Illinois OIG Analysis Finds Systemic Pattern Of Delays In Child Protection Investigations By DCFS

During 2022, the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) had delays in making initial contact in response to allegations of child maltreatment. After a review of performance for fiscal years 2020 through 2022,  the DCFS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) concluded there was a systematic pattern of delay in conducting child protection investigations after a Hotline call. In a sample of 24 cases in which there was a delay in making initial contact, the delay ranged from 29 days to over 100 days after a report of potential abuse or neglect. State policy requires that a good . . .