Lawmakers consider state-worker safety after beating

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to better protect state workers in vulnerable jobs after the death of a child-welfare worker was beaten last fall.

Pamela Knight was a Department of Children and Family Services caseworker. She was attacked in September while trying to take protective custody of a child in Milledgeville. She died from her injuries in February.

Savanna Republican Rep. Tony McCombie’s (mih-KAHM’-beez) proposal would stiffen criminal penalties for attacking DCFS employees. A House committee voted against it last week but McCombie asked on Tuesday for a re-hearing.

Democratic Sen. Michael Hastings of Tinley Park is also concerned about attacks on state prison guards. He has legislation that would require DCFS, the Corrections Department and other agencies to record violent incidents to determine how widespread they are.