Channahon Mayor Elected to Will County Children's Advocacy Center Board

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces the election of Channahon Mayor Missey Moorman Schumacher to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Board of Directors.

Schumacher, who was elected Mayor in 2015, replaces founding CAC Board Member Mike Mikuska of Mickey Companies, who is stepping down after 20 years of service.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, who chairs the board of directors, established the Children’s Advocacy Center 20 years ago as a not-for-profit agency to improve investigations into cases involving child sexual abuse. When children make an outcry of sexual abuse, they are brought to the center, where trained and compassionate forensic interviewers obtain an accurate statement in a neutral, non-suggestive and child-friendly environment.

Interviews recorded at the center have been used to successfully prosecute thousands of child predators. In addition, the center’s experienced staff provides children and families with advocacy, counseling and social services that enable the healing process to begin.

Schumacher has a background in elementary education and psychology. She also brings extensive background working in the community with children and local police. She worked closely with the Channahon Police Department in 2009 to establish Will County’s first and only Peer Jury Program in which a panel of teen-agers determines appropriate punishments for local youths who commit certain minor offenses. In addition, she served with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) as an advocate for abused and neglected children.

She also serves on the Tri-River Police Training Board and is involved in WESCOM emergency dispatch center. She is a member of the Channahon Lions Club and participates in many community events with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties, the Three Rivers Library Family Night and government job shadow days for local junior high students.

“Mayor Schumacher has a tremendous passion for working with and protecting our children,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “She is a dedicated and innovative public servant. I am truly honored that she is putting her experience and creativity to work for an agency that is vital to law enforcement and to the entire community.”

The State’s Attorney added: “I would also like to thank Mike Mikuska for his many years of service to the Children’s Advocacy Center. His commitment and hard work were critical to the formation and growth of our agency.”

Schumacher said: “I believe the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center provides an essential service to vulnerable children throughout our community. It is our duty to make certain that the young victims of abuse receive not only justice and protection, but the advocacy and services necessary to help them begin to heal.”

Submitted by the Will County State's Attorney's Office. Photo courtesy of the WCSAO.