Homer Glen Resident Named Co-Chair Of Child Advocacy Group

HOMER GLEN, IL — Riverside Police Chief and Homer Glen resident Thomas Weitzel has been chosen as co-chair of the nonpartisan child advocacy group, Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois. According to a release, Weitzel will be taking over for Granite City Police Chief Rich Miller, who recently retired.

Weitzel said, "I am honored to be asked by Executive Director Tim Carpenter to serve. I have been affiliated with Fight Crime, Invest in Kids for over 10 years and have actively lobbied in Springfield on behalf of child advocacy issues at the local, state, and national levels."

"I have long been a proponent that our tax dollars allocated for child care should not be swept, taken, or commandeered by any other state agency," he added. "I have also testified in Springfield on many occasions on bipartisan legislation that would benefit programs like Early Childhood education, Redeploy Illinois, Home Visiting, and other evidence-based child welfare programs for Illinois."

According to the organization's website, the group looks at strategies proven to reduce crime. Members make the case for solutions that cut crime and put kids on the path to productive lives.

Weitzel’s co-chairs are: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Union County State’s Attorney Tyler Edmonds, and Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim.

Photo provided by Thomas Weitzel.