KIND Act: Pritzker signs historic legislation prioritizing kin-first foster care placement

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a monumental bill into law Wednesday to require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to prioritize placing children with their relatives.

The vast majority of Illinois DCFS youth in care live with their relatives, but more than 60% of those caregivers are denied foster care benefits. The new law requires DCFS to establish a kinship navigator program to help relatives gain custody and benefits.

"The KIND Act allows DCFS to support relative caregivers by developing the certification standards specifically for them, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of youth in care and allowing them to receive the same payment rate as non-family caregivers," Pritzker said.

This law also requires DCFS to treat adoption and guardianship as equally viable options when reunification with parents is not possible.

"This means that we use the voices of the children and families we care for to guide us in policymaking," said DCFS Director Heidi Mueller. "It means that we build all of our practices around the experiences of the children and families that we exist to support."

The ACLU of Illinois worked with lawmakers to get the legislation passed out of both chambers. ACLU Systems Reform Director Nora Collins-Mandeville said placing youth with relatives lessens trauma, reduces the number of times a child is moves, and delivers better social, mental health and educational outcomes.

"The KIND Act will finally ensure that the state will do everything we can to keep families together by prioritizing familial connections when placing system-involved youth," said Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago). "Evidence shows that young people are more likely to thrive when these bonds are maintained, and I'm proud to have a governor and state that are committed to ensuring that all of our young people have the support and resources they need to succeed."

The law calls on DCFS to inform state lawmakers directly about the agency's efforts to procure federal funding for kinship navigators. It also includes provisions for anonymous requests for guardianship support services. DCFS will be required to make an electronic anonymous request process by 2026.

"Children in Illinois deserve the best possible outcomes when involved with DCFS," said Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). "Through the KIND Act, youth and families will be provided with greater opportunities in maintaining familial and community connections, in addition to improved access to support and services."

The Kind Act took effect immediately.