HR0767 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0767 LRB104 21307 ECR 36121 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, April is annually recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, as the prevention services developed by this cooperation can help parents, caregivers, and communities protect children and strengthen families; and

WHEREAS, According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, over 125,000 children are affected by child abuse in the State annually; and

WHEREAS, The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was passed in 1974; while it has been amended many times over the years, the purpose of the original legislation is still intact; nevertheless, the United States Congress made a further commitment to implementing solutions to child abuse in the early 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the alarming rate at which children continued to be abused and neglected and the need for new programs to prevent child abuse as well as assist parents and families affected by mistreatment, the United States Senate and House of Representatives resolved that the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week should be designated during the week of June 6 through June 12, 1982; and

WHEREAS, The first National Child Abuse Prevention Month was then declared in April 1983, and since then, child abuse awareness activities have been promoted across the country during the month of April each year, such as the Blue Ribbon Campaign initiative; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Ribbon Campaign had its early beginnings as a Virginia grandmother's tribute to her grandson who died as a result of abuse; she tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car as a way to honor his memory and to warn her community of the tragedy of child abuse; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Ribbon Campaign has since expanded all over the country, with many wearing blue ribbons each April in memory of victims of child abuse, fundraisers taking place to support prevention activities, and candlelight vigils being held as memorials; and

WHEREAS, In more recent years, the focus of Blue Ribbon Campaign has shifted towards a more positive message of celebrating individuals, communities, and organizations who have contributed to the prevention of child abuse; and

WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Month has been recognized by the nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse America every April since its designation in 1983; for 2026, the nonprofit's theme is "Every day, we help positive childhood experience take root" in acknowledgment that we need to work together to cultivate relationships, connections, and environments to ensure every child thrives; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is strongly committed to preventing child abuse and ensuring that individuals, organizations, and communities are actively working to eliminate and prevent child abuse statewide; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.