Crime Victims United of Illinois Congratulates HANNAH’S CAMPAIGN!! One Young Victim Makes A BIG Difference
THE TOGETHER CAMPAIGN
My name is Hannah and in the fall of 2004 my life changed forever. I am the victim of a stalker who over several years has kept me under surveillance, called me names and threatened to kill me. On some days I open my eyes, look out my window and see my stalker standing outside of my house. It is terrifying especially since last October this person bluntly told me that they were going to kill me. I just stood there frozen in fear, unable to run away. My family and I are working with the
local police department to find the best possible outcome in this situation.
Unfortunately, the Stalking Laws in Illinois did not cover my situation. In Illinois to be considered a stalker, there needs to be a domestic relationship and this person and me were barely ever friends, so I could find no relief from my stalker under Illinois’ law.
I decided to see if I could change the law and contacted Representative Crespo and Senator Noland and told them my story. They worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Legislative Office and HB693 passed both the Illinois House and Senate on May 14th. This new law will allow anyone who needs an Order of Protection to obtain one whether they were in a relationship with the person who wants to harm them or not. Governor Quinn signed the Bill into Law in August 2009. See photos in this section of me and my family with Rep. Crespo, Governor Quinn, Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez, and Jennifer Bishop Jenkins of IllinoisVictims.Org. 
I recently attended a “Voices for Illinois Children” Leadership Committee Meeting. During this meeting I learned that the current budget crisis will have great effect on all of the agencies that work to help children who are the victims of crime. If you have never had to utilize these services, you of course have no idea how much support they provide. As I left the meeting I told my Mom that I had to do something.
My goal is to distribute one purple ribbon for each child who has been the victim of a crime or is homeless in the state of Illinois. I hope
that by asking people to wear a ribbon representing a child, we can have a conversation about what is really important. We all need to come
TOGETHER and become empowered in order to make a change.
I hope that my campaign will do the following:
1. Raise awareness of the childr2. Encourage a conversation through out Illinois of how we are going to continue to provide services during the current economic crisis.
3. Provide an opportunity to empower people (young and old) to make a difference in their community.
These statistics were taken from a variety of sources and are an estimate at best:
1. According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services 29,873 children were “indicated” victims of child abuse or neglect (as
of May 2009 23,899 were indicated cases).
2. According to the Information Clearinghouse, 6,040 children are homeless in Illinois.
It is important to note that I feel it is very important to also remember the juvenile offenders. While I am not distributing ribbons in
their honor, these young people need to be remembered. If we really care about the futures of our communities, we have to have a conversation
about preventing young people from committing crimes. I realize that the person who is stalking me is not a healthy person. Perhaps more could have been done to prevent this escalation….this is a conversation I want us to have.
How you can help my Together Campaign.
1. You/ your organization can pledge to make and distribute purple ribbons. All you need to do is email together29000@gmail.com , tell me the name of your organization and the number of ribbons you pledge to distribute.
2. Contact children advocacy agencies in your community and volunteer or make a donation. These organizations have a wide variety of needs, so don’t delay….contact one and help TODAY!
3. Contact your elected officials and talk to them about the importance of funding preventative measures. Let’s work TOGETHER to help young people who have been victimized before they complete the cycle.
I hope to add your organization/name to my list of participants!
Thank you for your time,
Hannah
Email: together29000@gmail.com
or call 224-430-0250
Thank you for helping!
Ted and Brigid Trimble
Marsha Perryman/ St. Alexis Hospital
Wasco Diamonds Fastpitch
Mom’s on a Mission to Stop Violence
Bartlett Silverhawks Softball
Jacob’s Ladder counceling
Laural Bault
IllinoisVictims.Org
To CONTACT HANNAH’S CAMPAIGN:
Email: together29000@gmail.com or call 224-430-0250