State’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Victim Advocate Jessica Gil Receives Award from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for Dedication in Assisting Crash Victims, Families

JOLIET – State’s Attorney James Glasgow is pleased to announce that Victim Witness Advocate Jessica Gil has received the Diane Mains Award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) for her dedication in assisting impaired driving crash victims and their families.

“Jessica Gil deserves this important honor in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to victims of impaired driving and their families,” Glasgow said. “I established our Victim Services Unit to provide the best possible assistance to victims who many times are traumatized and need emotional and practical support as they encounter our criminal justice system. Our victim advocates work each and every day to make the process less daunting and provide the support and encouragement needed by the many victims we serve.”

Gil was one of a number of victim advocates, prosecutors, police officers, and AAIM supporters from throughout Illinois to be recognized for their contributions in the fight against drunken driving.

“I am honored to have been selected by AAIM for this meaningful award,” Gil said. “Every day, the members of our Victim Witness Advocate team are supporting crime victims, witnesses, and their family members who need emotional support as well as assistance in finding needed resources. We strive to make sure victims receive the tools they need to recover.”

The mission of AAIM is to prevent deaths and injuries caused by chemically impaired or distracted operators of any motor vehicle or watercraft and to assist victims of these crashes in Illinois. The award received by Gil was named in honor of AAIM Victim Advocate Diane Mains who passed away in 2006. Mains’ daughter, Caitlyn, was killed by a drunk driver a week before her high school graduation in 2003. Mains turned her sorrow into action by volunteering for AAIM and speaking at Victim Impact Panels to court DUI offenders, as well as to high school students as part of AAIM’s pre-prom prevention programs.