Senate Republican Lawmakers Seek Independent Audit of DCFS’ Handling of Serious Physical and Sexual Abuse Allegations at State-Funded Children’s Facility
Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Senate Republican Caucus Whip Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) filed an official resolution calling for an independent audit by the Illinois Auditor General into serious accusations of violence against children under the state’s care at Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center in Chicago, as well as what appears to be an attempt by the Pritzker Administration to falsify documents related to investigations.
A recent Injustice Watch investigative report outlined thousands of accusations of violence, including serious allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children under the care of the state-funded center.
In 2019, Pritzker hired a top executive of Aunt Martha’s, Marc Smith, to serve as the Director of DCFS, despite public questions about conflicts of interest. Smith went on to sign a no-bid contract to A-Alert, a security company that Aunt Martha’s chief operating officer had raised concerns about in August 2023 due to allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Despite these significant concerns and allegations of abuse at the facility, the Pritzker Administration continued to employ the security company that, according to the Comptroller’s Website, has received more than $7.3 million in taxpayer funds since 2022 – at least $6.5 million of which have been paid out after the first complaint was lodged a little over a year ago. The most recent payment was in August of this year.
This spring, WGN reported that Antonio Hopkins, an employee of A-Alert Security was arrested on four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and is now a fugitive after failing to appear at an August court hearing.
CBS reported that another staffer, Trulon Henry, was charged with three counts of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and predatory criminal sexual assault stemming from crimes he allegedly committed while employed at Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center this summer. He fled and was apprehended on the east coast in July and sent back to Chicago.
When the center was finally shut down by DCFS this June, a long-time DCFS staffer was accused of trying to persuade center officials to backdate critical child protection plans amid an independent investigation by the Office of the Executive Inspector General. When asked about the attempted cover-up, a DCFS spokesperson acknowledged the attempt, saying that the employee “panicked.”
Senate Resolution 1229 calls for an audit outside of the executive branch to review the abuse, background checks, staff hiring, the backdating of protective plans to determine the extent to which contracts were monitored, whether staff were properly screened and hired, and whether all allegations of abuse and mistreatment were properly investigated.
The resolution also asks for an examination of the spending of State funds at Aunt Martha’s and A-Alert Security Services Inc; and whether Illinois State officials acted outside of the law regarding the allegations of abuse and oversight.
Senate Republicans Demand Illinois-Specific Data on Immigrants Convicted or Charged with Serious Crimes
On October 1, Illinois Senate Republicans came together at a press conference to express concerns over recently released federal data that found more than half a million non-citizens with criminal convictions or pending charges are living in the United States. State Senator Terri Bryant notes that these alarming statistics showcase the potential threat posed by immigrant criminals to the safety of Illinois residents.
Of the 662,556 with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket, 435,719 are convicted criminals and 226,847 have pending charges. Included in that are more than 13,000 non-citizens convicted of homicide and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault.
Following the conference, Republican lawmakers issued a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul asking for Illinois-specific data on how many of these individuals reside within the state. Senator Bryant stressed the need for Illinois-specific data, arguing that the available national figures could mask a more pressing issue within the state. Under Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois has gone from allocating a few million dollars per year for non-citizen programs to more than a billion dollars, and the Governor recently raised taxes by nearly a billion dollars to pay for it. Meanwhile, a lack of cooperation between state law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), further complicated by the TRUST Act and other policies implemented under Governor Pritzker, has created significant challenges in ensuring public safety and transparency for Illinois residents.
Republican lawmakers remain committed to advocating for transparency regarding the presence of non-citizen criminals in Illinois. Senator Bryant says public safety must be prioritized and that Illinois residents deserve to have their questions answered.
Senate Republicans Honor Veterans
To pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, State Senator Terri Bryant is encouraging constituents to submit a photo and story of their loved one who served our nation so it can be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois Capitol from November 11 to 25 in honor of Veterans Day.
The tribute honors the brave men and women who have served their country, preserving their stories and sacrifices for future generations. Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.
Submissions should be emailed to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 8 to be included in the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois State Capitol. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154.
October Designated Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Following an official proclamation issued by the Governor, October has been designated as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. With growing threats in the digital world, this month serves as an important reminder for all Illinois residents to take steps to safeguard their personal information online.
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is offering resources to help individuals protect themselves from cyber threats. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, staying informed about best practices for online safety is critical.
A few best practices to take to protect against cyberattacks include:
- Keeping software and operating systems up to date.
- Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Watching for suspicious activity. When in doubt, don’t click or provide personal information.
- Using encrypted (secure) internet communications.
- Creating backup files.
- Protecting home Wi-Fi network.
For additional cybersecurity tips and information, visit www.ready.gov/cybersecurity.
LIHEAP Applications Now Open for Winter Energy Assistance
With winter fast approaching, qualified Illinois residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households cover the cost of their energy bills.
The application period is now open for priority groups, including senior citizens, households with disabled family members, families with children younger than age five, and individuals facing imminent disconnection. Starting November 1, all income-eligible households will be able to apply for assistance.
LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy providers, helping to alleviate the financial burden of customers’ utility bills. Households do not need to be behind on payments to qualify, and eligibility is based on income. For example, a family of four earning up to $62,400 annually may be eligible for assistance.
To learn more about the program and determine eligibility, residents can visit helpillinoisfamilies.com or contact their local community action agency.