Lake County Gazette

State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) has dedicated himself to protecting at-risk children in Illinois following the tragic death of 5-year-old A.J. Freund in 2019. A former DCFS worker has recently been convicted in connection with A.J.'s death, highlighting the systemic problems within the agency that need to be addressed.

Weber expressed his deep commitment to this cause, stating, "A.J.'s death forever changed my work here in Springfield. Despite several interactions between the family and DCFS, little A.J. died because the agency suffers from systemic problems that need to be addressed. And not only by throwing more money at it."

A report by the Inspector General revealed that 171 children who had prior contact with DCFS died in Illinois in 2022, representing a 40 percent increase from the previous year. This alarming statistic comes despite a funding increase to $1.5 billion for the Department of Children and Family Services in the Governor's 2022 budget.

Weber emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Children at risk of abuse are the very definition of our most vulnerable people in Illinois, yet they are being failed in the worst possible way." He added, "Protecting vulnerable children is not and should not be a partisan issue. Protecting them is our most basic responsibility. Failure is not an option."

To address these pressing issues, Weber serves in various working groups and house committees on child safety and welfare. In 2022, he was appointed as the lone Republican to serve on the Task Force on Children Advocacy Centers (CAC) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children Funding. This task force aims to ensure that each CAC and CASA facility receives sufficient funding to respond effectively to cases of child abuse and neglect.

Weber's dedication to protecting at-risk children is further demonstrated by his appointment as the Chair of the Sustaining and Protecting At-Risk Kids working group for the House Republican Caucus in the 103rd General Assembly. Through this working group, Weber hopes to collaborate with legislators from both sides of the aisle to develop reform proposals that can garner bipartisan support.

"Children are being failed by the systemic problems at DCFS," Weber emphasized. "I've spoken with many legislators on both sides of the aisle who agree. I hope this working group may be a pathway for our caucus to fine-tune and bring forward reform proposals that can win bipartisan support from our colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle."

Weber's unwavering dedication and determination to protect at-risk children in Illinois serve as a driving force for change within the DCFS. With his leadership and the collaboration of legislators from both parties, there is hope for meaningful reform that will ensure the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.

To learn more, click on this link: https://repweber.com/2023/11/27/fighting-to-protect-at-risk-kids/