To: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Child Protective Services (CPS), State Lawmakers, and Child Welfare Officials

From: Concerned Parents, Advocates, and Community Members

Introduction

We, the undersigned, demand immediate reform of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) due to its lack of transparency, racial disparities, and improper handling of cases—especially those involving Black fathers and families. Too often, DCFS unjustly removes children from their homes without due process, overlooks fathers in custody decisions, and operates without meaningful oversight. The system should protect children, not tear families apart due to bias, negligence, or incompetence.

Our Demands

We call for the following changes to ensure fairness, accountability, and justice within DCFS:

1. TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

 • Independent Oversight Board to investigate DCFS misconduct, wrongful removals, and unethical practices.

 • Open Access to Case Records & Due Process for parents, ensuring full visibility of evidence, reports, and decisions.

 • Public Release of Racial and Demographic Data on child removals, case outcomes, and reunifications to expose potential biases.

2. RACIAL JUSTICE & FAIR TREATMENT

 • End Racial Disparities in Family Separations by conducting an audit on racial bias and requiring anti-bias training for caseworkers.

 • Equal Rights for Fathers to ensure Black fathers are given full consideration in custody decisions.

 • Family Preservation First—prioritizing keeping children with their families by providing support instead of removals.

3. REFORM OF THE REMOVAL PROCESS

 • Proof of Immediate Danger Before Removal—DCFS must present clear, documented, and immediate evidence before separating children from their parents.

 • Ban Anonymous & Retaliatory Reports that lead to unnecessary investigations and family separations.

4. SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, NOT JUST PUNISHMENT

 • Fund Prevention Over Foster Care by increasing access to housing, mental health support, and parenting resources.

 • Legal Representation for Parents from the moment a case is opened, ensuring fair treatment.

 • Family Reunification Priority—DCFS must provide all possible support before permanently terminating parental rights.

5. CONSEQUENCES FOR DCFS MISCONDUCT

 • Accountability for False Reports & Misconduct—caseworkers who fabricate evidence, racially profile families, or act unethically must face consequences.

 • Body Cams or Audio Recordings for Caseworkers to ensure honest and fair interactions with families.

Conclusion

DCFS should be a system that protects children, strengthens families, and operates with integrity—not one that disrupts lives based on racial bias, lack of oversight, and systemic failures. We demand immediate action from lawmakers, DCFS leadership, and child welfare officials to address these injustices and implement these reforms.

Sign this petition to stand with us in demanding justice for Black families and fair treatment for all parents.