Rock Island Today

State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Sterling) is lending her support to a supplies-gathering campaign in the region being led by local nonprofit organizations.

“Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) do the critical work of helping children with a comprehensive response to child abuse,” McCombie said in a press release explaining how and why she became involved in the effort.

In Illinois, children advocacy centers respond to allegation of child sexual abuse or severe physical abuse. Children are referred to a local CAC, where as part of the evaluation process an interview is conducted in a child-friendly environment by a trained professional in a way that does not re-traumatize the child. Members of the multidisciplinary team (medical and mental professionals, law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services and more) are all part of the process.

“Often, members of our community have no reason to know about the work of our children’s advocacy centers, but the work they do is critical when responding to children who have been abused,” McCombie said. “When I asked these organizations if they had needs for donations of supplies to do their important work, they sent over lists which my staff compiled into a universal wishlist to allow community members to help out.

McCombie said she expects her efforts to go over big all across the state.

“Our region is generous, and this is such an important cause, especially during the holiday season,” she said. “These organizations work with children when children need community support the most. They thoughtfully and professionally advocate for those victimized. Now, the children’s advocacy centers can use our support to help them in their important work. I know our region will step up to the cause.”

Supplies purchased in-person locally or purchased online may be delivered to McCombie’s office at 2510 Locust St #A, Sterling, IL 61081.

McCombie, who is reported to be weighing a 37th District Senate run after the recent Democrat-enacted redistricting plan placed her in the same district as fellow Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport), has also recently been urging parents to make sure their voices are heard on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to impose a statewide mask mandate on public and private school students alike across the state.

"Leader (Jim) Durkin has made an inquiry and I will advise ASAP,” McCombie said in a post to Facebook. “It is imperative that you communicate (respectfully) with your school boards and let them know you agree or disagree with this mandate on your kiddos. Silence implies consent."

The measure imposed by Pritzker also requires that all state employees working at congregate settings, such as long-term care facilities or veterans' homes, to have been vaccinated by early October and that teachers and staff members on all levels wear masks regardless of vaccination status.