DeKalb Times

At a press conference held at the State Capitol, House Republican Conference Chairman Jeff Keicher and fellow State Representatives Charlie Meier, Patrick Sheehan, and Brad Fritts addressed issues they see with the current leadership of state agencies in Illinois. They criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's administration for what they described as misplaced priorities, resulting in disorder within these agencies.

Keicher and his colleagues highlighted problems particularly within the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS). Since July 2018, DCFS has reportedly failed to produce specific reports for over 1,200 child deaths and more than 3,000 serious injuries under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Additionally, the DHS has announced that the federal Department of Justice will be conducting an audit of the State-Operated Developmental Centers, including Choate, Shapiro, and Mabley Centers, due to concerns of abuse and neglect.

“Our very job as lawmakers is to answer to our constituents, to be their voice, and to advocate for their needs in the legislature,” Keicher stated. He emphasized the lawmakers' duty to protect the state's most vulnerable citizens, a responsibility he believes is currently being neglected.

The legislators pointed out several proposals aimed at addressing these agency-related problems that have not been acted upon. According to them, the Governor and majority party Democrats continue to overlook these solutions.