The Illinois House handed a invoice Monday geared toward making it simpler for family of youngsters within the state’s care to develop into licensed as foster mother and father and obtain care.
The measure, handed with out opposition, now goes to Governor JB Pritzker, who has mentioned he’ll signal it.
“We’re going to vary some children’ lives,” mentioned Rep. Marcus Evans, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the invoice. “This laws represents greater than only a change to our office system, it represents a chance to make an actual distinction within the lives of 1000’s of youngsters and households and construct stronger, extra resilient communities throughout our state.”
Supporters of the laws say preserving kids with relations can cut back trauma, present a clearer path to doable reunification with their mother and father, assist make placements extra everlasting when wanted and cut back the variety of kids who should be hosted by the Illinois Department of Children and Children. Services for the household.
“This is what we’re on the lookout for. Getting these children right into a everlasting place, with elevated satisfaction within the placement, the checklist goes on and on,” Evans mentioned.
According to the ACLU of Illinois, which helped go the invoice within the General Assembly, roughly 60 p.c of household caregivers of youngsters in DCFS care can be eligible for monetary assist supplied by the invoice.
The invoice had a number of opponents early final 12 months, however after some clarifying amendments, the invoice handed the Senate unanimously final November.
Under the most recent Senate modification, family may file complaints that DCFS should reply to inside 30 days. Under the laws, DCFS would even be required to replace the General Assembly on progress in buying federal funding and make the grant utility course of digital by 2026.
“We’re going to should regulate what is going on on with this invoice,” mentioned Rep. Steven Reick, a Republican from Woodstock and the invoice’s sponsor. “We’ll should see what DCFS is doing, however I consider it is a step ahead … in fixing our damaged baby welfare system.”
Evans mentioned the measure is not going to lead to further prices to the state.
The laws comes as DCFS has new management. Pritzker named Heidi Mueller director of the division earlier this 12 months, and she or he has been a powerful advocate for kinship care.
“This invoice just isn’t an answer to all issues, however I feel it’s going to go a great distance in giving DCFS the instruments to unravel household issues, to extend household bonds,” Evans mentioned.
Other organizations that supported the invoice included the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the Illinois Collaboration On Youth, and the Illinois National Organization for Women.
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