VOICES-DENIALS-VICTIMS

Amends the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Provides that if the Designated Certifying Official cannot determine that the requester is a victim of a qualifying criminal activity, the Designated Certifying Official shall provide written notice to the person or the person's representative explaining why the available evidence does not support a finding that the person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity. Provides that the Designated Certifying Official shall submit the notice to the address provided in the request and shall provide contact information should the requester desire to appeal the decision. Provides that the Designated Certifying Official shall accept all appeals and must respond to the appeals within 60 business days. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 825/20 new Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 825/10 5 ILCS 825/11 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Provides that the certifying official shall submit the notice explaining why the available evidence does not support a finding that the person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity to the address provided in the request and shall provide contact information should the requester desire to appeal the decision. Provides that the certifying agency or certifying official shall accept all appeals and must respond to the appeals within 30 business days. Provides that notwithstanding this provision no requester is required to file an administrative appeal or otherwise exhaust administrative remedies before filing a mandamus action or seeking other equitable relief in circuit court for a completed certification form.