She emphasized that each community is unique and that 555 is accessible by transit.
Key Outcomes
- The committee voted unanimously to receive and file item 26-1422, the Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force report on recommendations to improve domestic violence processes. The motion was made by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Anaya.
- The meeting adjourned after the motion carried.
Meeting Transcript
I will now reconvene the meeting of the criminal justice committee. And now I would move that Michael's guide. Chair the meeting. Roll call. All in favor. All in favor. Aye. The eyes have it. Madam Secretary, do we still have a quorum? At your recess meeting, you had all members present with the exception of absence for Commissioner Britton. Excuse absences for Commissioner Gaynor, Commissioner Moore, Commissioner Sean Morrison, and Commissioner Stamps. We will add Commissioner Kevin Morrison to the role. Thank you. You were your own role. Yep. We don't have uh remote participation, correct? Correct. Any additions to the agenda? You do not have any additions to your agenda, but you do have several public speakers. Before we get started with public speakers, I just would like to apologize for the wait. We appreciate your willingness to wait and this issue. So uh we just want to make sure that you understand we we apologize and we appreciate you. Um Madam Secretary, if you can now uh read the rules of participation. Rules for public speaking, persons authorized to provide public testimony shall not use vulgar, abusive, discriminatory, profane, or otherwise inappropriate language when addressing the board. Failure to act appropriately or failure to adhere to the time requirements may result in expulsion from the meeting and or disqualify the person from providing future testimony. All speakers will have three minutes. I will notify you when one minute is left and 30 seconds. Your first speaker is George Blakemore, who I do not see in the room. Following George Blakemore, Rorinda Alley and Diane Brown. If you are still in a room, can you please proceed to the public testimony, Mike? Retrinda Alley and Diane Brown. And if you could state your name for the record and proceed. Hello, my name is Retrenda Alley. Good morning, Commissioners. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Thank you. It's been a long day, yeah. My docket number uh 2010 D080864 goes back to 2010. Illinois law, the Illinois Domestic Violence Act requires courts to weigh a respondent's pattern of past abuse. That's the statute and not my opinion. My file shows that pattern. A 2022 preliminary protective order violated and documented by email in orders of temporary and no in orders of therapy and supervised visitation, which he never complied with. A decade of child support noncompliance followed, including a 2016 order of modification to $90 a month for 26 weeks that left that was left lapsed and only pays fairly sensed. And a 2024 purge order with a body attachment, which is still unenforced two years later. While I've just spent thousands of dollars chasing orders that are already um on the docket, it's already in the system. Judge Maritza Martinez and her court staff with no reporter in sight, court reporter, um, had access to the same Click County records that I found in a matter of minutes. That pattern um it shows the lack of due diligence that was done by this justice system, which I've depended on when it comes to reporting crimes and things like that, just not taking matters into my own hands. Um, but that has left me searching for more resources. Um I really found that the survivors um within this city have been the ones supporting me through this uh 14 year stint of dealing with this individual that I've uh partnered with.
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