About Us
Along with our multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners, we are front-line responders to severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, commercial exploitation, neglect & exposure to violence of children, ages 3-17, in Will County, Illinois.
Our Services
Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) comprised of law enforcement, DCFS investigators, medical personnel, prosecutors, and Will County CAC forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists provide:
Support Us
In 1999, FRIENDS OF THE WILL COUNTY CAC - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was created to accept donations from caring and generous individuals, businesses, and organizations. We rely on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to provide our critical services — at no charge to children and families in need.
New Children’s Advocacy Center Board Members: Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle & Silver Cross CEO Michael Mutterer
JOLIET- Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, founded by Glasgow in 1995,…
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FARMERS WEEKLY REVIEW | CAC Finally Finds Its Forever Home
By Nick Reiher, Editor-in-Chief As the bright, clear skies began to darken under the shadow of the moon the after-…
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HERALD NEWS | Will County’s New Children’s Advocacy Center Built to Help Kids Feel Safe
Original link: www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/04/09/will-countys-new-childrens-advocacy-center-bigger-and-softer By BOB OKON The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center on Monday celebrated the opening of its new…
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE | Will County Unveils New Center Where Child Abuse Victims Can Get Through What ‘May Be the Hardest Day of their Lives’
Original Link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/09/will-county-childrens-advocacy-center-new-location-crest-hill/ By MICHELLE MULLINS | Chicago Tribune Will County officials this week unveiled the new Children’s Advocacy Center,…
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PATCH | Children’s Advocacy Center Opens New Building
Last year, the Will County CAC served 700 children from Will County and neighboring counties. That number has been growing…
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Will County Children’s Advocacy Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Crest Hill Building
CREST HILL – The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) today celebrated the opening of its new location at 1206…
Read MoreGlasgow Announces New Children’s Advocacy Center Board Members
JOLIET – State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center unanimously approved the appointment of…
Read MoreWill County Agency That Investigates Child Abuse to Expand Services with Purchase of Larger Facility
By MICHELLE MULLINS | Chicago Tribune January 6, 2023 The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center will move from its…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow Announces AT&T Contributes $20,000 to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that AT&T Illinois has donated $20,000 to the Will County Children’s…
Read MoreWill County State’s Attorney Glasgow Names Jackie Lundquist CAC Assistant Director
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that Senior Forensic Interviewer Jackie Lundquist MSW has been named…
Read MoreCOVID 19 Was No Bar for the Call to Help Children
COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in Joliet addressed it. …
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Will County Children’s Advocacy Center Earns Reaccreditation by National Children’s Alliance
JOLIET, IL – Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow announced today that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Will County Children’s Advocacy Center Receives Three Grants Totaling $604,000
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has been selected to receive three grants for…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Prosecutor Jeff Brown Elected Vice President of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois Board of Directors
Joliet – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Jeff Brown, an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Sex Crimes…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow Announces $450,000 Federal Grant For Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has been…
Read MoreWill County Children's Advocacy Center Honors Several Heroes
‘Real Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ featured keynote speaker Scott Cross who broke his four-decade silence to courageously testify that former…
Read MoreJoliet Golf Club Chef Returns to Defend MEN WHO COOK 1st Place Win
NASCAR fans don’t often find duck confit quesadillas on the menu at racetracks, but visitors to last year’s Men…
Read MoreFirst Secure Community Bank to Bring a Taste of the Blues Brothers to 11th Annual MEN WHO COOK – Presented by CITGO
(JOLIET, IL) First Secure Community Bank will bring a taste of the Blues Brothers when they serve up…
Read MoreWill County Children’s Advocacy Center Receives $75,000 Grant To Expand Resources For Child Sex Trafficking, Child Pornography Victims
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow has announced that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center was recently awarded…
Read MoreChildren’s Advocacy Center to Offer Trauma-Focused Counseling in Eastern Will County
Register to Attend Trauma-Focused Child & Family Therapy OPEN HOUSE JOLIET— When Will County Board Member Laurie Summers (D-Crete) learned…
Read MoreWill County Children’s Advocacy Center Welcomes New Board Member, Receives $2,500 Donation from Frankfort Township
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that Chris Brown, Government Affairs Manager for CITGO Petroleum, has…
Read MoreWill County Children’s Advocacy Center Bids Farewell to Board Member Joe Kocek
JOLIET – The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center yesterday honored Joe Kocek, a retired Tinley Park Police Commander who is…
Read MoreGlen Marcum Service Award to be presented to Pipefitters Local 597
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow will honor Pipefitters Local 597 with the Glen Marcum Selfless Dedication To Community Service…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow, Children’s Advocacy Center host countywide summit to end child sex trafficking
State’s Attorney James Glasgow hosted a Child Sex Trafficking Summit on Friday to outline strategies to end the horrific exploitation…
Read More10th annual MEN WHO COOK fundraiser features new Chicagoland Speedway location; professional/commercial cook category added
State’s Attorney Glasgow to present Glen Marcum Award to Pipefitters Local 597 JOLIET – The organizers for MEN WHO COOK,…
Read MoreWill County Children’s Advocacy Center receives $75,00 federal grant to expand resources for victims of child trafficking, child pornography
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is pleased to announce that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center has…
Read MoreSilver Cross CEO brings vast experience, passion for protecting children to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center Board
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Colby, President and CEO…
Read MoreR.A.C.E. Foundation makes $1,500 contribution to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow recently thanked the team at Chicagoland Speedway’s R.A.C.E. Foundation for a $1,500…
Read MoreWill County State’s Attorney Glasgow and Children’s Advocacy Center Hosting Jan. 16 Community Blood Drive
In honor of late SAO investigator, Jim Stewart, a dedicated blood donor. LOCATION: Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, 304 N. Scott…
Read MoreShorewood Police make generous $3,000 contribution to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow welcomed a recent visit by Shorewood Police Department members who presented a…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow, Will County Children’s Advocacy Center to host training on recognizing signs of child sex trafficking
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow will deliver the welcoming comments to a one-day training session that will…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow thanks Crest Hill Police Association for donating golf outing proceeds to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – The Crest Hill Police Association continued its generous and longstanding support for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center…
Read MoreITW, United Way volunteers paint interior of new Children’s Advocacy Center
The Herald-News – October 16, 2017 Link to originally published article: https://willcountycac.org/owner-of-joliet-insurance-agency-is-first-time-participant-in-men-who-cook-joe-garbin-cooks-for-the-love-of-cooking/?fl_builder Volunteers from ITW Deltar Fasteners in Frankfort and United Way…
Read MoreWill County Children’s Advocacy Center receives $425,000 grant to expand services to victims of child sexual abuse
JOLIET— Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow thanked the Will County Board for its unanimous vote to increase funding for…
Read MoreAT&T contributes $3,000 to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center through new Corporate Partnership Program
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow was pleased recently to accept a $3,000 contribution on behalf of the…
Read MoreLeopardo helps to launch Will County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Corporate Partnership Program with $10,000 contribution
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow was pleased recently to accept a $10,000 contribution on behalf of the…
Read MoreNinth annual Men Who Cook draws largest, hungriest crowd in its history, shatters fundraising record for Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that the 9th annual Men Who Cook culinary competition to benefit…
Read MoreState’s Attorney Glasgow establishes community service award honoring Glen Marcum; first award to be presented at Men Who Cook
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that he has established a new award named after long-time Joliet-area…
Read MoreOwner of Joliet insurance agency is first-time participant in Men Who Cook: Joe Garbin cooks for the love of cooking
By DENISE M. BARAN–UNLAND [email protected] The Herald-News Link to original story: https://willcountycac.org/owner-of-joliet-insurance-agency-is-first-time-participant-in-men-who-cook-joe-garbin-cooks-for-the-love-of-cooking/?fl_builder JOLIET – Joe Garbin cooks because he likes…
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A Mom's Experience
I was deeply in love with an intelligent, romantic, charismatic & handsome man that I married after years of dating. My children were crazy about their stepfather, who was dedicated, loving, patient, understanding & attentive as a father & husband.
When I returned home from a hospitalization that left my husband in charge of the kids and house, my daughter told me that her stepfather sexually molested her while I was gone. I felt as if I had walked into a living nightmare.
At the CAC, I was given all the support, education, advocacy, information & direction that I could want. They walked me through the difficult process. They provided counseling for my children & me, & they advocated for us in the legal & DCFS maze.
Thanks to the Will County CAC, my children and I have begun to heal. We are taking back our power, and our self-esteem and dignity have returned.
The Will County CAC staff are fierce & tireless advocates for victims of abuse & their families. They are nothing short of angels on earth & I am very grateful for the work, time, energy & sincere caring & passion they pour into their work every day.
We depend on the help of generous donors to carry out our life-changing mission.
Please make a secure, online donation to support our programs that provide HOPE, HEALING & JUSTICE for children who have endured sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, neglect and exposure to violence.
If you suspect a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect, call 911 or the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-287) or TTY 1-800-358-5117.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger that could result in death or serious harm, call 911 first. Your confidential call will not only make sure the child is safe, but also help provide the child’s family the services they need to provide a safe, loving and nurturing home. In non-emergency situations, anyone may may report suspected child abuse or neglect using the Online Reporting System.
How you react if a child comes to you and says they’ve experienced abuse is important! How you react can make a lasting impression.
- Remain calm.
- Avoid any expression of denial, shock, or disgust at what you’ve been told.
- Resist the urge to interrogate or ask doubt-oriented questions such as “are you sure?”
- Reassure the child that coming to you was the right thing and they’ve done nothing wrong.
- Report it to police, as soon as possible!
It takes a lot of courage and trust for a child to come forward and express what they’re going through, especially if it involves loved ones. Offering support and reassurance can help reinforce that they’ve made the right decision.
What if I’m not absolutely sure abuse is occurring?
Unfortunately, as much as 70% of child abuse goes unreported, and a child tells an average of 7 adults that they are being abused or neglected before a report is made. Every delay in reporting suspected abuse or neglect increases the likelihood that abuse will become more serious, or even deadly, and that the perpetrator will abuse additional children. By trusting your own senses, common sense and instincts, and making a report whenever you suspect a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, you can ensure a child is safe and that her family is getting the help they need.
For more information about reporting child abuse or neglect, read the Care Enough to Call brochure in English, español or Chinese (中国).
All children receiving services at the Will County Children's Advocacy Center MUST be referred by either a police department/law enforcement agency, or the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Address: 1206 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill, IL 60403
Phone: 815.774.4565 | Fax: 815.774-4569
Law Enforcement & DCFS Only Emergency Phone: 815/641-7986
Email: [email protected]