Prairie State Wire

Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) said he had called for Marc Smith's resignation several times.

Bailey dubbed Smith an incapable leader. 

"Pritzker’s director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Marc Smith, has been held in contempt of court for the 12th time since January," Bailey said. "I’ve called for his resignation a number of times. He has proven he is incapable of leading this department and children and families are suffering as a result. Pritzker should demand his resignation, but he refuses to be held accountable for his failures. We need courageous leadership who will always do the right thing regardless of politics. It’s time to demand accountability in Springfield and put our families and future first."

Bailey's comment came after Smith has been held in contempt of court more than 10 times in just over six months within the same year. The latest case involved allegations that Smith kept a 15-year-old girl in a psychiatric hospital longer than she needs to be there, according to WJOL. The DCFS said the teen will be moved by July 25, after she was cleared to be released on Jan. 14 this year. The contempt order was issued by Judge Patrick Murphy following a motion from the Cook County Public Guardian's office. 

Pritzker has persisted in supporting Smith despite court decisions.

"You're ignoring all of the progress that's been made at DCFS, and so is the decision to hold the department in contempt," Gov. J.B. Pritzker told CBS in March when asked how many more times will he allow Smith to be held in contempt before taking action. "The head of Department of Children and Family Services, and I, and the judge are frustrated with the challenges that we face for our most vulnerable children."

Among the 12 contempt court orders include cases in which children were stuck in psychiatric facilities longer than they needed to be. DCFS was required a fee of $1,000 every day until a child is placed in the appropriate care.

Prior to the latest contempt, Murphy in May issued Smith's 11th contempt court order wherein an 11-year-old child identified as a risk to herself and others has waited for a secure residential treatment center placement for months. Early on, DCFS placed the child in a foster home which Murphy opposed. The judge warned that the girl poses danger to those around her which can lead to an unwanted event. True enough, the child repeatedly stabbed her foster parent. CBS News reported that the parent's injuries were treated with stitches.

Smith was chosen following a search process in which millionaire Pritzker proudly boasted he had invested $50,000 of his own money, the Chicago Tribune reported. Pritzker declared he was dedicated to reforming the organization at the time, in 2020. Critics claim that the agency is "worse than ever" two years later.

Smith makes over $110,000 in base salary as DCFS director, according to govsalaries.com.