Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Representative, Tom Weber (R), shared a video on Facebook Thursday detailing his criticisms of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

"Tuesday, I spoke on the House floor to urge colleagues to help me in restoring legislative oversight and bringing change to the Department of Family and Children Services," Weber wrote in a post accompanying the video. "Last week's auditor general report showed a 40% increase in the number of deaths of children known to DCFS. This increase, while not all related to foul play, is inexcusable, especially given the increased funding directed to the agency over the last several years."

In the video, Weber claims the department failed to protect some of the most vulnerable children after receiving $1.5 billion in taxpayer funding.

"Their job is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected,” Weber said. “I urge each of you to read the recent Inspector General's report on DCFS from last week. I could only describe it as disturbing. This annual report shows a 40% increase in deaths of children who were on DCFS's radar. One child is too many. Two children are too many. But the report shows that 171 children that were on DCFS's radar lost their lives.”

Weber called on his fellow representatives to join him in his effort to protect children.

“It is time for a change, it is time for meaningful legislation and action, it's time for oversight, and it's time for us to work together and address this ongoing issue as we look towards our next year and next session,” he said. “I urge all of you to please work together with myself and others to hopefully make a difference in a child's life. Thank you."

Weber shared additional insight into the reforms that are needed in the DCFS and placed at least part of the blame for the increase in children’s deaths on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in another Facebook post.

"Today, I spoke with Channel 20, because while I personally have been working with advocates and legislators on this issue for years, we need to pressure more Democrats to get on board," Weber wrote. "I understand this is a tough sell because while it is clear to me that it’s past time that DCFS sees a change in leadership, the director was chosen by Pritzker, and to admit that means to admit he chose wrong. This isn't about politics though. There is a heartbreaking, human cost when this agency is so poorly managed, and the legislature doesn’t do anything."

Weber shared a link to an article Friday from the Center Square which reported 49 more children under DCFS supervision died in 2022 than in 2021.

"The 248-page report released by the Illinois Inspector General shows that in 2022, 49 more children died while in the custody of DCFS than in 2021," according to the article. "That's a total of 171 children who died while on the department's radar or within 12 months after the department made contact with them. DCFS in Illinois receives $1.5 billion in taxpayer money annually."