By rssfeeds-admin 
House Bill 871 prevents the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from placing children in homes if anyone in that household has been convicted of human or sex trafficking.
Individuals with certain violent felonies were already barred from serving as caregivers. But, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), one of the bill’s sponsors, said there were inconsistencies in how trafficking convictions were treated.
The new law creates a consistent standard for all placement decisions.
Before final approval is made for a child to be placed in a foster or adoptive home, DCFS must conduct a criminal record background check, including fingerprinting. DCFS must also check its child abuse and neglect registry for information concerning the prospective foster or adoptive parents, along with any other adult living in the home.
“There should be no gray areas when it comes to finding a secure placement for a child,” Glowiak Hilton said in a news release. “This law closes any gaps in current practices to keep children out of dangerous environments.”
The bill was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday and took effect immediately. You can read more about the new law here.
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