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Davis told The Center Square he believes the numbers will show
the agency is sending investigators who are not authorized by
Illinois law.
“That is scary, regardless of cost, because we're talking about
people and we're talking about ripping apart families, which is
sometimes warranted to protect kids,” Davis said.
Davis said DCFS is more than 30 days late to respond to his FOIA
requests.
“We’re being completely ghosted by DCFS,” Davis said.
DCFS did not immediately reply to The Center Square’s request
for comment.
Davis, a foster parent, has battled with DCFS for several years
over the agency’s use of interns as investigators and other
issues.
The Yorkville Republican said DCFS magically went to zero
interns on the payroll after he began pushing the issue.
“I just wish we could be more transparent and more accessible
because the actions that the department is taking leads to the
other outcome of just deception and non-compliance with state
statute,” Davis said.
Davis said his bills aimed at improving DCFS remain in the House
Rules Committee.
“I would respectfully ask the majority party to release them out
of Rules, because we're dealing with human life,” Davis said.
Davis said he pressed for hearings to be held this fall, but the
House Adoption & Child Welfare Committee chair, currently state
Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, has refused to call those
hearings to date.
A follow-up audit released in September by the Illinois Office
of Auditor General found that DCFS was unable to provide 82% of
the required home safety checklists within a sample of 50 cases.
In a sample of 50 cases, auditors failed to find documentation
for 16% of required physical examinations, 29% of vision
screenings, 63% of hearing screenings and 51% of dental exams
and cleanings.
Greg Bishop contributed to this story
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