Lake County Gazette

State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) recently criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) following reports of issues within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and other state agencies.

A federal judge issued a contempt citation to the IDOC for failing to implement specified health care improvements, according to Audacy.com/WBBM. IDOC was expected to establish an enhanced health care plan in accordance with a consent decree issued in 2018 as a result of three separate class-action settlements. The department never implemented these changes.

Attorneys from the Uptown People's Law Center accused the IDOC of elder abuse due to its lack of action, Audacy.com/WBBM reported. They cited cases of elderly inmates who were forced to sit in their own excrement and suffer from bedsores and untreated symptoms of cancer.

"It's shameful that IDOC can't even produce a court-ordered plan to address the medical care needs of people in their care," Wilcox said in a newsletter from his office. "The report from the federal government also cited a shortage of doctors and nurses throughout the state agency. At one point, the report showed only one doctor assigned as the medical director for four facilities housing 4,711 inmates. I find the number of people who have been severely impacted by the failed leadership within the Pritzker administration appalling. The governor must be held accountable for his inaction."

The reports were also detailed in a newsletter from the office of state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Ottawa).

"Sen. Rezin finds the number of people who have been severely impacted by the failed leadership within the Pritzker administration as appalling, citing the governor must be held accountable for his inaction," the newsletter said.

A May report issued by the Illinois auditor general detailed the role of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in COVID-19-related deaths at a veteran's home, according to Illinois Newsroom. An outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home in November 2020 led to the deaths of 36 residents. The Illinois legislature in April 2021 passed a resolution demanding an audit by the office of Auditor General Frank Mautino. Although that audit placed little blame on the IDPH, the May report found more fault with the agency.

IDPH officials failed to investigate LaSalle Veterans' Home until two weeks after the outbreak was initially reported, The Pantagraph said. During an on-site investigation, officials observed a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks. They also reported that staff members were taking their own temperatures and ineffective hand sanitizer was being used. The auditor general noted that IDPH "did not identify and respond to the seriousness of the outbreak." 

Lawmakers questioned Marc Smith, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) director, about recent deaths and other issues impacting the agency, according to CBS Chicago. DCFS oversees the welfare of approximately 20,000 children and has a $1.5 billion yearly budget. Nine children who were supposedly under DCFS's care have died since December, and Smith has been issued 12 contempt of court citations since the beginning of this year. 

Audits of the agency revealed other issues, CBS Chicago reported. The cases of nearly 50% of the children who have been victims of abuse or neglect linked to substance abuse were not referred to state lawyers for review. Nearly 90% of the children in DCFS's care have not received dental exams; 18% are missing physical exams, 14% have missed vision screenings, and 56% have missed hearing screenings.

Smith asserted that Pritzker continues to express confidence in his leadership, according to CBS Chicago.