Will County Gazette

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is criticizing Gov. Pritzker for failing to take action after Marc Smith, director of Illinois' Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), was issued a contempt citation for the tenth time this year. Smith has repeatedly been held in contempt of court for failing to find appropriate placements for children in a timely manner.

"Gov. Pritzker has failed to lead during the ongoing crisis at DCFS. This lack of accountability is harming our most vulnerable children. It's long past time for the Governor to take action and work with the General Assembly to fix DCFS so we can ensure every child in Illinois is protected," Batinick posted on Facebook.

Smith is being held in contempt of court for the tenth time since January, according to CBS Chicago. The latest contempt citation concerns a girl who has been shifted from shelters to psychiatric hospitals, rather than being appropriately placed. The girl, who suffered sexual abuse at a young age, has been struggling as a result of DCFS' failure to find a placement for her, according to statements made in court.

Smith's ninth contempt citation concerned a 15-year-old boy whom the agency failed to place, instead, holding him in a psychiatric facility for months longer than was deemed medically necessary, CBS Chicago reported. Because the contempt citations are civil, rather than criminal, it is unlikely Smith will face jail time. Instead, the agency could be fined, but those fines would be paid with taxpayer dollars.

After Smith's eighth contempt citation, CBS Chicago asked Pritzker how many more times Smith will be issued contempt citations before action is taken. The governor replied, "You're ignoring all of the progress that's been made at DCFS, and so is the decision to hold the department in contempt. The head of the Department of Children and family Services, and I, and the judge are frustrated with the challenges that we face for our most vulnerable children."

Pritzker appointed Smith to the position of acting director of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in April 2019. The Illinois Senate confirmed Smith as director in June 2021.