State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) is proud to announce that his recent appointment to a task force that will examine the funding of child advocacy groups.
Senate Joint Resolution 47, filed and adopted this spring, created the Task Force on Children Advocacy Centers (CAC) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children Funding to ensure that each CAC and CASA facility receives adequate funding, from the state and from the organization’s own fundraising, to respond to the number and severity of child abuse and neglect cases in their respective jurisdictions.
“The protection of the children of this state is one of the foremost responsibilities of their parents, and when that fails, our government,” Rep. Weber said. “Unfortunately, Illinois government has not always risen to meet that challenge in the way that we must. I look forward to working with other members of this task force to determine how the state can help these organizations help us in responding to child abuse and neglect cases.”
Children’s Advocacy Centers operate as part of a network that coordinates and provides a comprehensive response to child abuse cases in Illinois. They help law enforcement, DCFS, and other community partners investigate and prosecute child abuse, and offer mental health support for victims and their families.
CASA is a nationwide organization that trains and supervises a network of volunteers appointed by a judge to advocate for abused or neglected children in the court process. They work with Department of Children and Family Services caseworkers and attorneys. Their role is to gather information and make recommendations in the best interest of the child, keeping the child’s personal wishes in mind. In Illinois, CASA manages over 3,000 volunteers.
The task force will be comprised of 16 members, and Rep. Weber will serve as the lone voice from the Illinois House Republicans. Meetings will begin soon and the task force will issue its report by the end of the year.