Governor Quinn Honored for Child Advocacy

CHICAGO – September 28, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today received the “Mental Toughness Extra Effort” (MTXE) Award from the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois in recognition of his achievements on behalf of Illinois’ children and their families. The honor highlights Governor Quinn’s continuing commitment to protecting vulnerable children and strengthening Illinois’ families.

“On behalf of the people of our state, I am honored to receive this award from the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “There is no greater reward than providing children with the opportunity to succeed. In our own way, each of us must work toward achieving that worthy goal.”

Children’s Advocacy Centers bring together law enforcement, prosecutors, abuse investigators and social workers to support children and families in cases of severe physical and sexual abuse. Under Governor Quinn, the State of Illinois supports 36 Child Advocacy Centers in communities across Illinois - the second highest number of any state in the nation. In the last year, 11,122 children who were sexually abused came through the doors of Children's Advocacy Centers.

"Governor Pat Quinn is receiving the MTXE Award, because he has continued to fight for the Children's Advocacy Centers and the abused children in Illinois,” said Billie Larkin, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois. "Very simply, Governor Quinn understands the role and responsibility of government in taking care of our children and our families.”

On June 17, when the General Assembly’s 50 percent budget threatened to close the doors of the Children’s Advocacy Centers, Governor Quinn visited the Chicago center and joined with community supporters, doctors and sexual abuse victims to demand the passage of budget that would preserve vital programs for our children and families. Governor Quinn vetoed that proposed 50 percent budget and then worked with the General Assembly to pass a budget that provides greater funding for many community programs, including Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Governor Quinn also signed a series of child welfare reform legislation to better support Illinois families in need, strengthen relationships between parents and children, and build better futures for youth transitioning from state care to adult independence. (comprehensive list of Governor Quinn’s successes for Illinois’ children)

For the last two years, Governor Quinn has been the Grand Marshall of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois Champions for Children Walk. In 2009, Governor Quinn cut the ribbon to launch the event, in which 796 people walked across the Illinois advocating for child abuse victims and children’s advocacy centers.