Envision a life without Domestic Violence Services and say NO MORE CUTS, CHOOSE REVENUE
CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—October 1, 2015. The Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network will host a rally on October 1 to launch the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event will take place outdoors at the James Thompson Center Plaza, 100 W. Randolph Street from noon to 1 p.m.
Confirmed Speakers include: Illinois State Senator Heather Steans; Illinois Representative Litesa Wallace; Jennifer Cushman, Field Coordinator & Public Policy Specialist for the Responsible Budget Coalition; Yesenia Maldonado, Executive Director of Between Friends; Mayra Salgado, Member of the Coalición de Mujeres del Suroeste de Chicago; Kathleen Doherty, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network.
Victims and their children face the dire choice to stay in violent homes or leave and risk homelessness, as Governor Rauner and state officials continue to cut and withhold funds for vital domestic violence services. Ongoing cuts exhaust the reserves of service providers, leaving them with no choice but to close crucial programs. Cuts are a choice, NOT a necessity. There’s no excuse for putting women and children’s lives at risk when Springfield can Choose Revenue instead.
Securing steady income, locating stable housing, and accessing affordable child care are necessary conditions to break free of abuse. Domestic violence and other social service agencies provide this critical assistance to victims and their children as they rebuild a life free of violence.
Our organization is asking people from the community to donate infant and children’s shoes for a large-scale art installation during the rally. Serving as a powerful visual, the installation will be placed at the center of the plaza in recognition of the thousands of children who suffer silently the impact of domestic violence. We encourage the general public to take a stand against domestic violence by telling Springfield – No More Cuts, Choose Revenue.
Following the rally, a box of shoes will be hand delivered to the Governor’s office at the Thompson Center. All legislators will receive a mailing containing a shoe along with a letter demanding a resolution to the human services funding crisis.
We call on Governor Rauner and public officials in Springfield to Walk in Our Children’s Shoes, envision A Life without Domestic Violence Services –and say No More Cuts, Choose Revenue!
Source: Responsible Budget Coalition
