SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Governor and lawmakers from both sides of isle are supporting a measure to increase the penalty for assaulting a DCFS worker.

The legislative push to make it a class 1 felony comes a few days after Deidra Silas was murdered while making a welfare check in Thayer. Her death follows the murder of fellow social worker Pam Knight in 2018. Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright says its important to understand that front line social workers find themselves in situations that can turn dangerous.

Currently individuals who attack a DCFS worker would be charged with aggravated battery a class 3 felony.