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The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved Ann McIntyre as the DCFS
inspector general. She’s been the acting IG since September
2022. She will continue in her position as appointed by Gov.
J.B. Pritzker.
Since December, five children have died while on the state’s
child protection agency's radar, including an 8-year-old, a
6-year-old, and two, 1-year-olds. Critics blame the state's
child welfare agency, who reportedly had interactions with the
children and their families.
DCFS Director Marc Smith has received several contempt of court
orders after failing to place youth in proper care in a timely
manner.
McIntyre was asked during her appointment what was being done to
fix these issues.
"Throughout my time as acting Inspector General, I've been
committed to the mission of this office to reform and strengthen
the child welfare system," McIntyre said.
McIntyre said she will focus on investigating issues she finds.
"We will hold independent, comprehensive investigations and to
hold the department as well as individual employees, supervisors
and administrators accountable for instances of misconduct,"
McIntyre said.
A 248-page report released by the Illinois Inspector General
shows that in 2022, Illinois' child welfare agency saw 171 kids
die while on the department's radar or within 12 months after
the department made contact with them.
DCFS is a multi-billion dollar agency. However, McIntyre said
she needs more to fix these problems.
"We need more resources," McIntyre said. "The state departments
need more placements for our children. Right now, we just do not
have enough."
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