Skip to content
Rep. Haas Recognizes National Foster Care Month
To recognize May as National Foster Care Month, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) is promoting the importance of foster care and connecting Illinois families with foster care resources. Each year, thousands of Illinois foster families provide temporary safe havens for children placed in Department of Children and Families Services (DCFS) care by local courts. According to Let It Be Us, approximately 20,000 children are in foster care in Illinois and 3,300 can be legally adopted today.
“Foster care is a selfless and beautiful act families can do to help children in need in Illinois,” said Rep. Haas. “Many children need foster families in Illinois, and I highly encourage eligible families and individuals to look into foster parenting. Your act of love can make a huge difference in the life of a child and bring joy to your life, as well.”
DCFS aims to reunite children with their birth families, but when reunification is not possible as determined by the courts, many foster families choose to adopt their foster children. Foster parents in Illinois must be at least 21 years old, participate in a home inspection and social assessment, complete 27 hours of training focused on foster care and the needs of children in foster care, complete a criminal background check of all household members, be financially stable, and complete a health screening. Foster parents can be single, married, divorced, separated, or in a civil union.
Individuals and families can find more information on foster care and becoming a foster family online at https://dcfs.illinois.gov/loving-homes/fostercare.html.
National News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Classifieds
Area News
Monee Police Blotter: February 12 – 16
Spread the loveFebruary 12, at approximately 12:28 a.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Jerrold Dunn Sr., 53, of Park Forest. Dunn was issued citations for disobeying a traffic control device, driving under the influence (DUI), and possession of cannabis less than 10g. He was released with a notice to appear via his…
Joyce: Budget Proposal Sets Framework for Uplifting Illinois Families
Spread the loveState Sen. Patrick Joyce released the following statement after hearing the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget: “Today’s budget address had funding suggestions our state needs to continue to prioritize, such as education, public safety, and economic development. The governor’s proposal sets a framework for us to begin having conversations to develop a…
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Spread the loveHelping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without children who reside within the boundaries of the Peotone School District and are in need of food assistance) on Wednesdays, March 6 and 20, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian…
Rep. Haas Responds to State of the State Address
Spread the loveSPRINGFIELD – Following the State of the State Address, State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement: “This year’s budget address was disappointing as it is again far from balanced, with a deficit of $775 million for FY25. Instead of proposing cuts to address this deficit, we are seeing increased spending for programs…
Joyce Measure to Expand Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve Passes Committee
Spread the loveState Sen. Patrick Joyce introduced a measure before the Senate Judiciary Committee recently that would expand the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve in Will County. “The transfer of this portion of land would be a big win for the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By acquiring more land, there would…
DeLuca Works to Protect Family Farms; Supports Plan to Overhaul Estate Tax
Spread the loveWanting to ensure family farms can be passed from one generation to the next without unreasonable tax burdens, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, is backing an overhaul of the state’s estate tax specific to farms. “When a loved one passes, we don’t want state taxes to force families to sell land, lose equipment, and…
Emergency Blood Shortage: Give March 12
Spread the loveThe American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Help those in need as the University of St. Francis (USF) hosts its next American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, March 12, from 1 to 6 p.m., in the…
Aqua Proposing a $14.2M Rate Hike
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Water and sewer bills for Will County residents served by Aqua Illinois will be going up if the company’s proposed rate hike is approved later this year. Aqua has applied for a $19.2 million rate hike for the 14 counties it serves in Illinois, including Will. Shane Gustafson, Morreale Communications,…
Monee Village Board Not Happy About Aqua Proposed Rate Hikes
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave A rate hike proposed by Aqua Illinois isn’t sitting well with members of the Monee Village Board. During the February 12 meeting, Trustee Douglas Horne urged “everybody within the sound of my voice” to oppose the increase. “If approved, the bulk sewer rate would increase by 54 percent, going from…
Monee Police Blotter: February 6 – 11
Spread the loveOn February 6, at approximately 5:33 p.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Marcellus Bearden, 55, of Chicago. Bearden was issued citations for driving with expired license plates, driving while his license was suspended, and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was released with a notice to appear via his citations. On…
PJHS to Present ‘Annie JR.’ March 2-3
Spread the lovePeotone to learn important lessons: ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile’ and ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.’ Leaping Lizards! Peotone will “stick up its chin and grin and sing ‘Tomorrow! Tomorrow!’” when Peotone Junior High performs Annie JR., it was announced by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based…
Joyce Responds to Proposed Aqua Illinois Rate Increases
Spread the loveIn response to Aqua Illinois filing a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to increase the rate they charge for water, State Sen. Patrick Joyce issued the following statement recently: “Aqua Illinois recently filed for a water rate increase that could cause unnecessary financial hardships on families. Now is not the time to…
PHS Senior Scholarships Available; Deadlines Approaching
Spread the loveThe following scholarships recently were announced and are available for Peotone High School seniors. All application links are online on the PHS website. Go to the Student Services tab and click on “Scholarship Opportunities” to view all scholarships and qualifications. The deadline for most scholarships is March 8, unless otherwise indicated. •Alec J.…
Early Voting Begins on March 4 at New Locations
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Early voting for the 2024 Primary Election will begin on Monday, March 4, with two new locations for casting ballots. As Monee Clerk Doneshia Codjoe reported during the village board’s December 13 meeting, Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry’s office sent notification that early voting services will be moved to…
C-M 201-U Launches Strategic Planning Process
Spread the loveCrete-Monee School District 201-U is embarking on a strategic planning process to outline a path to sustainability and growth for the district in the coming years. The process will be driven by the Community Strategic Planning Workgroup, who will meet approximately four-to-five times during the next several months. Members will focus on identifying…
