SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Some Republican lawmakers in Illinois want the Department of Children and Family Services to be audited, in the wake of three child abuse-related deaths since January, including eight-year-old Navin Jones of Peoria.
State Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa wants the state Auditor General to look into DCFS, saying the deaths of Jones and two other youth since January raise plenty of questions.
“How is it that DCFS can go out to a home, where there’s been a missing child report by police sent out, knowing that the people aren’t the legal guardians of the children, or at least Navin, and the police weren’t called or the children weren’t taken away?” said Weber.
You can see what DCFS claims has and hasn’t happened in that investigation by CLICKING HERE. Weber is introducing a resolution in the House urging Auditor General action.
Part of Weber’s concern is that the budget for DCFS has gone up the last several years, as Governor JB Pritzker has said he’s been working to fix the organization.
Meanwhile, another part of the concern is with DCFS Director Marc Smith, who’s reportedly been found in contempt of court a few times in various cases.
“Now that this has been out there, the issues at DCFS, although have been there for some time, I think we’re really seeing where the shortcomings are,” said State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris). “And, I think that Director Smith should have to answer for them in some type of setting before the Senate, and ultimately they will make the decision” as to whether Smith should continue to serve in the post.
Welter says that an audit could lead to action by the Illinois Senate, which deals with gubernatorial appointments.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have approved a measure allowing DCFS workers to carry pepper spray, in the wake of the death of a worker in January.
