Tilly was a beloved child whose life should have been defined by protection, care, and safety. In her honor, we are calling for meaningful policy reform to strengthen child placement transparency and ensure that child safety is always the highest priority in placement decisions.

“Tilly’s Law” would advocate for the following reforms:

• A formal independent review of placement decision protocols

• Mandatory written risk assessment documentation before approval

• Independent oversight in cases involving documented prior abuse concerns

• Clear family notification standards when safety risks are identified

Child protective agencies are entrusted with the highest responsibility: safeguarding vulnerable children. When systems fail to fully evaluate documented risks, the consequences are irreversible.

Tilly’s Law is not about emotion.

It is about accountability.

It is about reform.

It is about preventing preventable harm.

We are calling on policymakers and oversight bodies to review and strengthen DCFS placement procedures to ensure that no child is placed in an environment where documented safety concerns have not been thoroughly examined and transparently addressed.

Children deserve better than procedural gaps.

Let Tilly’s name stand for reform, transparency, and protection.

We owe it to every child to prioritize safety above all else.

Let Tilly’s name stand for protection, accountability, and reform.