Lake County leaders participate in worldwide anti-violence event

Local leaders joined an anti-violence advocacy group and the League of Women Voters of Lake County in Round Lake Beach to kick off an annual worldwide campaign against violence.

Lake County Rising, a local chapter of the international One Billion Rising organization, focuses on fighting violence against women. The One Billion Rising organization and its chapters have staged public protests around the world each Feb. 14 since 2012 to call public attention to the problem of violence against women.

The Jan. 12 kickoff at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civil Center was sponsored by Nicasa Behavioral Services, a Lake County organization that works in the areas of violence and drug addiction.

Several elected officials, including Lake County Board member Sandra Hart, Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim, state Sen. Melinda Bush, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, and Zion Township Supervisor Cheri Neal attended the event.

It included remarks and a musical performance by former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a prosecutor of domestic violence cases, and Congressman Robert Dold, who via video read "I Rise" on the floor of the U.S. House. Bush, Nerheim, and Neal also participated in the program.