At the April 14th Village Board Meeting, the Village of Montgomery joined communities across the nation in recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month with the presentation of an official proclamation and a powerful awareness presentation highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect and advocate for vulnerable children in our region.
Communications Manager for the Village of Montgomery, Kristina Nemetz, delivered heartfelt remarks emphasizing the importance of collaborative community work in combating child abuse and neglect. "Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment," said Nemetz. "Unfortunately, that's not the reality for some—and that's where incredible organizations like CASA, our County State's Attorney's Child Advocacy Centers, and the Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) step in. These agencies provide vital services and support to some of our most vulnerable children, offering a voice when they need it most."
The presentation honored the vital contributions of law enforcement, forensic interviewers, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), and social workers—specifically acknowledging Erica Lopez, Montgomery's Police Social Worker, and Detective Gina Galanis for their commitment to child advocacy. Detective Galanis was commended for her collaboration with the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office and her work on the SART, ensuring child victims receive the justice and care they deserve.
Montgomery Mayor Matt Brolley officially read the Village's proclamation, reinforcing the Board's and the community's commitment to preventing child abuse and supporting the organizations on the front lines of this critical work. Throughout the presentation, many sobering statistics were shared, including the number of child abuse/neglect reports in the Village in the last two years (34), and that approximately 50 kids within Montgomery have been removed from their homes or placed in foster homes in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
Representatives from numerous partner organizations were present, including:
- CASA of Kendall County: Heidi Baird, Executive Director
- CASA of Kane County: Elizabeth Serediuk, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
- Kane County State's Attorney's Office Child Advocacy Center: Kallie Sakamoto (Victim Advocate) and Sara Innocenti (Forensic Interviewer)
- Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) from Rush Copley and Northwestern Medicine: Gina Becker-Espinoza, Carmel Filip, Mindi Robles, Deja Brown, and Jeana Friday
The board floor was then opened to allow representatives from CASA, CAC, and SART to speak directly to the trustees and community about their work and the critical needs of children impacted by abuse.
The Village of Montgomery remains committed to working with these organizations to create a safer, more supportive community for all children. For more information on the village's happenings and events, visit montgomeryil.org.