The coronavirus has changed almost everything we do. Sadly, an unintended consequence of Governor Pritzker’s executive order has been to require some unhappy families to “shelter-in-place” together. At a minimum, this can add stress to already stressful relationships. At worst, this can lead to domestic violence.

In a recent article in the Aurora Beacon News, Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon reported that child abuse cases have spiked in Kane County during the Covid-19 “stay at home” order. “it is alarming on a number of different levels,” McMahon said. “Families are more isolated, so there are a lot of contributing factors that kind of go into the home environment.”

McMahon said the pandemic has contributed to a level of economic uncertainty as many residents face layoffs or pay cuts, and this can take a toll on people’s mental health and anxiety levels. The article also pointed out that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and organizations like Waterford Counseling and Psychological Services provide access to counseling through video conferencing. No one is required to remain in an abusive relationship simply because of the governor’s order.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-kane-county-child-abuse-cases-st-0507-20200506-fmzsv5wdzfaeflvw26kf5l7qem-story.html

(See also: www.waterfordcounselingservices.com)

If you are in an abusive relationship, or if the stress of “shelter in place” challenges your relationship with your family, please ask for help. Also, if you are worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, call us anyway. Initial consultations are free, and we will work with your budget to set up affordable payments.

The bottom line is that you can still litigate your divorce or family law case, even in the midst of Illinois’ “stay at home” order. We here at the law firm of Camic, Johnson, Ltd. are committed to providing you with the same level of outstanding legal services we have been providing for the last 30 years. We just need to be more creative these days in how we provide those services. Contact us to discuss your case today so we can show you how we can help, and as always, we thank you for your trust in our firm.