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Benjamin Reed is accused in the 2022 stabbing death of Diedre
Silas when she was checking on the welfare of a child in Thayer.
During the podcast “Capital Crimes,” State Rep. Patrick
Windhorst, R-Metropolis, said in many cases, law enforcement
will accompany a DCFS worker, but it is not always the case.
“There are other times when DCFS workers visiting a home without
law enforcement involvement and they are often in a situation
where they are at risk of physical harm,” said Windhorst.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, filed two bills
that would increase protections for DCFS workers by making the
crime a Class 2 felony, but has had little success convincing
the Democratic majority in the Illinois House.
“I’ve been trying to pass a bill for a murdered, slaughtered
DCFS worker since 2017, and we’re told day after day and year
after year under this dome that we cannot allow for penalty
enhancements,” said McCombie on the House floor. “This is such
B.S.”
The bills are named the Knight-Silas Acts for two female DCFS
workers: Pamela Knight, who was killed in 2017 in Dixon when
attempting to take a child into protective custody and Silas.
McCombie said these bills have been a priority for her and has
been vocal about the necessary changes needed at the troubled
state agency under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s lead, where countless
children have died in the state's care.
“There is no shortage of issues we must address at DCFS, but
ensuring the safety of the employees who work day and night to
protect our most vulnerable is the top priority – and my
legislation will help make that a reality,” said McCombie. “Pam
Knight and Deidre Silas were killed in the line of duty, and
more must be done so that tragedies like this don’t continue to
happen.”
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