The Auditor General's office found that DCFS did not comply with several sections of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act from July 2022 to June 2024.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans are renewing their calls for reform within the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services after another scathing audit of the agency.

The latest two-year investigation found DCFS failed to comply with multiple state laws meant to keep children safe.

The Auditor General's office found that DCFS did not comply with several sections of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act from July 2022 to June 2024.

DCFS is required to report cases of death, serious injury, torture and other types of abuse to law enforcement within 24 hours. However, auditors found the agency failed to notify local police and state's attorney offices on time for 17 of 40 reports tested. Local enforcement personnel and state's attorneys were notified four to 270 days late.

"The agency suffers from systemic problems that go far beyond funding," said Rep. Tom Weber (R-Fox Lake). "There's a broken culture that has plagued the agency for years because of mismanagement, and the Pritzker administration can't pass the buck anymore."

Auditors wrote that DCFS took between three to 848 days to inform schools about investigations of abuse and neglect when state law requires notification within 10 days. DCFS also waited 107 to 114 days to report cases of infants exposed to controlled substances.

"Our caucus has introduced reforms to strengthen oversight, improve transparency and ensure caseworkers meet the highest standards before they're entrusted with these young lives," said Rep. Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont). "These solutions have yet to be heard."

Gov. JB Pritzker said the buck stops with him, as he is in charge of every state agency. Although he also told reporters in Chicago last week that it takes time to see significant reforms within DCFS.

"For the 14 years before I became governor, I think there were 13 or 14 different directors of the department," Pritzker said. "That leads to instability, and you're never going to solve anything. I've tried to bring stability. We have a terrific director there now."

WAND News asked DCFS is the agency had a statement in response to this audit. They have not provided comment at this time. 

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