Our History

Providing hope, healing and justice for abused children, since 1995.

Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow, established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center offering child-sensitive interviews for law enforcement purposes, professional referrals to specialized pediatric medical exams, and referrals to local counseling services and community resources for child victims of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse.

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center is designed to reduce the stress experienced by child victims and nonoffending family members during the investigation process, improve case outcomes, and ensure that services are provided to all child victims

After spending much of his first 2 years in office reversing the surge in gang violence he inherited, State’s Attorney Glasgow turned his attention to the menace of child sexual abuse as the County had taken no steps to establish a Child’s Advocacy Center. His focus was to reduce the stress experienced by child victims and non-offending family members during the investigation process, improve case outcomes, and ensure that services are provided to all child victims.

In 1995 State’s Attorney Glasgow met with David Benfer, CEO of Saint Joseph Medical Center and secured a grant of $45,000 that would require matching funds. A subsequent meeting with Paul Pawlak, CEO of Silver Cross Hospital resulted in a pledge of a 3,000 square foot suite in the Rabbi Hershman Building.  A chance meeting with Jerry Emery of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) resulted in a what State's Attorney Glasgow calls "a truly divine intervention." After State’s Attorney Glasgow explained his search for matching funds, Mr. Emery responded "I just might be able to help you." He called the next day with a $60,000 grant. The Will County CAC opened later that year.

In 1999, the Friends of the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established to provide a formal avenue for securing donations from philanthropic individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to sustaining the Center’s vital mission.

Edward Hospital began providing medical exams at their specialized Care Center in 2002 and continues to provide those services today.

Within a year of opening, the Will County CAC was granted full membership status in the National Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, now known as the National Children’s Alliance, and earned full accreditation by 2004.

Recognizing a greater need, State’s Attorney Glasgow offered the Center’s services to both Kendall County and Grundy County until both counties were able to start their own centers (Kendall in 2007, Grundy in 2010) to serve children.

In 2012, State’s Attorney Glasgow established the Paws-4-Kids pet therapy program to comfort abused children who visit the Will County CAC with Jackson, a yellow Labrador Retriever licensed through Therapy Dogs International.

In 2015, evidence-based counseling services were added with the hiring of four full-time certified trauma therapists who provide individual and group trauma therapy for children and non-offending family members. That same year, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow honored those who were instrumental in establishing the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center and/or enabling it to continue its important work:

• Sister Coletta Hennessy - Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center
• Paul Pawlak - Silver Cross Hospital
• Illinois Department of Children & Family Services
• Dr. Sangita Rangala - Care Center at Edward Hospital

In 2016, Kiwi, a 2-year old Black Labrador facility dog, was donated by Support Dogs, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization accredited by Duo Dogs (formerly known as Assistance Dogs International).

In 2023, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant and the Will County Board led by Chair Judy Ogalla, purchased an existing brick and frame commercial building at 1206 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill to be the child-focused setting for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center; designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and neutral space for the CAC’s important work. The 1.5 story building was built in 2008 as a preschool with a total of 16,359 sq. ft. of above-ground space and a full, finished 10,780 sq. ft. basement that included outdoor areas with playground amenities and equipment, a large training room with stage, an elevator, and a parking lot for 70 vehicles. The space provided a variety of assets that support CAC operations and provide opportunities for expansion, including a fenced area for therapy dogs, and lots of rooms for victim sensitive forensic interviews, and individual and group therapy.

In August 2023, State's Attorney Glasgow donated 7-month old English Cream Golden Retriever rescue puppy, Krypto, to the Will County CAC.

In 2024, after the Office of Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino staff completed the process of renovating the first floor of the building, the Will County Children's Advocacy Center officially moved to 1206 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill. The new building included 2 forensic interview rooms, 3 family waiting rooms, 2 multidisciplinary team observation rooms, and multiple individual and group therapy rooms as well as private offices for CAC staff and interns, and office space that MDT members can utilize while at the CAC.

In April 2024, State's Attorney Glasgow donated rescued, 7-month old yellow Labrador Retreiver puppy, Bridget, to the Will County CAC.