Rockford Sun

Rep. Tony McCombie recently announced that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois.

“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family without fear of neglect or abuse,” McCombie wrote in a April 3 Facebook post. “I proudly backed a bill in the Illinois House to make this recognition a reality throughout Illinois – so that we can continue to promote the awareness and prevention of child abuse throughout our state. I am proud to have sponsored HB3218 making April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois. This Child Abuse Prevention Month we will continue the fight to protect our most vulnerable children and help families thrive in Illinois. #PreventChildAbuse”

House Bill 3218 was brought to the clerk of the House on Feb. 16, 2023. It moved to the Senate on March 23, 2023, where Sen. John F. Curran was the chief sponsor.

McCombie and Curran aren't the only ones who see April as a good time to raise awareness on the topic. In a state press release issued on April 3, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Director Denise McCaffrey said: "We all have a responsibility to ensure children have positive experiences; and families have the resources they need, when they need them. Building healthy communities takes work but the results are worth it."

There are various events occurring throughout the month to highlight the issue of child abuse and how to prevent it. Visit the Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Calendar to learn more.

McCombie was elected to represent the individuals living in the 71st District in 2016. She is a lifelong resident of Savanna, Ill., and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University, according to the Illinois General Assembly website. She owns and operates Blue Appraisals and is a real estate broker with MelFoster Company. Her previous political experience includes time as the mayor of Savanna, Ill., and as a councilor on the Savanna City Council.