State of Illinois

05/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2026 11:16

MEDIA ADVISORY - REVISED NEW TIME

State leaders announce HR 0905, highlight new Relative Caregiver Certification program and expanded permanency pathways for youth in care at event in Springfield

WHAT:
State government leaders will join the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the ACLU of Illinois, and community partners at a press conference at the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in Springfield to announce significant accomplishments ( HR0905 ) and ongoing progress in implementing the Relative Caregiver Certification Program as a result of the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act , landmark legislation signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in February 2025.

WHO:

  • Ryan Croke, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health & Human Services
  • Heidi E. Mueller, Director, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
  • Nora Collins-Mandeville, Director, Youth and Family Policy Project, ACLU of Illinois
  • Mary Kay Collins, Director of Child and Family Well-Being, Adoption, Licensing and Recruitment, Center for Youth and Family Solutions
  • Celeste Matheson, Director of Marketing and Development, Center for Youth and Family Solutions
  • Assistant House Majority Leader State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
  • State Representative Suzanne M. Ness, Chair, House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee
  • State Representative Michelle Mussman, Vice-chair, House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee
  • State Senator Mattie Hunter (TBD)
  • Marcus Warden, licensed relative caregiver

WHEN: May 26, 2026

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. -------------------------------NEW TIME

Media may arrive at 11=0 a.m.

WHERE: Center for Youth and Family Solutions

1630 S. State Street

Springfield IL 62704

About the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS): Our vision is for every child and youth in Illinois to grow and thrive in a loving family. To achieve this goal, DCFS promotes the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families by responding to reports of suspected child abuse and neglect and providing family-centered care and connection to resources to strengthen families and keep children safely at home. Our values - family focused, integrity, respect, empathy and equity - are at the forefront of every decision we make to ensure children are safe and families have the resources they need to succeed. To make an anonymous report of suspected child abuse or neglect, visit childabuse.illinois.gov.
State of Illinois published this content on May 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 27, 2026 at 17:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]