SPRINGFIELD… State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) along with State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) and Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) will welcome McHenry County’s “Roar for AJ” group to the State Capitol for a rally to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse and ongoing failures at DCFS.
The rally will take place on Thursday, April 7 in the Capitol rotunda from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. marking the third anniversary of losing McHenry county native AJ Freund.
The “Roar for AJ” advocacy group continues to put local pressure on all the state wide politicians to start addressing the horrifying problems within the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services.
According to event organizer Tracy Kotzman, the group will display an empty pair of children’s shoes for each Illinois child who has died despite involvement by DCFS. The display is open to public and is meant to honor AJ Freund and all children who died as a result of abuse in their homes.
Rep. Reick said, “I continue to put forth solutions to my Democratic counterparts and have held over a dozen press conferences and roundtable discussions to advocate for much needed reforms to this system. I hope we can start addressing the root causes at this agency to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable Illinoisans.”
For additional information about the Roar for AJ Child Abuse Awareness Rally, please contact Jessica at jscaife@sgop.ilga.gov.