McHenry Times

The level of disruption children face when removed from a parent or guardian by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) will be minimized through recently signed legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-Woodstock).

Senate Bill 2824 seeks to lessen the upheaval children experience when they are removed from their homes by DCFS and placed in the custody of a different parent or relative. It allows children, when possible, to remain in their school rather than being uprooted and moved to a different school.

“When children enter the care of DCFS, their best interests must remain front-of-mind in every way,” said Wilcox. “Allowing them to remain in their familiar school where they know their teachers and have an established friend group is one small way to lessen the disruption in their lives. It was an honor to serve as a Chief-Co-Sponsor of this important legislation.”

The bill, signed into law as Public Act 103-0629, also includes a provision that if it is in the best interest of a child to attend a school other than their former school, no out-of-district school tuition can be charged to a relative caregiver or foster parent.

SB 2824 passed unanimously in the Senate and House and was signed into law on July 1. The provisions take effect on January 1, 2025.