Seven hospitals, two public health departments, a community college and an assisted and extended living center from across a three-county region in Illinois received “Award for Excellence” plaques for addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse as a public health concern.

The awards were presented by Illinois Health Cares, a state-wide health initiative working to educate and bring awareness about the adverse health consequences caused from direct and indirect exposure to violence.

IHC special projects coordinator Christine Chalkey for LaSalle, Livingston and Bureau counties recognized the facilities and individuals saying, “Every hospital across the three counties realizes the importance of working together to end violence and should be commended for their collaborative efforts to educate and bring awareness to employees, patients and the public about the bad health effects caused by exposure to violence.”