ONE BILL RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSTER PARENTS AND THE CLOSE BOND MANY DEVELOP WITH THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. ANOTHER REDUCES BUREAUCRACY SO THAT FOSTER KIDS CAN DO NORMAL CHILDHOOD THINGS SAYS ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES DIRECTOR GEORGE SHELDON.
ONE BILL EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF “FICTIVE KIN” TO INCLUDE FOSTER PARENTS. ANOTHER REDUCES BUREAUCRACY SO FOSTER KIDS CAN MORE EASILY PARTICIPATE IN EVERYDAY THINGS LIKE YOUTH SPORTS AND SLEEPOVERS. GOVERNOR RAUNER ALSO SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REPLACING THE TERM “WARD OF THE STATE.”
OTHER BILLS STRENGTHEN THE ADOPTION PROCESS TO MAKE SURE CHILDREN GO TO SUPPORTIVE AND SAFE HOMES.