Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 2907 into law creating the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act. With the passage of the Child Welfare Disclosure Act, birth parents will now be given a copy of the Act from the first interaction with DCFS. Key rights under the new law include the ability for birth parents to:
– Be consulted about relative placement options prior to placement in a foster home.
– Be considered as a placement resource prior to protective custody.
– Receive timely visitation with their children.
– Participate in the development of a hair care plan for their children.
The signing of this act follows the recently passed Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act, marking another major shift in the child welfare system and empowering Illinois DCFS to support relative caregivers more fairly and effectively. The Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act takes effect immediately.
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A new law sponsored by State Senator Paul Faraci will ensure families of students with disabilities have access to life-changing financial tools by requiring schools to share information about the Illinois’ ABLE savings program with parents of students who have 504 plans. Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest their money for expenses related to living with a disability, offering greater financial independence while preserving vital public health benefits – like SSI or Medicaid. The Illinois ABLE
program promotes independence, reduces reliance on public assistance and encourages greater economic participation by individuals with disabilities.
Under the law, the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will be required to issue Illinois ABLE materials to the parents or guardians of students with new or existing 504 Plans by the 2026-2027 school year. 504 plans are discussions and agreements about how a school can meet the needs of a disabled child in education. Students with 504 Plans often have disabilities that may not be immediately visible or widely recognized. Distributing Illinois ABLE program information ensures all eligible families, regardless of the nature of the disability, are aware of the financial resources available to them.
“We must be proactive in ensuring families who are eligible for the program have all the necessary information to take advantage of its benefits,” said Faraci. “This law is a critical step, increasing transparency and support for families across the state.” House Bill 3500 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
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When a person with developmental disabilities goes missing, time is of the essence– but existing alert systems do not always address their unique needs. A new law from State Senator Paul Faraci changes that by creating the Golden Search Awareness Program, ensuring law enforcement, families and communities have the tools to respond effectively. Illinois previously relied on broad alert systems such as the AMBER Alert and Silver Alert, which do not always account for the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The new law establishes a Golden Search Task Force,
which will work to implement a statewide awareness program in coordination with the Endangered Missing Person Advisory. This initiative will help educate communities, law enforcement and organizations that support individuals with disabilities, making certain they know how to recognize and respond when someone with developmental disabilities goes missing. “This law will provide crucial information for our first responders, enhance search efforts through more targeted strategies and increase residents’ awareness and preparedness – leading to faster and safer returns for missing individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Faraci. Senate Bill 1548 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.