SR0913 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0913 LRB101 14434 MST 66030 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan declared May as National Foster Care Month to recognize the important contributions that foster parents make to society and to the most vulnerable among us by opening their homes to abused and abandoned children; and

WHEREAS, The number of children in foster care in Illinois has been increasing at an alarming pace; thousands of Illinois children, through no fault of their own, have been separated from their families and are living in foster care; and

WHEREAS, The number of children in the care of the State of Illinois has reached almost 20,000, which includes over 15,000 foster children, and has increased by more than 2,000 over the past year; and

WHEREAS, Children in foster care are of all ages and backgrounds; many of them are accompanied by younger brothers and sisters; they need the comfort, support, and security that only a family can provide; and

WHEREAS, Many foster children will never be re-united with their biological families; approximately half of foster children will not be returned to their birth families; and

WHEREAS, Most of the children under care of the State live in temporary situations with either relatives or foster families; some live in professionally-staffed group settings; and

WHEREAS, Children deserve the love and security of a home and a 'forever' family; adoption offers stability and better outcomes for children in foster care, allowing them to flourish in a safe, welcoming, and stable environment; and

WHEREAS, Illinois lags the nation, ranking last among the 50 states, in the permanent placement and adoption of children in its foster care system; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is committed to ensuring that children grow up in healthy, safe, and loving homes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May of 2020 as Foster Care Month in Illinois and urge the Department of Children and Family Services to facilitate and encourage the adoption of children in foster care throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Director of Children and Family Services.