Villa Applauds Governor for Signing Measure to Increase Reporting for Child Abuse Cases

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Under a new law supported by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, the Department of Family and Child Services (DCFS) would be subject to more stringent reporting and accountability requirements when investigating instances of suspected child abuse.

“With my experience as a school social worker, I understand the detrimental impact that unsafe or turbulent home conditions can have on a child,” said Villa. “Children deserve to feel safe and secure in their home environments, so it is critical that DCFS does their due diligence when investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect.”

Villa supported House Bill 831, which will require DCFS to report to the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) within 10 days of completing an investigation of allegations of child abuse and neglect. The measure was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Setting stricter reporting requirements for state agencies communicating about suspected child abuse cases will help to ensure that children in unsafe home conditions do not slip through the cracks,” continued Villa.  “I applaud the governor for standing up for vulnerable children throughout our state by signing this legislation into law.”