From the McHenry County Circuit Court:

New Coordinator Appointed for Family Violence Coordinating Council, Kate Webster Stepping Up

(Woodstock, IL) Kate Webster has been appointed as Coordinator of the 22 nd Judicial Circuit’s
Family Violence Coordinating Council. Ms. Webster’s appointment coincides with the
retirement of long-time Coordinator, Linda Hooten.

Ms. Hooten served as Coordinator for the Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC) since 2018.

Ms. Hooten stated,

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as coordinator and working alongside so many wonderful professionals who all strive to make a difference in our community.  

“The Council members’ dedication, ideas, and wisdom were the reasons we achieved a great deal and made our county a model to others.” During her tenure, the FVCC provided numerous training opportunities and strengthened relationships with many county offices and law enforcement agencies.

“I am so proud of what the FVCC was able to accomplish these last few years and want our council to continue to move forward with awareness, education, and support for all aspects of family violence. Kate shares the Council’s dedication to stop family violence and will be a great fit for this role as the new coordinator.” 

Stepping into the role, Ms. Webster will work with area providers and law enforcement agencies to develop committees which will work to enhance awareness, response and services to those affected by family violence in the community.

Ms. Webster is presently the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of McHenry County where she presents on child abuse prevention, child sex trafficking, and technology safety.

She comes to this position with years of working in the community as a teacher, foster parent, and working at the CAC.

She excels in fostering strong partnerships and understands the importance of positive relationships to advance awareness.

The mission of the 22nd Judicial Circuit of McHenry County is to be the guardian of life, liberty and property to all seeking access to justice, by adhering to practices that ensure equality, fairness and onfidence in the judiciary.

The Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councils (IFVCC) was convened by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1993 and transferred to the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority in 2000 to enhance the management of IFVCC’s financial resources and operations.

Originally founded in April, 2007, the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordination Council (FVCC) established a forum to improve the institutional, professional and community response to family violence including child abuse, domestic abuse, and elder abuse, to coordinate intervention and services for victims and perpetrators, and, to contribute to the improvement of the legal system and the administration of justice.

Many collaborative partners worked on the council, including the Child Advocacy Center, Turning Point, Senior Service Associates, Family Alliance, local law enforcement agencies including the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, Department of Probation and Court Services, the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Centegra Health System, Rosecrance, Gateway Foundation, Regional Office of Education, McHenry County College and Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

The Council has hosted an annual Spring Symposium on topics including Elder Abuse, Child Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Stalking and Sexual Assault.

If you would like to volunteer to work with the FVCC, please contact Kate Webster at KEWebster@22ndcircuit.illinoiscourts.gov.