Rockford Sun

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) is drawing attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to support child abuse prevention efforts and a celebration of healthy, happy childhoods,” Sosnowski posted on Facebook. “We can all do our part to prevent abuse by learning the warning signs. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in Illinois, call 1-800-25-ABUSE.”

Safehome reported that 32,541 Illinoisans are registered as child sex offenders.

There are a wide variety of events planned to mark Child Abuse Awareness Month and to honor victims. 

Rep. Tom Weber (R-Fox Lake) has introduced legislation to keep child sex offenders away from places where children gather, such as state fairs.

“Parents and children should feel safe while enjoying themselves at the state fair,” Weber said in a press release on his website. “Unfortunately, our laws have not been sufficient enough to keep these kinds of people away from the children. This law will close the loophole that allowed a child sex offender to work a kiddie ride at the state fair last year. These people have no business being anywhere near children and unfortunately around children is likely where they would want to be employed.”

Childwelfare.org wrote that, nationwide, approximately 2 million children received abuse prevention services in 2020. Approximately 1.2 million children received post-response services (such as family preservation, family support, or foster care) because of needs discovered during an investigation or alternative response. During the federal fiscal year 2020, fewer than one-quarter (21.8%) of confirmed maltreatment victims were removed from their homes because of an investigation or alternative response.

As part of the awareness, ABC Heart of Illinois reported the Department of Child and Family Service (DCFS) is hosting virtual training on child abuse and neglect prevention awareness messages and prevention.

In Illinois, recent deaths of children have spurred calls for an audit of the DCFS. 

WANDTV reported there have been three child abuse deaths in the state in 2022 as of early April. Each child mentioned by lawmakers was living in central Illinois at the time of their deaths.

The children include Sophia Faye Davis in Mechanicsburg, Zaraz Walker in Bloomington and Navin Jones in Peoria.