Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councils

Internet Safety Information

Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Family Violence Coordinating Councils (FVCC), at both the state and local/ circuit level, is to establish a forum to improve the institutional, professional and community response to family violence including child abuse, intimate partner/domestic abuse, and elder abuse; to engage in education, prevention, and coordination of intervention and services for victims and perpetrators of child abuse, domestic abuse and elder abuse; to engage in education and prevention; coordination of intervention and services for victims and perpetrators; and to contribute to the improvement of the legal system and the admintistartion of justice.

Council Chair

The Honorable Michael J. Sullivan, Chief Judge, 22nd Judical Circuit

 

Coordinator Contact Information
Bev Thomas     bthomas@mchenry.edu
McHenry County College, Shah Center

4100 West Shamrock Lane

McHenry, IL  60050

815-479-7792

Description of Committee Structure and Membership of the Council
The 22nd Judicial Circuit’s FVCC is made up of four committees: A Steering, Education, Faith and Court/Law Enforcement Committees. The Steering Committee, meeting quartely, is chaired by Judge Sullivan, and is made up of Executive Directors, Committee Chairs, Ministers, Judges, the States' Attorney, elected officials and others in leadership roles who have the ability to make decisions within their respective organizations.

The Education, Faith and Court/Law Enforcement Committees, each with their own chair-person, meet monthly.  Membership is drawn from domestic violence, sexual assault, partner abuse and elder abuse agencies, law enforcement, the State's Attorney's Office, schools, hospitals, DCFS, the Child Advocacy Center, CASA, probation, ministers, social service agencies, McHenry County Crisis Services and McHenry County College.

Accomplishments of the Council
The 22nd Judicial Circuit was formed in December 2006. The FVCC successfully began operations within the judicial circuit since the hiring of a Local Coordinator in April of 2007. All committees were initiated from that point and are all actively meeting and working on goals for the Council. In addition, the Council has hosted three annual Fall Symposiums, including a very successful event with presentations provided by the National Stalking Resource Center with more than 165 participants.  We are also pleased to report that in cooperation with Centegra Health System and the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Office, we presented a comprehensive five day Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training in June 2009.

The Education Committee has developed and distributed a Key Indicators Sheet, in English and Spanish that will be used by emergency response and medical personnel, schools, social workers and others in identifying abuse and providing emergency referrals.  The FVCC presented additional and more extensive training in partnership with McHenry County schools in September 2009 with the Schools Respond to Family Violence Program.  Continuing plans for co-sponsoring a seminar on elder abuse with Senior Service Associates will be held in Spring 2010.  The Faith Committee held their first seminar in September 2008 titled, "Recognizing Abuse:  A seminar for Clergy and Lay People in the Faith Community."  A faith-based presentation on recognizing family violence for clergy, church personnel and lay leaders will be held on April 17, 2010 to focus on awareness and education of domestic voilcene issues and how a church can establish a ministry.  The Court/Law Enforcement Committee has already streamlined the procedures regarding Orders of Protection between the States' Attorney's Office, probation and the domestic violence agency in the county.  Protocol trainings have been well-received at Law Enforcement and Fire Department roll calls and will continue through 2010.  The annual Canglelight Vigil took place this past October on the Woodstock Square, remembering those whose lives have been touched by domestic violence. 

The FVCC of the 22nd Judicial Circuit has an active and frequently updated website, which can be found at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/22fvcc/.