Will County Gazette

Following a string of reports about mistreated children sleeping in the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services offices (DCFS), gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has demanded that DCFS Director Marc Smith be fired immediately and questions Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration.

"What is happening at DCFS is shameful," Bailey said. "These kids deserve better than J.B. Pritzker’s failed leadership. I am deeply troubled by the lack of urgency within this Administration to help the kids in the state’s care."

CBS Chicago recently reported that between January and May, DCFS had 177 juveniles sleep in its offices due to a lack of bed space. Bailey blames the Pritzker administation.

"His failings are hurting kids and it has to stop," Bailey said. "It is time for J.B. Pritzker to be held accountable for the house of horrors - AKA the Department of Children and Family Services – he is running. The insanity in this Department is getting out of hand. It is beyond time for DCFS Director Marc Smith to go. The fact that he is still there is all of the evidence we need that J.B. Pritzker does not deserve a second term."

CBS Chicago reported a 5-year-old girl with autism was among the 177 children in the agency's custody who was reported to have been "accommodated" at the workplace for six nights.

"This is a child who is in DCFS's care due to concerns about abuse and neglect; and what does DCFS say to the little girl? Here. Here's an office. Go sleep on the floor of this office,” Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert said, according to CBS News Chicago.

Smith has been held in contempt of court more than 10 times in just over six months within the same year, Prairie State Wire reported. in one instance, Smith was held for contempt for wrongfully incarcerating a 14-year-old boy in a mental health facility. Despite the court's rulings, Pritzker has continued to support Smith.

Auditor General Frank Mautino's Office learned that DCFS “was unable to provide 192 of the 195 (98%) required Home Safety Checklists.”  

"Additionally, according to DCFS’ website, Home Safety Checklists had still not been updated with required new language as of March 16, 2022,” the audit reads. Children must go through safety assessments before being allowed to return to the setting they were removed from.