Duties

(65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-15)     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)     Sec. 11-1.5-15. Duties. The duties of the unit include, but are not limited to:         (1) Serving as a resource to a department's community     to identify and coordinate the social services available to residents who are victims of criminal acts.         (2) Networking with area social service agencies to     develop a community-mutual resource system and wrap-around services (a team-based, collaborative case management approach) for victims in need of social service assistance; and fostering relationships with community organizations not limited to area hospitals, school districts, juvenile justice system, and various community groups.         (3) Employing social workers of the unit who shall:             (A) Upon request, provide community presentations         on an array of social service topics.             (B) Assist individuals in diversion from the         criminal justice system by addressing problems or concerns through therapeutic intervention.             (C) Facilitate follow-up treatment or referral         to the appropriate community resource organization.             (D) When requested, assist department employees         in securing services for those in need and provide educational information to help the employee better understand the circumstances or the community concern.             (E) Meet with walk-ins requesting information or         assistance.             (F) Protect the interest, confidentiality, and         civil rights of the client.             (G) Train social work interns who may be working         within the unit.             (H) Be on-call after regular business hours, as         needed.             (I) Inform clients, prior to providing services         under this Division, what communications are confidential pursuant to applicable provisions of State or federal law, rule, or regulation and what may be shared with the social worker's employer.             (J) Consult on all cases as needed by the         department.             (K) Perform other functions as provided in         Section 11-1.5-20 or otherwise needed by a department.         (4) Employing social workers who shall work with     victims of crimes as follows:             (A) Review police reports to identify known         victims and contact them to offer direct and referred services.             (B) Assist victims with filing police reports and         victim compensation forms.             (C) Provide safety planning services to victims.             (D) Provide crisis counseling services to victims         and their families.             (E) Conduct home visits with victims in         conjunction with police backup, when needed.             (F) Assist victims in obtaining orders of         protection. A social worker, in the performance of his or her duties under this subparagraph, is an advocate, as that term is defined in Section 112A-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.             (G) Facilitate court advocacy services for         victims, including arranging for transportation to and from court.             (H) Maintain confidential case files which         include social history, diagnosis, formulation of treatment, and documentation of services.             (I) Perform miscellaneous personal advocacy tasks         for victims, as needed.             (J) Oversee activities to ensure those victims         with the most urgent needs are given the highest priority for services.             (K) Provide status updates on the progress of a         victim's case.         (5) Adhering to and understanding the applicable     policies, procedures, and orders of a department.         (6) Attaining department-established unit goals.         (7) Maintaining a positive relationship with     co-workers, as well as the investigators from area police departments and facilitating the exchange of information and resources pertaining to investigations that would not violate confidentiality as protected pursuant to applicable provisions of State or federal law, rule, or regulation.         (8) Keeping informed on crime trends within the City.         (9) Remaining obedient and responsive to all lawful     verbal and written orders issued by superiors.         (10) Completing police reports and other required     documentation.         (11) Performing such other duties as may be required     by State law, city ordinance, and department policy or as may be assigned by a sworn supervisor. (Source: P.A. 102-756, eff. 5-10-22.)