Victim advocates tell Bloomington council police and prosecutors routinely fail survivors, call for independent oversight

At a Committee of the Whole meeting, seven community speakers reading anonymized victim statements urged the Bloomington City Council to push for changes after describing repeated failures in how victims are treated by local law enforcement and prosecutors.

Amy Endicott, representing Care for Victims and who also identified herself as a human relations commissioner, said the community hears consistent reports that "most in our community are still unaware" of victims' rights and called for "immediate meaningful reform" and independent investigation capacity. Sarah Shields read multiple anonymized statements alleging that front-desk staff were dismissive and that officers refused to enforce a no-contact order; Shields said, "the victim's bill of rights and the support provided is a joke."

Other readers described similar patterns: Sean Larkin read an account of a bicyclist struck at a crosswalk who received little follow-up after filing a report; Theresa Fowler recounted being left without court advocates and later told by a prosecutor that it was "too late" to press charges; Anya Giordano read a case in which a sexual-assault kit appears to be lost and the victim never received results. Naoka Griffiths and Shay Turner summarized recommendations from victims, emphasizing trauma-informed training, clearer communications and updated resource materials such as larger-font flyers and QR-code links.

Erica Larkin invoked the Illinois Constitution and the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, asking the council to commit to specific, time-bound actions including working with McLean County and establishing or strengthening an independent oversight body that could receive and investigate rights violations. Several speakers noted the limits of local authority but argued the city can still press for accountability and transparency.

City Manager Jurgens responded later in the meeting, thanking the advocacy groups and saying staff had met with them and implemented some suggestions. He also cautioned that "the idea of an oversight board ... is just not something that the law allows," and said staff will provide more information about what is feasible.

The council did not take formal action on the advocacy groups' requests during the meeting; speakers asked for scheduled working sessions, clear timelines and public reporting on progress.