The State of Illinois is broke. When I`m broke, I take a hard look at the way I use my remaining resources. Gov. Edgar is doing this as well, and has listed children and education as top priorities. I applaud these choices. Our future lies in our children and in their education.
As supervisor of children`s services at a shelter for battered women and children, I see daily the devastating effects domestic violence has on children. These children live in a constant state of anxiety, suffer from feelings of guilt for not being able to stop the violence, and live in perpetual terror of being abandoned by one or both of their parents.
Our domestic violence program offers services for these children whose mothers are abused. I call upon Gov. Edgar and lawmakers to be mindful that domestic violence is a serious threat to our children, and that we must continue to increase services which prevent further abuse of women and children in Illinois.
