HR0165LRB102 16952 SSS 22369 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, On August 9, 2019, House Bill 1551 of the 101st 
3General Assembly was signed into law as Public Act 101-237; it 
4requires  the Department of Children and Family Services to 
5protect  a child who is returned to the custody of a parent or 
6guardian by: ensuring  that the child is up to date on 
7well-child visits; completing a home safety checklist; and 
8promptly commencing aftercare services; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Public Act 101-237 also requires the Department 
10to take specified actions to protect children when a mandated 
11reporter makes a report of abuse or neglect under specified 
12circumstances and requires the Auditor General to audit the 
13Department's performance; and
 
14    WHEREAS, After being in the care of her foster mother 
15Iisha Dean, two-year-old Ta'Naja Barnes  was returned to the 
16custody  of her mother;  Ta'Naja later died as a result of  severe 
17neglect by her mother and the mother's boyfriend, who were 
18both convicted of murder; and

  
 
19    WHEREAS, Through the efforts of Iisha Dean and many 
20others, the State now has a law designed to better protect a 
21child who, after being in a loving foster home or staying with 
22a loving family member,  is returned to a parent who has had 
 
 
HR0165- 2 -LRB102 16952 SSS 22369 r

1difficulties caring for the child; therefore, be it
  
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
3HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
4House Bill 1551 of the 101st General Assembly, Public Act 
5101-237, is hereby named Ta'Naja's Law; and be it further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to Iisha Dean in recognition of her efforts to 
8protect the children of our State.