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90_HB2769
New Act
Creates the Children's Bill of Rights. Requires the
Department of Children and Family Services to be the lead
agency in the endeavor to provide the children of this State
with certain basic services and entitlements and enumerates
certain protections and safeguards for children. Also
requires various other agencies and departments to cooperate
with DCFS in providing services to children.
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1 AN ACT concerning the rights of children.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5 Children's Bill of Rights.
6 Section 5. Purpose. The General Assembly has in the
7 past enacted various laws for the purpose of providing
8 welfare services to children and their families. However,
9 these laws have proven inadequate in establishing certain
10 inalienable protections and safeguards for the benefit of the
11 children of this State. Therefore it is the purpose of this
12 Act to enumerate certain protections and safeguards that the
13 children of this State are entitled to benefit from.
14 Section 10. The following departments and agencies shall
15 work in cooperation to provide children with the rights
16 listed in Section 15 and any others that may be appropriate.
17 (a) Department of Public Aid.
18 (b) Department of Children and Family Services.
19 (c) Department of Labor.
20 (d) Department of Human Services.
21 (e) Department of Public Health.
22 Section 15. The General Assembly finds that the children
23 of this State are entitled to certain rights, which shall
24 include, but not be limited to, the following:
25 (a) A guarantee of a safe and nurturing environment.
26 (b) A nutritious diet.
27 (c) Adequate shelter and clothing.
28 (d) Quality health care.
29 (e) Quality education that provides the opportunity to
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1 develop to one's fullest potential.
2 (f) The right of privacy and freedom of expression of
3 creative ability.
4 (g) Freedom from intimidation and coercion.
5 (h) Protection against slave labor and other unfair
6 labor practices.
7 (i) The right to adequate legal representation in legal
8 proceedings involving the welfare of children over age 5 and
9 in all cases where the welfare of the child must take
10 precedence over the rights of a parent or legal guardian.
11 (j) The right to adequate legal representation to
12 initiate proceedings against a parent or legal guardian for
13 alcohol or substance abuse or other abusive behavior that
14 threatens a child's welfare and safety.
15 (k) Quality day care up to age 12.
16 (l) An educational environment that is free from gang
17 coercion or intimidation.
18 Section 20. The Department of Children and Family
19 Services shall be the lead agency in the endeavor to provide
20 children with the rights listed in this Act.