The Honorable Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor
207 Statehouse
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
The League of Women Voters of Illinois urges you to sign HB 291.
This measure authorizes the Department of Children and Family Services to provide services to children age 13 and under 15 [current law covers children only up to 13] who would otherwise qualify, except for their delinquency involvement.
Currently, these 13- and 14-year old children—who may be abused, neglected or dependent—are not given the protection, services or guardianship to which other children are entitled by law. This has resulted in children--on probation, held in the Department of Juvenile Justice awaiting appropriate placement or on parole--who have no families and no access to DCFS services.
A League position says that “the state plays the leading role in meeting the needs of children and their families; this responsibility applies across systems of care regardless of age or legal responsibility.” HB 291 would help bring that about.
For these reasons, the League requests that you sign HB 291 into law.
Respectfully,
Paula Lawson Eileen Subak
President Children’s Services Issue Specialist
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