By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – With children killed, investigators killed, no place to put kids, and a director being held in contempt of court, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is a troubled state agency. And some statehouse Republicans want changes – starting with some tough questions for DCFS director Marc Smith.
State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) says child welfare should probably be a community responsibility rather than a state agency.
“Between the murders of A.J. Freund in 2019 and Demari Perry just last month, one thing has remained constant: the utter failure of DCFS to protect those that are supposed to be in their care, and the only conclusion that we can draw is that the agency is irretrieveably broken, and that no amount of money can solve its systemic failures.”
Reick adds, though, it’s not all DCFS’ fault: “These are not problems that a government agency can fix,” he said. “It’s our problem.”
State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) says getting Smith in front of lawmakers should now be the top priority.
What is wrong with having a public hearing and letting Marc Smith speak about his agency?” she asked. “Let’s have the public hearing, and let’s hear from him. I don’t think the answer is, let’s can the guy right now. I’m going to guess the governor will make him a scapegoat and blame everything on Marc.”
A judge has found Smith to be in contempt of court over the excessive confinement to a psychiatric hospital. And Smith last week defended the practice of sending DCFS investigators to homes unaccompanied, saying it’s not policy to go in pairs, and all Deidre Silas or any other caseworker has to do is ask for help, such as a police escort.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
