The Illinois House on Monday approved a bill aimed at making it easier for relatives of children in state care to get licensed as foster parents and receive assistance.
The measure, which passed without opposition, now goes to Gov. JB Pritzker, who has said he will sign it.
“We’re going to change some kid’s life,” said Rep. Marcus Evans, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bill. “This legislation represents more than just change from our worker system but it represents an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of thousands of children and families and build stronger, more resilient communities across our state.”
Supporters of the legislation said keeping kids with family members can reduce trauma, provide a clearer path toward possible reunification with their parents, help make placements more permanent when needed and reduce the number of children that need to be housed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
“That’s what we’re looking for. Getting these children somewhere permanent, higher placement satisfaction, the list goes on and on,” Evans said.
About 60% of family members caring for children placed through DCFS would qualify for the financial support offered under the bill, according to Illinois ACLU, which helped push the bill through the General Assembly.
The bill had a number of opponents early last year, but after a few clarifying amendments, the bill passed unanimously in the Senate last November.
Under the most recent Senate amendment, relatives would be able file complaints that DCFS must respond to within 30 days. DCFS would also be required to update the General Assembly on progress with acquiring federal funding and make the foster application process electronic by 2026, according to the legislation.
“We’re gonna have to keep our eye on what’s going on with this bill,” said Rep. Steven Reick, a Republican from Woodstock and sponsor on the bill. “We’re gonna have to look at what DCFS is doing with it, but I do believe this is a step forward…on fixing our broken child welfare system.”
Evans said the measure would not result in additional costs to the state.
The legislation comes as DCFS has new leadership. Pritzker appointed Heidi Mueller as director of the department earlier this year, and she has been a vocal supporter of kinship care.
“This bill is not a solution to every problem, but I think it’s going to go a long way to give DCFS the tools to solve family issues, to increase family connections,” Evans said.
Other organizations that supported the bill included the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Illinois Collaboration On Youth and the Illinois National Organization for Women.
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