NW Illinois News

In an April 3 Facebook post, Illinois state Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) announced that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family without fear of neglect or abuse," she said in the 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"

McCombie sponsored House Bill 3218 and brought it to the clerk of the House on Feb. 16. It moved to the Senate on March 23, where state Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) is its chief sponsor.

McCombie and Curran are not the only ones who see April as a good time to raise awareness on the topic.

"We all have a responsibility to ensure children have positive experiences; and families have the resources they need, when they need them," Denise McCaffrey, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, said in an April 3 state press release. "Building healthy communities takes work but the results are worth it."

There are events occurring throughout the month to highlight the issue of child abuse and how to prevent it. Visit calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=preventioncalendar&&jsenabled=1&winh=754&winw=1479&inifr=false to learn more.

McCombie was elected to represent the 71st District in 2016, the General Assembly website said. She is a lifelong resident of Savanna and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University. She is Illinois' first woman House Republican Leader. She owns and operates Blue Appraisals and is a real estate broker with MelFoster Company. Her previous political experience includes time as mayor of Savanna and as a member of the Savanna City Council.