Illinois Foster Children Who Were Abused and Neglected by Their Parents Deserve Better: The Fight for Dignity Through Proper Luggage
Child welfare advocates in Illinois continue pushing for improved enforcement of existing laws meant to provide foster children with proper luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings. This seemingly small dignity can make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable youth in the Illinois child welfare system.
Background on Illinois Foster Child Luggage Laws
Currently, foster children in Illinois only have the option of taking their belongings in a trash bag if they do not have their own luggage. Four years ago, the Illinois General Assembly approved a law aimed at getting luggage for foster children, intending to end some of the indignity foster children endure. The law required DCFS to ensure that children who were removed from their home have appropriate luggage. However, DCFS has fallen short in implementation, raising concerns about foster care rights and DCFS compliance issues.
House Bill 10: Strengthening Foster Child Rights
Thus, another law is being introduced: House Bill 10, which would add a luggage mandate to the Illinois Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights and require DCFS to purchase luggage the agency is otherwise unable to provide through donations from nonprofits or grants.
Additionally, the law would clarify that once a foster child receives luggage, it is theirs to keep, meaning DCFS cannot take it away from them. Lastly, the bill would also require DCFS to record and report instances in which the agency failed to provide the luggage, as well as to file an annual report providing an explanation for the times a trash bag was used to move the belongings of a foster child. These accountability measures could help address ongoing DCFS negligence concerns.
Current Status and DCFS Response
Unfortunately, House Bill 10 is not on schedule to move forward this year. According to its sponsor, Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, after she filed the legislation, DCFS informed her that the agency was largely in compliance with the original 2021 law. Croke said she and Illinois child advocacy groups want to keep a focus on the agency to ensure full compliance. With more than 18,000 youth in Illinois’ foster care system, there are countless moves throughout the state, requiring a great deal of luggage.
DCFS said it currently provides children entering their care or switching placements with a duffle bag that they can keep, abiding by key provisions of the current law. But supporters of House Bill 10 said the legislation was necessary to inform children of their rights and gain a fuller accounting of how DCFS has responded to the existing mandate.
The Impact on Foster Children
Foster children owning their luggage would be a seemingly small change but a powerful one, said Richard Blackmon, director of education and pathways at Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County. CASA supports court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children who have been neglected or abused.
“Some baggage that young people in care have is emotional, mental and psychological,” Blackmon said. “Just having the security of knowing that ‘I have a place to keep my clothes, I have a place to keep my personal hygiene items’ — which is what we use luggage for — could make that burden of the transfer of placements a lot easier and a lot less complicated.”
Taking Action
As a child welfare attorney at Justice for Kids, a Division of Kelley Kronenberg, I’ve seen how these seemingly small dignities can have profound effects on a child’s sense of worth and stability. The luggage issue is emblematic of larger systemic problems within Illinois child welfare services that require legal advocacy.
If you are a foster parent or caregiver concerned about a child’s rights being violated within the Illinois foster care system, I may be able to help. My focus as a child abuse lawyer includes ensuring that foster children receive the respect and dignity they deserve, including through proper implementation of laws like the luggage mandate.
I encourage you to contact me, Julianna Walo, to discuss how I can help protect the rights and dignity of children in your care. Every child deserves proper treatment and respect within the system designed to protect them.
Julianna B. Walo, Esq.
Attorney, Justice for Kids
Kelley Kronenberg-Chicago, IL
754-888-KIDS (5437)
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