Lemont, IL…At a press conference held today, State Representative Nicole La Ha, joined Reps. Tom Weber and Steve Reick to call for urgent reforms to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Findings from the Illinois Auditor General’s July 2025 compliance report revealed 34 violations at DCFS, 29 of which were repeat failures. Also, the death of 18-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee in a foster home in Fairview Heights has raised serious concerns about accountability within the Department of Children and Family Services.
Rep. Nicole La Ha, a member of the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, emphasized the need for bipartisan urgency. “This isn’t a partisan issue,” Rep. La Ha said. “DCFS placed Mackenzi in a home where she was abused for years. When concerns were raised, as they should have been, the Governor dismissed them as political talking points. That’s unacceptable and extremely concerning.”
HB1797, introduced by Rep. Weber and co-sponsored by Rep. La Ha, updates the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to require that any report received by DCFS alleging child abuse or neglect, regardless of who the alleged perpetrator is, be immediately shared with the appropriate local law enforcement agency. Currently, only specific categories of alleged abusers prompt automatic notification to law enforcement.
All three lawmakers urged Governor JB Pritzker and DCFS Director Heidi Mueller to implement the recommendations outlined in the Auditor General’s report and to support legislation that prioritizes transparency, caseworker accountability, and child safety.