Legislators Unite for New Caucus to Address Illinois Child Safety Challenges

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (May 6, 2019) — A group of Illinois lawmakers are uniting to put a renewed focus on safety challenges facing the state’s child-welfare system, through the creation of a new DCFS Child Welfare Reform Caucus and new legislation.   Illinois House members will announce their plans at noon Tuesday at a Statehouse news conference in response to a number of troubling and tragic child-welfare cases involving the state Department of Children and Family Services. That includes the recent Crystal Lake case of 5-year-old Andrew “AJ” Freund, whose parents are accused of beating him to death.   Legislators will discuss formation of a new DCFS Child Welfare Reform Caucus and new legislation that will be considered Tuesday to begin the long-overdue process of reforming the state’s child welfare system to improve the safety and protection of children in very difficult situations at home.   WHAT: News conference announcing the formation of the new legislative DCFS Child Welfare Reform Caucus and new legislation to promote child-welfare in Illinois   WHO: Lawmakers and advocates supporting the measure, led by State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Anna Moeller   WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, Noon   WHERE: Statehouse Pressroom Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol Basement, Springfield