Villa Measure to Expand Safeguards for Foster Children Passes Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation co-sponsored by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, which would help to better protect Illinois children under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) recently passed out of the Illinois House with bipartisan support.

“Many children that are in the foster system have experienced trauma and loss,” said Villa. “It is the duty of DCFS to ensure that these children are placed into positive home environments that will enrich their lives and help put them on the path to healing.”

Villa is co-sponsoring House Bill 2571, which makes several changes to the Juvenile Court Act of 1967, including decreasing the number of unrelated foster children allowed per residence.  Villa’s legislation will also ensure that keeping sibling groups together is a priority when foster home placement is considered.

“As a social worker, I understand the long term detrimental impacts that trauma can have on children, so I believe it is necessary to make their transitions to foster homes as smooth as possible,” continued Villa.  “I am proud to have passed this measure with such strong bipartisan support, and I encourage lawmakers in the state Senate to approve this legislation and send it to Governor Pritzker to be signed into law.”

For more information, contact Villa’s constituent services office at 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.