Law changes threaten services for abused children

Are you familiar with the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County? We are an organization that exists to serve our society's most vulnerable members; children who have been victims of sexual abuse and other violent crimes. I am writing in to inform the residents of McHenry County of recent threats to our ability to provide services due to recent changes in the law.

As we all know, sometimes even the most responsible change in legislation can have unintended consequence. This is unfortunately the case with the passing of House Bill 4594? Which was intended to help Child Advocacy Centers throughout Illinois. While this bill will help several CAC's throughout the state, the impact to our McHenry County CAC is nothing short of devastating; projected to result in a loss of funding from fines and fees by nearly 40 percent or $125,000 per year. This reduction in funding has the potential to cripple our operations.

As you can imagine, child sexual abuse can tear families apart. The work done at CACMC provides essential healing intervention for victims and their families. The funding loss not only threatens our ability to continue offering the much needed services to victims, but the level of support given to the non-offending family members who are also impacted by this terrible crime. We must find a way to continue to fund these services for the sake of those who are devastated sexual abuse.

I wish there was no need for these types of services in our society. Unfortunately, the need for these services grows each year. Help us in reaching out to the county board members and letting them know that you support funding for CACMC.

Misty Marinier, Executive Director

Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County

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