Republicans say Pritzker failing Illinois’ children, developmentally
disabled
[April 09, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ignoring the major
problems facing children and developmentally disabled people in the
state’s care who are being abused or dying, according to House
Republicans.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, said Democrats are ignoring the
stagnant problems plaguing the state when they focus on things like
banning plastic bags, or decriminalizing prostitution, or spending more
money. He said the governor is also culpable by not focusing on the
issue as he dabbles in national politics.
“He doesn’t put attention on the most vulnerable members of our society
and that’s regardless of what’s happening in [Washington] D.C.,” Keicher
said during a news conference.
At an unrelated event in Springfield Tuesday, Pritzker said he does take
action on those issues.
“By making changes and adjusting to make sure that we’re keeping people
safe and indeed, that is working,” Pritzker said.
Republicans say since 2018, the Illinois Department of Children and
Family Services failed to produce incident reports for over 1,200 child
deaths and more than 3,000 serious injuries.
After laying out the years of continued problems plaguing agencies
overseeing the health and safety of children and developmentally
disabled in the state’s care, state Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, said
the governor needs to get to work in Illinois.
[to top of second column]
|
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
building in Springfield.
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
“Instead of campaigning in swing states, funding supreme court races
in Wisconsin or chasing after CNN and MSNBC for a crumb of national
political attention,” Fritts said.
Pritzker said that is “insane.” He said he’s working to protect
federal funding from the Trump administration.
“I don’t think in this circumstance can anybody who holds state
office can not talk about what’s going on at the federal level and
the impact that it will have on state government and our budget,”
Pritzker said.
Republicans say the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the
state’s treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.
“The Federal Department of Justice recently announced an
investigation into the treatment of patients in developmental
centers operated by IDHS,” Fritts' office told The Center Square.
“They are specifically focusing on Choate, Jack Mabley and Samuel
Shapiro developmental centers.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
