By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – With the memory of the Jan. 4 stabbing death of an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigator still fresh, two Springfield lawmakers are trying to make an attack on DCFS workers a more serious crime than it is now.
“It allows for a person that causes great bodily harm or a permanent disability or disfigurement to a DCFS employee to be charged with Class I felony,” said State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “Just like (laws addressing) other first responders, it’s not the extent of the harm or injury that allows the aggravated battery charge to be brought, but rather the status of the victim.”
One of the sponsors says this has been tried before.
“Now the governor’s finally on board. We’ve got a lot of Democrats and Republicans on board on this bill. I’m optimistic that for Deidre Silas and her family, we can get this bill passed,” said State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield). “She has two small children, a husband, a wonderful family,” adding Silas was “simply trying to look out for the safety of kids.”
Silas made a visit to a houseful of kids in the rural Sangamon County community of Thayer. A father there, Benjamin Reed, allegedly stabbed her to death and is now jailed.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
