Republicans demand answers after DCFS Director held in contempt of court for the seventh time

Posted on March 23, 2022
State Rep. David Welters (R-Morris) said it’s unacceptable that DCFS can’t be better at protecting children in its care. (Photo courtesy: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.)

By Blake Haas and RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Another contempt of court for the head of DCFS in Illinois as the agency struggles to place children in proper care settings.

Last week, a Cook County Judge found DCFS Director Marc Smith in contempt for the seventh time after a 16-year old spent a year and a day in DCFS custody in a shelter that did not have the proper resources.

State Rep. David Welters (R-Morris) said it’s unacceptable that DCFS can’t be better at protecting children in its care.

“This should be a top priority for the legislator right here in Springfield. And it should be a top priority for Gov. Pritzker. We need to act, and we need to act now. We must demand full transparency; that is what is so important; decisions that are being made in this governers administration are passing by with limited to no transparency.

Why are over 13,000 children being reabused in a single year?”

Republicans note almost 42,000 children are in the state’s care this year, and they deserve better.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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