Not doing enough to protect children
It has been with great interest that we have read the many articles and letters regarding animal abuse issues over the past several months. It is with great sorrow, however, that we have come to the realization that there are better advocates and laws protecting our animals in Illinois than our children.
Ask any foster parent who has been involved with agencies and the court system in Kane County, and they will confirm that the children are not being protected by those who are mandated to do so.
Several days ago, a woman was ordered to 50 hours of community service for abuse to lizards, yet in Illinois there is no real consequence for being a bad parent. At least cruelty and neglect to animals is considered a crime; an offense that when cumulative results in the owner's inability to own animals in the future.
Children of abusive and neglectful parents aren't so lucky. Parents can have their children removed from their care - again and again and again. For bad parents, each new child is a clean slate, and previous history of abuse and neglect are ignored.
When there is such an outcry regarding abused and neglected animals, where is the outrage for the children in our state who suffer the same fate? When are we going to press our legislators to support change in the laws that are supposed to protect our state's children?
As appalling as minimal standards are for animals, more so are the minimal standards required of parents. It doesn't take much to convince an agency and the court that a parent has cleaned up their act, if they are lucky enough to have their children removed in Kane County. They just have to find housing for a few months, get a job, attend a parenting class and a few of their counseling sessions.
What if they can't do it in a year, or two years, or three? It's OK. Their children can just stay in foster care until they get it together. What is the saddest thing? It's all supposed to be in the "best interest of the child."
You know, when you come right down to it, it's pretty scary being a child - or an animal around here.
Petrecia Shales
St. Charles
Pam Salzmann
Elgin