DCFS Audit Shows Rise In Illinois Child Abuse Cases

By Nereida Moreno
Marc Smith DCFS
The director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Marc D. Smith testifies April 26 before the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee in Chicago. At left is Anne Gold, DCFS associate deputy for child protection. Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press
Marc Smith DCFS
The director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Marc D. Smith testifies April 26 before the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee in Chicago. At left is Anne Gold, DCFS associate deputy for child protection. Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press

DCFS Audit Shows Rise In Illinois Child Abuse Cases

By Nereida Moreno
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The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services failed to follow its own protocols to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect, according to a new report from the state’s auditor general.

The three-year performance audit released Tuesday shows number of abuse and neglect investigations increased from 67,732 to 75,037 from 2015 to 2017. It also found the department struggled with caseloads and the volume of calls coming in to its hotline for reporting abuse.

Morning Shift talks to Auditor General Frank Mautino for more on the DCFS report.

GUEST: Auditor General Frank Mautino

LEARN MORE: Summary of DCFS audit (May 2019)