Kane County Reporter

At the recent Village Board Meeting on April 14th, the Village of Montgomery aligned with national efforts to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The meeting featured an official proclamation and an awareness presentation focused on protecting vulnerable children in the region.

Kristina Nemetz, Communications Manager for the Village of Montgomery, underscored the vital role of community collaboration in addressing child abuse and neglect. “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment," stated Nemetz. She highlighted the work of organizations like CASA and Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART), noting they provide necessary services for vulnerable children.

The presentation recognized the contributions of law enforcement and healthcare professionals, particularly honoring Erica Lopez, Montgomery’s Police Social Worker, and Detective Gina Galanis for their dedication. Detective Galanis was praised for working with the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office and her involvement with SART to ensure justice and care for child victims.

Mayor Matt Brolley read the Village's proclamation, affirming the Board’s dedication to preventing child abuse and supporting frontline organizations. The presentation shared statistics on child abuse, revealing 34 reports of abuse/neglect within the last two years and indicating about 50 children have been removed from homes or placed in foster care over the past year and a quarter.

Present were representatives from key organizations, including CASA of Kendall County, CASA of Kane County, and the Kane County State's Attorney's Office Child Advocacy Center. Additionally, members from the Sexual Assault Response Team spoke out, highlighting their critical work.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the Village of Montgomery to support these efforts and create a safer community for all children. To remain informed about village events, visit montgomeryil.org.