Pritzker to Reappoint Embattled DCFS Director
Gov. JB Pritzker and DCFS Director Marc Smith at a 2019 news conference.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
After more than a dozen rulings holding him in contempt of court and a new lawsuit alleging the detainment of children in care of the agency in juvenile detention centers, Governor JB Pritzker confirmed Tuesday he intends to nominate embattled Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Director Marc Smith for another term.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference in Decatur, Pritzker was asked why he hadn’t announced his plans for the agency for his second term. The Governor’s office has already announced numerous second term appointments and re-appointments to agencies.
“We haven’t made all of the announcements, as you know, we have 25 or 26 agencies that we need to announce the appointments or reappointments for,” Pritzker said. “He’ll be in a subsequent batch of those announcements.”
A reporter followed up “so you intend to reappoint him?”
“Yes,” Pritzker responded.
Smith has been at the center of multiple controversies heading the agency.
Last week, DCFS was sued for illegally confining children in the care of the agency in juvenile detention centers. Via the Trib:
The lawsuit accuses Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith, who was hand-picked by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and his predecessors of failing to ensure that wards of the state are placed in adequate residential facilities, leaving them instead in juvenile detention centers.
The problem has been ongoing for more than 30 years, according to the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of several minors the lawsuit says were unjustly treated by the agency.
“The damage caused by unjustly incarcerating these children is tremendous and undeniable. These children are isolated from loved ones and support systems,” the 34-page lawsuit states. “They are deprived of the everyday joys, experiences, and opportunities of childhood. Indeed, children incarcerated in juvenile jail are confined to their cells for the majority of the day, have limited opportunities to exercise, and are exposed to unnecessary violence and dangers.”
Smith has also been held in contempt of court more than a dozen times for violating court orders on where to place a child in the custody of the agency. Most of those rulings were thrown out by a judge late last year.
Smith served more than two years as acting director before being approved by the Senate in 2021.
A study showed 123 children who had contact with the agency died in 2019 alone.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference in Decatur, Pritzker was asked why he hadn’t announced his plans for the agency for his second term. The Governor’s office has already announced numerous second term appointments and re-appointments to agencies.
“We haven’t made all of the announcements, as you know, we have 25 or 26 agencies that we need to announce the appointments or reappointments for,” Pritzker said. “He’ll be in a subsequent batch of those announcements.”
A reporter followed up “so you intend to reappoint him?”
“Yes,” Pritzker responded.
Smith has been at the center of multiple controversies heading the agency.
Last week, DCFS was sued for illegally confining children in the care of the agency in juvenile detention centers. Via the Trib:
The lawsuit accuses Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith, who was hand-picked by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and his predecessors of failing to ensure that wards of the state are placed in adequate residential facilities, leaving them instead in juvenile detention centers.
The problem has been ongoing for more than 30 years, according to the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of several minors the lawsuit says were unjustly treated by the agency.
“The damage caused by unjustly incarcerating these children is tremendous and undeniable. These children are isolated from loved ones and support systems,” the 34-page lawsuit states. “They are deprived of the everyday joys, experiences, and opportunities of childhood. Indeed, children incarcerated in juvenile jail are confined to their cells for the majority of the day, have limited opportunities to exercise, and are exposed to unnecessary violence and dangers.”
Smith has also been held in contempt of court more than a dozen times for violating court orders on where to place a child in the custody of the agency. Most of those rulings were thrown out by a judge late last year.
Smith served more than two years as acting director before being approved by the Senate in 2021.
A study showed 123 children who had contact with the agency died in 2019 alone.
