Two state lawmakers said Friday that Illinois’ budget crisis and Gov. Bruce Rauner share in the blame for the death of 1-year-old Semaj Crosby.
State Reps. LaShawn Ford and Mary Flowers, both Democrats representing Chicago, said that investigating DCFS for its role is not enough and predicted that without a budget compromise, more children will fall through the cracks.
The state’s budget crisis has forced cuts at social service agencies that once were available to families in crisis. As the two lawmakers see it, Rauner needs to find a budget solution, while a spokesman for the governor said the lawmakers are politicizing a horrible tragedy.
“It’s the governor’s responsibility,” said Ford. “It’s his department and if the governor really cared as much about the children as he cares about selling the Thompson Center—DCFS would get the help that it needs.” […]
The governor’s office refuted the accusations.
“This has nothing to do with the budget, and it’s sad that anyone would try to politicize this horrible tragedy. Like everyone across the state, the governor wants answers on how such a horrific tragedy could happen,” a spokesperson for Rauner said Friday. “The Will County Sheriff, DCFS and other agencies are actively investigating and we are anxiously awaiting their findings. Something like this should never happen – and we need to find out exactly why it did. As an administration, we will remain committed to do anything and everything possible to protect the children of Illinois and improve the Department of Children and Family Services.”
It most certainly does have something to do with the lack of a state budget, but I, myself, wouldn’t directly blame the governor for the death of that little girl.
…Adding… It should be noted that DCFS basically runs without a budget because it’s under a federal consent decree. However, a budget could increase funding for various tasks. Or, the administration could go back to the judge and ask for more money.
Republican governor candidate Bruce Rauner today said he blames Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn for the deaths of child-abuse victims whose families previously had contact with the state’s child-welfare agency.
“Yes,” Rauner said when asked by reporters if the deaths of 95 children with past contact with the Department of Children and Family Services from 2011-2013 were attributable to Quinn.
“Pat Quinn is, in the end, responsible for the failings at the Department of Children and Family Services. If it was a one-year problem or a temporary problem you could say, ‘OK, maybe, there was, it’s not really his responsibility.’ But he’s been governor for six years. He’s had a revolving door of failure at Department of Children and Family Services for years and years,” Rauner said.
Rauner’s remarks came as he stepped up his attacks over Quinn’s DCFS oversight with a new TV ad today with a similar message to a radio ad that began airing a day earlier.
Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson has called the ad campaign a “false and malicious attempt to smear the governor.” She contended Rauner was cynically using for political purposes an agency that “intervenes in emergency life and death situations” involving at-risk children.
“To imply the governor is somehow responsible for the deaths of children in the horrific circumstances that this agency enters into while trying to save lives is despicable and a new low,” she said.
One thing is for sure State Reps. LaShawn Ford and Mary Flowers, both Democrats, wont blame the parents who killed the poor child that just isnt politically advantageous.
As someone who has been involved with the foster system for quite a while now, I would say that a large part of it *does* fall on the governor’s shoulders.
I’m surprised it took this long for someone to say it, though. And based on my experiences, I was even more surprised that it was CHA and not LSSI.
The thing about sharp, harsh, criticism during a campaign is that campaigns end, but the words linger forever
I have not, nor will I blame Gov. Rauner for the death of this child. No.
The issue is, as I see it, is how Rauner, now as governor, separates his campaign’s words and this tragedy with Rauner as governor.
Sometimes a campaign inserts themselves in places that there’s no true need to be so unseemly. The flip side is that unseemly response can be easily found and easily used for something as tragic as this child’s death.
It sickens me that this poor baby is being used for political purposes when her sad short life was so obviously filled with, and ended with, such all around negligence. Hers is a horrible and complex story. She never stood a chance.
At this point in time I don’t think it has been established who killed the child. I don’t blame any governor nor any over worked social worker for the death. I wish money was he cure because then you would have an answer and a solution. Remove he child don’t remove the child deal with drugs poverty and the human condition. So easy to point fingers so hard to fix problems
I unfortunately always thought this insane stalemate would end when someone who could evoke sympathy died because of a lack of a state-provided service. It seems the general public and the politicos have not been connecting this with real life situations. That baby is one, but somewhere there is an elderly person, or a veteran or a domestic assault victim suffering because of this impasse.
Rauner could blame Quinn for those deaths when Quinn was governo because he was in campaign mode. Now that he’s in governin’ mode, he can’t be blamed for deaths on his watch.
- “It most certainly does have something to do with the lack of a state budget, but I, myself, wouldn’t directly blame the governor for the death of that little girl.”
Governor Ryan was blamed with no direct involvement.
First God Rest the soul of this little girl, no one should die in filth. However I am not so sure this one will stick to Rauner. DCFS had many contacts with this household going back to September. And then there is this..” In fact, as one sheriff’s official put it, as many as 15 squatters would “come and go as they please.”
No child has ever been endangered because DCFS wasn’t properly funded, no one ever died because they didn’t have access to healthcare, and no one ever starved because they did not have access to food. Period. /s
Don’t you just hate it when politicians take a tragedy such as this sweet girl’s death as an excuse to take political shots based on the flimsiest of evidence?
I am no fan of Gov. Rauner, but this is unfair.
Another example of “Grandstanding 101″ so common in our politics.
We Need A budget. The Gov. is just like all the others. Looking out for himself and nothing for the people of Illinois. Budget Please before 5/31/2017.
== “As an administration, we will remain committed to do anything and everything possible to protect the children of Illinois and improve the Department of Children and Family Services.” ==
I’d hate to see what lack of commitment looked like.
- How Ironic - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:36 pm:
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…and all that.
- G'Kar - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
You mean politicians aren’t consistent in their beliefs? Who would have thunk it? / s
- 51st ward - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:38 pm:
One thing is for sure State Reps. LaShawn Ford and Mary Flowers, both Democrats, wont blame the parents who killed the poor child that just isnt politically advantageous.
- Stuff Happens - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
As someone who has been involved with the foster system for quite a while now, I would say that a large part of it *does* fall on the governor’s shoulders.
I’m surprised it took this long for someone to say it, though. And based on my experiences, I was even more surprised that it was CHA and not LSSI.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
He’s always shifting the blame.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:40 pm:
The thing about sharp, harsh, criticism during a campaign is that campaigns end, but the words linger forever
I have not, nor will I blame Gov. Rauner for the death of this child. No.
The issue is, as I see it, is how Rauner, now as governor, separates his campaign’s words and this tragedy with Rauner as governor.
Sometimes a campaign inserts themselves in places that there’s no true need to be so unseemly. The flip side is that unseemly response can be easily found and easily used for something as tragic as this child’s death.
- Responsa - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:45 pm:
It sickens me that this poor baby is being used for political purposes when her sad short life was so obviously filled with, and ended with, such all around negligence. Hers is a horrible and complex story. She never stood a chance.
- NoGifts - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:47 pm:
“hoist by his own petard”
- DuPage Saint - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
At this point in time I don’t think it has been established who killed the child. I don’t blame any governor nor any over worked social worker for the death. I wish money was he cure because then you would have an answer and a solution. Remove he child don’t remove the child deal with drugs poverty and the human condition. So easy to point fingers so hard to fix problems
- Boone's is back - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
I remember that ad, and it most certainly is fair game now…
- JS Mill - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:06 pm:
Mary Flowers is an absolute disgrace and not just for her comments.
She does not work her district, never ventures out to the western reaches, ever.
Based on bills she has proposed, she seems to expect the state to take care of everyone from cradle to grave.
- LevivotedforJudy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:06 pm:
I unfortunately always thought this insane stalemate would end when someone who could evoke sympathy died because of a lack of a state-provided service. It seems the general public and the politicos have not been connecting this with real life situations. That baby is one, but somewhere there is an elderly person, or a veteran or a domestic assault victim suffering because of this impasse.
- Annonin' - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:12 pm:
So when we apply the DopeyDuct standard we find DeShawn and Mary ate correct….hmmmm.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
Rauner could blame Quinn for those deaths when Quinn was governo because he was in campaign mode. Now that he’s in governin’ mode, he can’t be blamed for deaths on his watch.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
===Now that he’s in governin’ mode===
He is?
- Chicago 20-- - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:25 pm:
- “It most certainly does have something to do with the lack of a state budget, but I, myself, wouldn’t directly blame the governor for the death of that little girl.”
Governor Ryan was blamed with no direct involvement.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
===Governor Ryan was blamed with no direct involvement.===
Kind of a different circumstance. He was being paid bribes, which is illegal. Gross incompetence… totally legal….
- Texas Red - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:39 pm:
It takes parents to protect children, not a village and certainly not DCFS
- Rocky Rosi - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
Wow. How does BVR come back from this? I don’t think he can unless minority Dems stay home and don’t vote.
Just Wow. Got me thinking. Great post Rich!
- T Sowell - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
First God Rest the soul of this little girl, no one should die in filth. However I am not so sure this one will stick to Rauner. DCFS had many contacts with this household going back to September. And then there is this..” In fact, as one sheriff’s official put it, as many as 15 squatters would “come and go as they please.”
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
No child has ever been endangered because DCFS wasn’t properly funded, no one ever died because they didn’t have access to healthcare, and no one ever starved because they did not have access to food. Period. /s
- Chicago 20 - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
-”Kind of a different circumstance. He was being paid bribes, which is illegal. Gross incompetence… totally legal….”
Gross incompetence?
Adding in the Trans Healthcare lawsuit testimony of chronic understaffing, it is a pattern of reckless indifference of human life.
- That's different - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Good leaders accept more of the blame and less of the credit than they deserve.
everyday this governor keeps proving he is not a good leader.
- cgo75 - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:02 pm:
Why don’t the parents have any accountability?
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
cgo75, what are you talking about?
- Jake From Elwood - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
Don’t you just hate it when politicians take a tragedy such as this sweet girl’s death as an excuse to take political shots based on the flimsiest of evidence?
I am no fan of Gov. Rauner, but this is unfair.
Another example of “Grandstanding 101″ so common in our politics.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
===Don’t you just hate it when politicians take a tragedy===
Yep. Hated it in 2014, too.
- cgo75 - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
Parents should have the ultimate accountability for their children’s safety not a state agency.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
cgo75, who says they won’t?
- Ed Higher - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:01 pm:
Dear Gov Rauner, please don’t ever take responsibility for things going wrong on your watch. The shock would kill me.
- WWGD - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
We Need A budget. The Gov. is just like all the others. Looking out for himself and nothing for the people of Illinois. Budget Please before 5/31/2017.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:40 pm:
Wish I had someone else to vote for instead of Mary Flowers, but thanks to Democrats drawing the legislative maps, she is the only one on my ballot!
- peon - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 8:42 pm:
== “As an administration, we will remain committed to do anything and everything possible to protect the children of Illinois and improve the Department of Children and Family Services.” ==
I’d hate to see what lack of commitment looked like.