Who We Are
The Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County was established in 1989 to help meet the needs of children in our community who have been abused. Over 900 CACs exist within the
United States and 34 countries around the world.
Serving as the leading resource to empower and heal children and families who have experienced abuse and prevent violence against children.
History of CAC
Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County was incorporated through initial funding from DCFS, United Way and Hanover Township Mental Health Board.
1989
In response to the expressed need of other communities in Northwest Cook County, the Center sought and received funding to expand its service area to include the entire Third Municipal District of Cook County.
1990
Renovations began in October on the old Hoffman Estates Health and Human Services Dept. to turn it into CAC’s headquarters. Thanks to the work of Former Mayor O’Malley of Hoffman Estates and lots of volunteers, the interior was renovated, and we moved in in 1993.
1992
The Center’s Board of Directors voted to expand the boundaries again to serve child victims in the Second Municipal District of Cook County. CAC now serves all 38 communities in the north and northwest Cook County area.
1995
CAC expands its interviewing locations to Hoffman Estates and Glenview to help service needs in our D2 area.
1998
Funding was received through the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority to launch Safe from the Start, a program under the umbrella of CAC which aims to prevent exposure to violence in children 0-5, and reduces the impact for those children who’ve already been exposed to violence.
2001
Seeing an increased need for therapy services in our D2 area, CAC opened an office in the Family Focus building in Evanston allowing us to meet with more clients from our service areas.
2012
CAC moved our Evanston office to 828 Davis St.
2018
Today, the Center, based in Hoffman Estates, serves 1,800 children and their families each year with the caring support they need to move forward with their lives and heal from abuse.
We staff 19 employees in 3 locations: Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, and Skokie.