McHenry Times

Illinois Representative Steve Reick has called for "wholesale change" at the state's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), following an adverse audit opinion of the agency. Reick, who has been vocal about the need for reform at DCFS, stressed that simply changing the agency's leadership would not be enough to address the systemic issues that have failed vulnerable children. He argued that "meaningful, innovative, and structural changes" must be made to ensure the safety and well-being of at-risk children.

Reick's comments were backed by news coverage of the press conference, with News Channel 20 reporting his plan to reintroduce a bill from 2020 that would make the investigation of child abuse and neglect cases a matter of local jurisdiction. Meanwhile, WIFR quoted Reick as saying, "We're leaving abused and neglected children in our wake," and KHQA highlighted his call for "something different" to address the problems at DCFS.

In a subsequent development, DCFS Director Marc Smith announced his resignation, effective before the end of the year. While Reick acknowledged that Smith's departure may be a step in the right direction, he emphasized that it would not solve the underlying issues within the agency. He urged Governor J.B. Pritzker to look outside of Illinois for a new director, suggesting that someone from a state with a more localized approach to child welfare would be better suited to lead DCFS.

In addition to his efforts regarding DCFS, Reick has been actively involved in the Personnel & Pensions Committee's hearings on bringing Tier Pension 2 plans into conformity with federal safe harbor provisions. He has pushed for transparent and bipartisan discussions to craft legislation that is fair to both employees and taxpayers. Reick emphasized the importance of avoiding additional pension sweeteners that would further strain an already broken pension system.

As the veto session approaches, Reick and his colleagues are working towards fiscally responsible changes that honor the promises made to employees in the pension systems. With just a few weeks left before the legislature reconvenes, there is still bipartisan work to be done to ensure the proposed pension reform legislation is effective and sustainable.

In local news, Reick highlighted the annual Fall Fest at Anderson's Candy Shop in Richmond, encouraging residents to experience the delights of the event. He also pointed out the opportunity to visit apple orchards for a pick-your-own experience before the season ends. Additionally, Reick suggested a visit to Moraine Hills State Park as a way to enjoy the beauty of nature during the fall season.

To stay up to date with Reick's updates and engage with him on important issues, residents are encouraged to share his weekly newsletter with friends and family or sign up for his newsletter on his website.

With the veto session on the horizon, Illinois Representative Steve Reick has called for significant changes at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), stressing that a change in leadership alone will not fix the systemic issues that have failed vulnerable children. Reick's comments were supported by news coverage of a press conference, where he highlighted the need for "meaningful, innovative, and structural changes" at the agency. He plans to reintroduce a bill to make the investigation of child abuse and neglect cases a matter of local jurisdiction. Additionally, Reick urged Governor J.B. Pritzker to look outside of Illinois for a new DCFS director who can bring a fresh perspective to the agency. In other legislative news, Reick has been actively involved in the Personnel & Pensions Committee's hearings on pension reform, advocating for fair and fiscally responsible solutions. As the veto session approaches, there is still bipartisan work to be done to ensure the proposed legislation effectively addresses the pension system's challenges. In local news, Reick highlighted the upcoming Fall Fest at Anderson's Candy Shop and encouraged residents to visit apple orchards and Moraine Hills State Park. To stay informed and engaged, residents are encouraged to share Reick's weekly updates and sign up for his newsletter.

To learn more, click on this link: https://repstevenreick.com/2023/10/13/big-changes-on-the-way-as-veto-session-approaches/