SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to strengthen safeguards for children in the foster care system, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced legislation that would prevent individuals with a record of trafficking from being approved as foster or adoptive guardians.

“No child should ever be placed in a home where their safety could be in question,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Clarifying the law will help ensure no one with a trafficking conviction can gain access to children under state care.”

House Bill 871 would prohibit the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from placing a child in a foster or adoptive home with an individual who has a record of human or sex trafficking.

Current law already prevents placements with individuals convicted of certain violent felonies, but the law’s application varies depending on the type of placement and who in the household has the conviction. Glowiak Hilton’s bill would close any gaps in interpretation by making it clear that human and sex trafficking convictions disqualify someone from receiving final placement approval, regardless of the placement type.

“Inconsistent rules can leave room for dangerous placements to slip through the cracks,” said Glowiak Hilton. “By removing ambiguity from the law, we’re putting children’s safety first and empowering caseworkers with the clarity they need to act appropriately.”

House Bill 871 passed the Senate on May 22.