Pantagraph.com | News | County opens children's waiting room at courthouse

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Police Officer wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:22 AM:

" I am appalled and really disgusted at the comments made concerning the children's waiting room. This is a well thought out service, that has been very sucessful in other counties. To assume that only people who will be using this service are crackheads and criminals just shows how ignorant and biased some people are in this community. Sometimes I think this is the most arrogant, bigoted and prejudicial community around. How dare you make assumptions that the clients who will use this service are dirty, lazy and poor caretakers. Who the hell are to you to make such generalizations and judgements? Just because someone is need of financial assistance, does not make them a criminal. Perhaps many of you who hold such beliefs should leave your comfortable East side, white bread, corporate world and head over to my world and ride along with me sometime. You will see what I see everyday; that most of the "people" you are talking about are doing the best they can with what they have. Many are single moms working two jobs trying to make ends meet. Not in our Town? Bull! "

Good Luck wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:09 PM:

" Mr Kelly.. I understand that you are a well-known attorney in town, I've never heard anything but good things. It is clear this is the brainchild of your wife. I believe her (and your) intentions are good. Good Luck with this venture. I do suggest, however, that it is not the county's place to provide this service. This clearly sheds light into your (and your Wife's) political insights. I do not think you have wrong intentions, I believe you have a wrong philosophy in the role of the government and the unrealistic belief on how this will be effective. ONce again, I disagree but good luck you both nonetheless "

middle of the road dude wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:38 PM:

" this is all well and good I suppose i am just not shure how we are paying for it is all. Have you noticed that we are trillions in debt. I suppose we will have to pay even higher filing fees "

Tim Kelly wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:38 PM:

" Wow. Those are some interesting coments and some very strong opinions. The childrens room is a concept that has been very well received in a number of counties and has been used with great success. It's purpose and intent are for the best interests of the children. It's a progressive step for our county and it needs the community's support to succeed. Be positive and give it a chance. Come visit the room before you criticize it's purpose, effect and cleanliness. It's a good idea and a good place. "

Disgusted wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:38 PM:

" Leave it to Bloomington-ABnormal to take a perfectly wonderful and positive thing and completely trash talk it. I hope none of YOU ever needs help from ANYONE.... EVER!!! "

to Maybe: wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:19 PM:

" The courts aren't just for the Public AID people that you seem to be describing. There are many "normal" families in need of court. "

MJL wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:17 PM:

" Again, I'm disgusted at the number of comments on this site. This is a great services, not without it's caveats. I grew up in a poor household with a single working mom, she wasn't a crack head and she couldn't afford daycare. This would have helped out in divorce proceedings instead of dragging two little ones in to an already stressful situation. where is the compassion in humanity anymore? "

To: Area Attorney wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:14 PM:

" Just what are you saying about the people in the court house? That they are not capable. If you go thru a background check, does that not mean anything. "

to Maybe: wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:12 PM:

" The courts aren't just for the Public AID people that you seem to be describing. There are many "normal" families in need of court. "

To Germ City: wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:10 PM:

" I hate to inform you but there are germs everywhere!! Seems to me that you may be trying to "stereo type" and suggest that only scum and trash are the type of kids this may be helping. I have news for you. People of all sorts have court issues that may involve children. I think this is a good idea as I seen many parents in court with children involved. And to JOKE, you are not paying for it unless for some reason you have a civil case against you. "

Jury duty wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:42 AM:

" How about a real daycare facility for the poor suckers picked for jury duty? I'm sure you can afford a babysitter on the huge sum the pay their jurors. "

Boiling Pot wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:04 AM:

" What happens when dirty and neglected child "A" hits, offends, or acts inappropriately to dirty and neglected child "B" in this situation. Certainly this "
"crisis nursery" is not a tradtional government service and the the county is replacing a private sector function. I'm not so sure that McLean county will be immune in this instance. This is bad bad bad. I believe this is more about political postering and favoritism with a mix of liberal idealism thrown in. Remember this story next time judicial vacancies open up folks. "

U People...... wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:26 AM:

" I am apalled by the inuendos, generalizations, and down-right crass comments from those who obviously are not in the need of this great public service. There are a lot of assumptions being made about who will use these services. This platform of blogging provides a way for cowards to say what they want to say. "Not in Our Town"........phooey! "

~~~~~~ wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Most individuals coming to the courthouse, that aren’t there to deal with a criminal matter, have enough SENSE to know that you DON’T bring children with you. So, yes, this is geared towards the people who are socially inept and probably aren’t the best caretakers in the world. It is a vicious cycle and these people who are already getting ‘assistance’ from the state have yet another free service they can take advantage… Who cares about the hard-workers who know better and who are trying to make an HONEST living and raise their children to be good people? I would never take my child there… Who knows what kind of brats, bad-tempered, ill-behaved children will be in there. And the volunteers? Do you really think they will be able to handle misbehaving children who have no respect for them because they are complete and utter strangers to the kids? Please, keep giving hand-outs… Therefore the people who would utilize this service have no reason to change their lives for the better… "

To: OMG wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:18 AM:

" In disputing the need for the children's waiting room, you have actually substantiated it. Thank you! I didn't realize the need was THAT strong, but I'll definitely be supporting the project now. Great insight!!! "

Jamesly wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:49 AM:

" I've got a wish list for ya'!!!! "

Way to go.... wrote on Feb 26, 2008 5:04 AM:

" let's give more hand outs. I agree with both "joke" and "Germ City". "

Ignorance is annoying wrote on Feb 26, 2008 2:55 AM:

" I work and still cannot afford daycare. Luckily, I don't have to, since I work midnights and my husband works days. I would have to bring my child to the court house because *I* am her daycare provider during the day, and by no means am I "living off of the government." To assume anyone who would need this service is dirty and irresponsible is ignorant. To "omg", the entire purpose of this service is to keep children from being exposed to the issues brought up in the courtroom. It is not an enabling tool, and I would have appreciated it when I had to supervise 3 children during a court hearing several years ago. If you don't want to utilize the service, then don't, but don't berate those that do or judge them based on assumptions about their lifestyle or economic status. "

OMG wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:07 AM:

" Oh, by all means let's enable these people more. Let's make it easy even for them to bring kids to the courthouse. Never make them accountable for anything. TO: pst: Sorry, but most of what's going on at the courthouse is criminal matters. Obviously, you don't know domestic violence is a crime, and who in their right mind would drag a kid to a custody hearing? I worked in another county as a probation officer, and I saw cockroaches crawl out of pantlegs, head lice, and lots of filthy, smelly people. Kids don't belong at courthouses watching the crap that goes on there........oh, and once a little 3 year old boy shouted out in the courtroom, "here come the bad boys" when the prisoners were brought in shackled together wearing their jumpsuits. Just what every kid should be exposed to at a young age. Send some volunteer babysitters to these people's homes. Don't ask the public for diapers, toys, and cribs for the courthouse. Just an absolutely ridiculous concept. How'd it get this far????? "

so funny wrote on Feb 25, 2008 11:08 PM:

" Why is it that people think the only ones that visit the courthouse are criminals? I am there OFTEN for child support hearings against my daughters father, and for little traffic tickets. Just last week I had to go in for a ticket I got for having a little dangly decoration on my rearview mirror... People of all sorts are there. This is an extremely judgemental place, im so tired of it...

And if these are qualified caregivers, they will be cleaning. If your so concerned bring them down an air purifier, purell, clorox wipes, and some lysol and quit whining about it. The same germs are found in schools and other daycares, do you lock your children in bubbles?? You have to have germs to build a healthy immune system! "

big sister wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:26 PM:

" hey this would have been great when i was going through my deviorce with a 5 year old his father and i were both hard pressed and hated the fact that my son had to be in the room we had no other choice.. And i do not smoke crack. And i would have paid 10 $ an hour!! Great job !! "

idea wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:18 PM:

" many, (not all or most) parents who appear in court need to get on birth control. they can't take care of themselves let alone little kids. they get into trouble then drag kids into court. "

To PST wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:57 PM:

" The only difference between the crackhead using the facitity and me would be I can afford daycare. The courthouse is open during business hours, so when I have gone for a traffic offence I have had my child in daycare because I work and that is where he would be if I was working so why take him out to go to the courthouse? Ya so crackheads will be using it!!!Generally people going for oh civil cases, custody cases, domestic violence cases, property/land disputes wouldnt bring their child to the courthouse for a hearing unless well they were already living off of the government. Dont believe me go up there on a Monday and see for yourself! "

Area Attorney wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:19 PM:

" As an area attorney, I would seriously question a parent's judgment in looking after the best interest of their child if they utilized this facility. "

Good But wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:18 PM:

" The intentions here are good but completely void of thought. While many going through the courthouse are not "crackheads" there are a significant number of people who are econominally depressed and, as such, may not lead the cleanest lifestyles. Try as they may, this will be a haven of bacteria and germs. This is true whenever there is any congregation of children. Regardless of enconomic level. Further, many of the people who will use this, will abuse this. This McLean County Nursury will be closed in a year. Once again, intentions are good, but comletely void of rational thought. "

Not a crackhead wrote on Feb 25, 2008 8:42 PM:

" Excuse me, but not every case in that courthouse involves criminal or drug-related behavior. When I had to take my two-year-old son to a traffic hearing (before you ask, it was for insurance, and yes I did have it) I would have loved a place for him to go and watch cartoons or something, just so he didn't have to wait and be miserable and disruptive. This is for the CHILDREN, people, and it is MUCH needed. "

pst wrote on Feb 25, 2008 8:35 PM:

" For those who think that only "crackheads" are going to use this service, that just isn't true. There is more that goes on in that court house then criminal cases. There are civil cases, custody cases, domestic violence cases, property/land disputes, traffic tickets (and don't tell me you've never had one) etc..... Criminal cases are a fraction of what happends there everyday. "

maybe wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:24 PM:

" they should just make the parents pay a few bucks for this service! I'm sure they have money for other necessities - you know, cigarettes, beer, Big Mac, fries and a coke when they leave the courthouse! But, what the heck . . . we'll be supporting those kids in the waiting room along with their parents for many years to come - oh,yeah - and the many more they'll be reproducing! "

Great! wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:06 PM:

" What a great idea Lisa and Theresa and VERY much needed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice work! I hope the community supports this and sends you the cash donations you'll need to keep this program running. "

joke wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:01 PM:

" I'm sure that crackheads that are using this system are already getting enough free handouts from the state. I wish that I did not have to pay for a babysitter like this. I also agree with Germ City, I would never take my kid to this facility. "

GERM CITY wrote on Feb 25, 2008 5:38 PM:

" Can you imagine all the germs and viruses mutating in this room? No thanks. "

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