The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois is hosting its first statewide public relations / fundraising event, which is a 4 day walk to raise money for Children’s Advocacy Center. Our Center, the Will County Child Advocacy Center, will be participating in this event on Sunday, May 18, 2008 with a 15 mile walk. Our “kickoff” will begin at the Will County Courthouse in downtown Joliet (14 W. Jefferson Street) at 9:30 a.m. If you’d like to participate as a walker, you would need to ask people for pledges of support. $1.00 per mile is the minimum pledge per mile walked; or, you can simply get “flat pledges” of any amount of money. Please click here for the Pledge Form and the Registration Form.

If you’re not a walker, but would still like to donate, we’d love to receive your pledge for one of our staff members! We have three people from our Center that will be walking, Mary Jane, Barb, and Denise. If you’d like to donate a pledge for one of them, please call our office at (815)774-4565. Thank You!! Also, please check out the website blog if you want a little more information: http://www.champions4children2008.com

Will County Children's Advocacy Center hosts an evening of fun for a serious cause: the protection of sexually abused children

JOLIET -- It was an evening of great music, good food and silent auction shopping to benefit a not-for-profit organization that provides a critical service to the youngest and most vulnerable crime victims.

More than 100 people gathered at the IBEW Local 176 Banquet Hall on Nov. 14 for an annual dinner to raise funds for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

The Children's Advocacy Center provides a safe haven where children who have suffered sexual abuse or severe physical abuse can tell their stories to trained professionals in a non-threatening, non-suggestive environment. Their videotaped statements have been used in the prosecution of hundreds of sexual predators over the past 12 years.

This year's dinner was emceed by WJOL morning man Scott Slocum, who serves on the Children's Advocacy Center's board of directors. Pre-dinner music was provided by The Big Eddy Springs Blues Band.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, who founded the Children's Advocacy Center in 1995 and serves as the board president, presented special guests State Senator Linda Holmes and State Rep. Mike Fortner with recognition plaques for their creativity and vision in the fight to protect sexually abused children. The two are sponsors of a bill that allows counties across Illinois to assess court fines of up to $30 on convicted defendants to fund child advocacy centers.

"Senator Holmes and Rep. Fortner recognize the important role child advocacy centers play in the investigation and prosecution of child sexual predators," State's Attorney Glasgow said. "The vision they demonstrated in passing this legislation will establish a more stable funding base for these centers and enable them to continue their important work."

This year's event featured a silent auction that included Bulls tickets, golf foursome packages, a football signed by Chicago Bears players as well as numerous gift baskets containing computer items, car care items and jewelry. All items were sold during the auction.

Winner of the 50/50 raffle, Matt Ryan, graciously donated back his winnings to the Children's Advocacy Center.

The guest speaker for the evening was Detective Ken Simpson of the Bolingbrook Police Department. Simpson shared his experiences as a member of the center's multi-disciplinary team for the past seven years.

For further information about the Center and its services, call (815) 774-4565 or visit the Web site at www.willcountychildadvocacy.com.

Billie Larkin, Illinois Children's Advocacy Center director, and Sue Bloch, executive director of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, pause during the annual dinner and fundraiser.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow (left), who founded the Will County Children's Advocacy Center in 1995, presents plaques of appreciation to State Rep. Mike Fortner and State Sen. Linda Holmes during the annual dinner and fundraiser. The two state elected officials this year passed legislation that enables counties to assess fines on convicted defendants to fund children's advocacy centers.

Will County Children's Advocacy Center Board Member Mike Mikuska (left) talks with Joliet Police Chief Fred Hayes during the annual dinner and fundraiser to benefit the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

Lyndean Brick, Matt Ryan, chief of staff for Will County Executive Larry Walsh, and Myron Brick stop for the cameras during the annual dinner and fundraiser to benefit the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

Cooper, a future Leader Dog for the Blind, tries to sniff out winning raffle tickets during the Will County Children's Advocacy Center's annual dinner and fundraiser.

The Big Eddy Springs Blues Band jams during the Will County Children's Advocacy Center's annual dinner and fundraiser.

Emcee Scott Slocum, WJOL's morning man, keeps the evening moving during the Will County Children's Advocacy Center's dinner and fundraiser.

$1,000 Sponsors

• City of Joliet
• Edward Health Services Corporation
• I.B.E.W. Local 176
• Joliet Exchange Club Charities, Inc.
• Provena St. Joseph’s Medical Center
• Waste Management

$500 Sponsors

• A.J. Dralle, Inc.
• Harris Bank
• NECA-IBEW Local 176

Dinner Tables

• Citizens for Paul Kaupas $1000
• Crete Police Association $600
• D’Arcy Motors $1000
• Mickey Companies $1000
• Police Chiefs Assoc. of Will County $1000
• Rockdale Police Department $800

Karen A. Batenic, vice president of human resources for Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel, presents a $1,200 check to Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow to buy new furniture for the interview room at the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

The money will be used to purchase a comfortable sofa and chairs for the room in which professionally trained forensic interviewers take statements from children who have been the victims of sexual abuse.

“I am grateful to Harrah’s for making this generous contribution,” Glasgow said. “The furniture that will be purchased will make the interview room more comfortable and relaxing for children who already have suffered enough trauma.”

Children’s statements are recorded in a non-suggestive, non-threatening environment at the Children’s Advocacy Center. These statements have been used in the successful prosecution of literally hundreds of sexual predators in Will, Grundy and Kendall counties over the past decade.

On September 13, 2005, the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary with a celebration fundraiser at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet. Over 150 people attended the event which featured Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General, as the keynote speaker.  The Center raised $18,000 in donations. Special recognition for the following sponsors:

Gold Sponsors - $1,000

• Imperial Constructions Associates, Inc.
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150
• John Greene Land Co.
• Provena St. Joseph Medical Center
• Waste Management

Silver Sponsors - $500

• All Will County Auto Parts & Wreckers
• Bill Jacobs Enterprises
• City of Joliet
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 176
• Law Offices of Daniel J. Kramer
• Neumann Homes
• Rod Baker Ford
• Tyson Motor Corp.
• Whitetail Development, LLC
• National Electrical Contractors Assoc. IBEW Local 176

We thank all our contributors and supporters of this successful event which enables us to continue to provide these critical services to child abuse victims in our community.

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