The leader of state House Republicans says Department of Children and Family Services employees have to be held more accountable for the wards of the state they oversee.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said a pending leadership change at DCFS needs to ensure that changes occur.

“It is time to kick some butt and take some names, and force people to work harder,” said the Western Springs lawmaker. “We have people in a fragile mental state entrusted to the employees of DCFS, and we, as a state, have turned our back on these fragile individuals.”

Bobbie Gregg, the director of DCFS, announced Jan. 7 that she would step down when Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner takes office Jan. 19. The River Forest resident took over the post March 1 and is the seventh director of the department in three years.

Allegations of abuse, sexual assaults, youths running away and other problems at DCFS facilities have surfaced and once again cast the state agency in a poor light.

Gregg told lawmakers assembled for a Jan. 7 hearing on the state of DCFS that although she is stepping down, “my heart will remain in child welfare.”

Gregg was unavailable for interviews in the days after the hearing and questions sent to her by the Cook County Chronicle were not returned as of press time.

During a five-hour hearing Jan. 7, Gregg said she hoped lawmakers would make significant changes in how wards of the state are treated.

“I sincerely hope that the current circumstances will serve as a catalyst for meaningful and comprehensive changes,” Gregg told lawmakers.

The newest shortcomings with DCFS were revealed in a series of articles by the Chicago Tribune, a fact that irks Durkin.

“It really upsets me that the Tribune had to expose this. Why could we not find out about this on our own?

“It speaks volumes to the dysfunction in this agency. You have to have staff find out things and you have to react. This should be an agency that polices itself. Take the time to right the ship, but put us in a position where this is not going to reoccur.”

House Minority Leader Durkin said he has his own issues with DCFS, having gone to agency representatives to get help for a local family.

“I tried to advance the family’s cause and was dissatisfied with the results,” Durkin said. “So, I have a jaundice view of the agency because of what it did to a wonderful family in the western suburbs.”

Durkin opted not to expound further on the issue, wanting to maintain the family’s privacy.  He said it is clear that a different perspective is needed at the top of the agency.

“I think we need some fresh ideas and new sets of eyes,” Durkin said. “Gov.-elect Rauner has let the current director know that her services are no longer necessary.

“(DCFS positions) have been historically difficult jobs. They are extremely emotional. You are dealing with broken families and children who have lost their way. These employees can have an instrumental and monumental role in the lives of these children.”

“We have to ensure the best we can that we care for and love these children.”