Bill Text: IL SR0802 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-25 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler [SR0802 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0802-Introduced.html

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SR0802 LRB103 39705 ECR 70137 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a major social problem
in Illinois; according to the U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services Child Maltreatment Report for 2022, 35,330
neglect and maltreatment cases were reported in Illinois in
2022, and 1,955 child fatalities were reported nationally in
2022; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 100,000 cases of
abuse go unreported each year; the impact of abuse on children
manifests itself in various ways; the affected children may
experience a range of emotional, psychological, and physical
trauma resulting from abuse or neglect; and
WHEREAS, There are various organizations and agencies
devoted to combatting this concern; such groups seek to
provide preventative solutions and possible exit strategies to
at-risk youth and victimized children; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Congress designated June 6-12 as
National Child Abuse Prevention Week; the following year,
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April to be the first
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that
continues to this day; and

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WHEREAS, Illinois law requires that mandated reporters,
including most professionals employed within education,
healthcare, law enforcement, and social work sectors, report
suspected child neglect or abuse; and
WHEREAS, Healthcare professionals and concerned private
parties continue to educate parents and raise awareness of
child abuse within the State; and
WHEREAS, Effective preventative measures concerning child
abuse succeed because of partnerships created between the
courts, social service agencies, schools, religious
organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and
civilian communities; the establishment of an Illinois Child
Abuse Prevention Month would cohesively promote such
successful partnerships aiming to eradicate the social ill of
child abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month promotes
the social and emotional well-being of children and families
and thus serves to acknowledge the importance of community
cooperation throughout the nation with respect to the
prevention of child abuse and neglect; the institution of an
Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Month would functionally
reiterate such principles within Illinois and would reinforce
Illinois' commitment to educating residents and helping

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prevent any more children from being subjected to child abuse
and neglect; therefore, be it