Judge Orders Illinois DCFS to Revamp How it Investigates Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect

September 24, 2001 Judge Orders Illinois DCFS to Revamp How it Investigates Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect In the spring of 2001, a federal judge ordered the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to revamp how it investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said the current system was unconstitutional and too often leads to false accusations of wrongdoing against child caretakers. She said DCFS investigations are one-sided, decided on little evidence and unfairly blacklist professionals accused of wrongdoing. The Judge gave the DCFS 60 days to come up with . . .