|
In an adverse opinion, the Illinois Auditor General highlighted
33 mistakes, including that in 96% of cases, DCFS failed to
notify a school in a timely manner when credible evidence of
abuse was found and in some cases not notifying the schools for
years.
"Because of the significance and pervasiveness of the findings
described within the report, we (the accountants) expressed an
adverse opinion on the Department’s compliance with the
specified requirements which comprise a State compliance
examination," an audit summary said. An adverse audit opinion is
required "when the practitioner, having obtained sufficient
appropriate evidence, concludes that misstatements, individually
or in the aggregate, are both material and pervasive to the
subject matter.”
In the most serious cases involving child death, injury,
malnutrition and sex abuse, DCFS is required to notify local
police authorities within 24 hours. The agency failed to do so
20% of the time, in some cases waiting up to 43 days, according
to the audit.
State Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, said the agency continues
to make mistakes while dealing with vulnerable human beings.
“You can’t continue to make these mistakes and have these kids
fall through the cracks and not expect there to be a downstream
effect,” Reick told The Center Square. “These kids are going to
end up in the same system in 10 to 15 years and we’re going to
end up with the same thing.”
Earlier this year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about the audit
process and various state agencies having auditors documenting
violations.
“I wouldn’t look at the number or the repetition of some of
those so much,” Pritzker said. “We do look to see what are the
new ones that get found that we need to address.”
The trial of two former DCFS employees charged in connection
with the death of a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy will resume
in October. They are accused of failing to follow the policies
of the agency when they returned the boy to his home where he
was later murdered by his mother.
DCFS is getting an 11% boost in its budget next year, surpassing
$2 billion in Illinois taxpayer money for the first time.
A request for comment from DCFS went unanswered.
|
|
