SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered a review of the state’s child welfare agency.

He said on Wednesday he wants the policy research center to conduct the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services review and offer recommendations.

The moves come after several children have died who were under DCFS care.

Pritzker also nominated Mark D. Smith to be the agency’s director.

He is an executive vice president at one of the state’s largest service providers to those in crisis.