(20 ILCS 505/1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5001)

Sec. 1. The purpose of this Act is to create a Department of Children and Family Services to provide social services to children and their families, to operate children's institutions, and to provide certain other rehabilitative and residential services as enumerated in this Act.

It is the intent of this Act that the child welfare services herein provided do not release the parent or guardian from responsibility to provide for the financial support of their children.

This primary and continuing responsibility applies whether the family unit of parents and children remain intact and reside in a common household or whether the unit has been temporarily broken by reason of child abuse, neglect, dependency or other reasons necessitating state care and training.

It is the purpose of this Act to provide for determination for the appropriate level of support, from parents given their financial circumstances.

(Source: P.A. 83-1037.)

(20 ILCS 505/1.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5001.1)

Sec. 1.1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Children and Family Services Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-820.)

(20 ILCS 505/2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5002)

Sec. 2. In addition to the powers and duties otherwise provided by law, the Department shall have the powers enumerated in Sections 3 through 34.12 inclusive, except as otherwise provided in those Sections.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/2.1)

Sec. 2.1. The Department shall ensure a sufficient number of placement and other resources of sufficient quality and variety to meet the needs of children and families as specified in the individual case plan in Sec. 6a of this Act. Nothing in this Sec. shall be construed to create a private right of action or a judicially enforceable claim on the part of any individual or agency.

(Source: P.A. 88-614, eff. 9-7-94.)

(20 ILCS 505/2.2)

Sec. 2.2. Annual reports on youth in care waiting for placement. No later than December 31, 2018, and on December 31 of each year thereafter, the Department shall prepare and submit an annual report, covering the previous fiscal year, to the General Assembly regarding youth in care waiting for placements or psychiatric hospitalization. The report shall also be posted on the Department's website. The report shall include:

(1) the number of youth in care who remained in emergency placements, including but not limited to shelters and emergency foster homes, for longer than 30 days, their genders and ages, their recommended placement type, the total length of time each youth remained in emergency care, the barriers to timely placement, and whether they were placed in the recommended placement type after they were removed from the emergency placement, and if not, what type of placement they were placed in;

(2) the number of youth in care who remained in psychiatric hospitals beyond the time they were clinically ready for discharge or beyond medical necessity, whichever is sooner, their genders and ages, their recommended placement type, the total length of time each youth remained psychiatrically hospitalized beyond necessity, the barriers to timely placement, and whether they were placed in the recommended placement type after they were removed from the psychiatric hospital, and if not, what type of placement they were placed in;

(3) the number of youth in care who remained in a detention center or Department of Juvenile Justice facility solely because the Department cannot locate an appropriate placement for the youth, their genders and ages, their recommended placement type, the total length of time each youth remained in the detention center or Department of Juvenile Justice facility after they could have been released, the barriers to timely placement, and whether they were placed in the recommended placement type after being released from detention of the Juvenile Justice facility, and if not, what type of placement they were placed in;

(3.1) the number of youth in care placed in out-of-state residential treatment facilities, whether each youth was referred to any in-state programs for placement and, if so, the number of in-state referrals for each youth prior to referring the youth to out-of-state programs; whether the youth was psychiatrically hospitalized beyond medical necessity prior to being sent out of state; the state each youth is placed in; and whether the youth is placed in a secure facility out of state;

(3.2) the number of youth not in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department who are or were the subjects of child protection investigations coded as 84b (lock-out, psychiatrically hospitalized) under the Department's Neglect Allegation Classification system, including youth for whom the Department is required to make payments in accordance with Section 5-5.07 of the Illinois Public Aid Code because they were hospitalized in inpatient psychiatric hospitals or units and were beyond medical necessity during the Department's involvement with the case. At a minimum, the report shall include the following information regarding each youth: age, region, date of hospitalization, date the youth was beyond medical necessity, date and reason for the Department's involvement, length of time the youth was beyond medical necessity, whether the youth was referred for services under the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Family Support Program, whether the youth was referred for intact family services, whether and when the Department petitioned for custody of the youth, and the youth's living arrangement upon being discharged from the hospital;

(3.3) the number of youth in care who remain in emergency rooms for longer than 24 hours waiting for admission to a psychiatric hospital bed. At a minimum, the report shall include the following information regarding each youth: age, region, date of admission to the emergency room, length of time the youth was in the emergency room, date and time the youth was discharged from the emergency room, hospital or placement the youth was discharged to, and a description of any critical incidents that occurred during the hospitalization, including, but not limited to, the use of emergency psychotropic medication or the use of any type of restraint;

(3.4) the number of youth in care who remained overnight in temporary living spaces not licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 solely because the Department cannot locate an appropriate placement for the youth. Temporary living spaces not authorized under the Child Care Act of 1969 include, but are not limited to, Department or licensed child welfare agency offices or welcome centers. As used in this paragraph, "remaining overnight" means being present in the temporary living space at 1:00 a.m. At a minimum, the report shall include the following information regarding each youth: age, region, date of stay, length of time the youth was in the temporary living space, date and time the youth was moved from the temporary living space, the reason for the youth remaining overnight, and the type of placement or setting the youth was in immediately after leaving the temporary living space. The report shall reflect the number of unique youth involved, the number of episodes that occurred fitting the criteria, and the number of unique youth involved in multiple episodes;

(4) a description of how the Department collected the information reported and any difficulties the Department had in collecting the information and whether there are concerns about the validity of the information; and

(5) a description of any steps the Department is taking to reduce the length of time youth in care wait in psychiatric hospitals, emergency placements, detention centers, and Department of Juvenile Justice facilities for clinically appropriate placements.

(Source: P.A. 102-76, eff. 7-9-21; 103-829, eff. 8-9-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 5003)

Sec. 3. To establish such subdivisions of the Department as shall be desirable and assign to the various subdivisions the responsibilities and duties placed upon the Department by the Laws of the State of Illinois.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5004)

Sec. 4. To make all rules necessary for the execution of its powers. The superintendent of each institution and division of the Department shall make such special rules as may be needed, subject to the approval of the Director. The provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act are hereby expressly adopted and shall apply to all administrative rules and procedures of the Department of Children and Family Services under this Act, except that Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rule-making does not apply to the adoption of any rule required by federal law in connection with which the Department is precluded by law from exercising any discretion.

(Source: P.A. 88-45.)

(20 ILCS 505/4a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5004a)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 4a. (a) To administer child abuse prevention shelters and service programs for abused and neglected children, or provide for their administration by not-for-profit corporations, community-based organizations or units of local government.

The Department is hereby designated the single State agency for planning and coordination of child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services. On or before the first Friday in October of each year, the Department shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a State comprehensive child abuse and neglect prevention plan. The plan shall: identify priorities, goals and objectives; identify the resources necessary to implement the plan, including estimates of resources needed to investigate or otherwise process reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and to provide necessary follow-up services for child protection, family preservation and family reunification in "indicated" cases as determined under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act; make proposals for the most effective use of existing resources to implement the plan, including recommendations for the optimum use of private, local public, State and federal resources; and propose strategies for the development of additional resources to meet the goal of reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect and reducing the number of reports of suspected child abuse and neglect made to the Department.

(b) The administration of child abuse prevention, shelters and service programs under subsection (a) shall be funded in part by appropriations made from the Child Abuse Prevention Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury, and in part by appropriations from the General Revenue Fund. All interest earned on monies in the Child Abuse Prevention Fund shall remain in such fund. The Department and the State Treasurer may accept funds as provided by Sections 507 and 508 of the Illinois Income Tax Act and unsolicited private donations for deposit into the Child Abuse Prevention Fund. Annual requests for appropriations for the purpose of providing child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services under this Section shall be made in separate and distinct line-items. In setting priorities for the direction and scope of such programs, the Director shall be advised by the State-wide Citizen's Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.

(c) Where the Department contracts with outside agencies to operate the shelters or programs, such outside agencies may receive funding from the Department, except that the shelters must certify a 20% financial match for operating expenses of their programs. In selecting the outside agencies to administer child shelters and service programs, and in allocating funds for such agencies, the Department shall give priority to new and existing shelters or programs offering the broadest range of services to the community served.

(d) The Department shall have the power to make grants of monies to fund comprehensive community-based services to reduce the incidence of family dysfunction typified by child abuse and neglect; to diminish those factors found to increase family dysfunction; and to measure the effectiveness and costs of such services.

(e) For implementing such intergovernmental cooperation and involvement, units of local government and public and private agencies may apply for and receive federal or State funds from the Department under this Act or seek and receive gifts from local philanthropic or other private local sources in order to augment any State funds appropriated for the purposes of this Act.

(e-5) The Department may establish and maintain locally held funds to be individually known as the Youth in Care Support Fund. Moneys in these funds shall be used for purchases for the immediate needs of youth in care or for the immediate support needs of youth, families, and caregivers served by the Department. Moneys paid into funds shall be from appropriations made to the DCFS Children's Services Fund. Funds remaining in any Youth in Care Support Fund must be returned to the DCFS Children's Services Fund upon dissolution. Any warrant for payment to a vendor for the same product or service for a youth in care shall be payable to the Department to reimburse the immediate payment from the Youth in Care Support Fund.

(f) For the purposes of this Section:

(1) The terms "abused child" and "neglected child" have meanings ascribed to them in Section 3 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(2) "Shelter" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(Source: P.A. 103-259, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 4a. (a) To administer child abuse prevention shelters and service programs for abused and neglected children, or provide for their administration by not-for-profit corporations, community-based organizations or units of local government.

The Department is hereby designated the single State agency for planning and coordination of child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services. On or before the first Friday in October of each year, the Department shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a State comprehensive child abuse and neglect prevention plan. The plan shall: identify priorities, goals and objectives; identify the resources necessary to implement the plan, including estimates of resources needed to investigate or otherwise process reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and to provide necessary follow-up services for child protection, family preservation and family reunification in "indicated" cases as determined under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act; make proposals for the most effective use of existing resources to implement the plan, including recommendations for the optimum use of private, local public, State and federal resources; and propose strategies for the development of additional resources to meet the goal of reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect and reducing the number of reports of suspected child abuse and neglect made to the Department.

(b) The administration of child abuse prevention, shelters and service programs under subsection (a) shall be funded in part by appropriations made from the Child Abuse Prevention Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury, and in part by appropriations from the General Revenue Fund. All interest earned on monies in the Child Abuse Prevention Fund shall remain in such fund. The Department and the State Treasurer may accept funds as provided by Sections 507 and 508 of the Illinois Income Tax Act and unsolicited private donations for deposit into the Child Abuse Prevention Fund. Annual requests for appropriations for the purpose of providing child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services under this Section shall be made in separate and distinct line-items. In setting priorities for the direction and scope of such programs, the Director shall be advised by the State-wide Citizen's Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.

(c) (Blank).

(d) The Department shall have the power to make grants of monies to fund comprehensive community-based services to reduce the incidence of family dysfunction typified by child abuse and neglect; to diminish those factors found to increase family dysfunction; and to measure the effectiveness and costs of such services.

(e) For implementing such intergovernmental cooperation and involvement, units of local government and public and private agencies may apply for and receive federal or State funds from the Department under this Act or seek and receive gifts from local philanthropic or other private local sources in order to augment any State funds appropriated for the purposes of this Act.

(e-5) The Department may establish and maintain locally held funds to be individually known as the Youth in Care Support Fund. Moneys in these funds shall be used for purchases for the immediate needs of youth in care or for the immediate support needs of youth, families, and caregivers served by the Department. Moneys paid into funds shall be from appropriations made to the DCFS Children's Services Fund. Funds remaining in any Youth in Care Support Fund must be returned to the DCFS Children's Services Fund upon dissolution. Any warrant for payment to a vendor for the same product or service for a youth in care shall be payable to the Department to reimburse the immediate payment from the Youth in Care Support Fund.

(f) For the purposes of this Section:

(1) The terms "abused child" and "neglected child" have meanings ascribed to them in Section 3 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(2) "Shelter" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(Source: P.A. 103-259, eff. 1-1-24; 103-588, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 505/4b)

Sec. 4b. Youth transitional housing programs.

(a) The Department may license youth transitional housing programs. For the purposes of this Section, "youth transitional housing program" means a program that provides shelter or housing and services to eligible homeless minors. Services provided by the youth transitional housing program may include a service assessment, individualized case management, and life skills training. The Department shall adopt rules governing the licensure of those programs.

(b) A homeless minor is eligible if:

(1) the homeless minor is at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age;

(2) the homeless minor lacks a regular, fixed, and adequate place to live;

(3) the homeless minor is living apart from the minor's parent or guardian;

(4) the homeless minor desires to participate in a licensed youth transitional housing program;

(5) a licensed youth transitional housing program is able to provide housing and services;

(6) the licensed youth transitional housing program has determined the homeless minor is eligible for the youth transitional housing program; and

(7) either the homeless minor's parent has consented to the transitional housing program or the minor has consented after:

(A) a comprehensive community based youth service agency has provided crisis intervention services to the homeless minor under Section 3-5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the agency was unable to achieve either family reunification or an alternate living arrangement;

(B) the Department has not filed a petition alleging that the homeless minor is abused or neglected and the minor does not require placement in a residential facility, as defined by 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301.20;

(C) the youth transitional housing program or comprehensive community based youth services agency has made reasonable efforts and documented its attempts to notify the homeless minor's parent or guardian of the homeless minor's intent to enter the youth transitional housing program.

(d) If an eligible homeless minor voluntarily leaves or is dismissed from a youth transitional housing program prior to reaching the age of majority, the youth transitional housing program agency shall contact the comprehensive community based youth services agency that provided crisis intervention services to the eligible homeless minor under subdivision (b)(7)(A) of this Section to assist in finding an alternative placement for the minor. If the eligible homeless minor leaves the program before beginning services with the comprehensive community based youth service provider, then the youth transitional housing program shall notify the local law enforcement authorities and make reasonable efforts to notify the minor's parent or guardian that the minor has left the program.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require an eligible homeless minor to acquire the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian to consent to a youth transitional housing program. An eligible homeless minor is deemed to have the legal capacity to consent to receiving housing and services from a licensed youth transitional housing program.

(f) The purpose of this Section is to provide a means by which an eligible homeless minor may have the authority to consent, independent of the homeless minor's parents or guardian, to receive housing and services as described in subsection (a) of this Section provided by a licensed youth transitional housing program that has the ability to serve the homeless minor. This Section is not intended to interfere with the integrity of the family or the rights of parents and their children. This Section does not limit or exclude any means by which a minor may become emancipated.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/4c)

Sec. 4c. Temporary residential shelter services. Any child care facility authorized by the Department to provide temporary residential shelter services to children in the guardianship, temporary custody, or protective custody of the Department shall:

(1) provide interventions and activities that engage the children and youth in its care;

(2) maintain staffing levels that ensure a safe environment;

(3) implement protocols that require screening and assessment upon admission to evaluate behaviors that indicate the risk of elopement and physical aggression, with the findings reflected in the individual service plan and updated periodically as new behaviors manifest;

(4) establish rules and procedures that prevent the violation of curfew laws and that do not permit any child under the age of 18 to leave the facility for any period of time prior to the child's complete discharge from the temporary shelter program, unless the child is accompanied by a responsible adult or the facility or the Department authorizes the child to leave the facility for a particular purpose; and

(5) whenever a child or youth is absent from the facility without authorization, utilize the standards of best practice and adopt actionable steps to locate and return the child or youth to the facility, including, but not limited to, calling any known contacts, interviewing peer groups likely to know whereabouts, searching community places frequented by the child or youth, and checking schools and work sites; actionable steps shall be frequent and documented and available for review by the Department.

A child care facility shall have its admissions placed on hold by the Department whenever unauthorized absences from the facility are excessive; the admissions hold shall remain in effect until the facility has complied with a corrective action plan prescribed by the Department, and if the facility is non-compliant, the Department shall impose licensing sanctions up to and including the revocation of the facility's license.

The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the requirements of this Section and shall monitor a child care facility to ensure that the facility establishes and adheres to these requirements. Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted to create a "secure child care facility" as defined in the Child Care Act of 1969.

(Source: P.A. 99-339, eff. 1-1-16.)

(20 ILCS 505/4d)

Sec. 4d. Definition. As used in this Act:

"Youth in care" means persons placed in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(Source: P.A. 100-159, eff. 8-18-17.)

(20 ILCS 505/4e)

Sec. 4e. Prohibited restraints for youth in care during transport.

(a) Purpose and policy. It is the policy of this State to treat youth in the care of the Department with dignity and respect at all times, including during transport of the youth.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Chemical restraint" means the use of medication that restricts a youth's freedom during a behavioral crisis or emergency and that is not a part of the youth's standard treatment or dosage for a behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric condition.

"Manual restraint" means a behavior management technique involving the use of physical contact or force, characterized by measures such as arm or body holds.

"Mechanical restraints" means any device, material, or equipment (including, but not limited to, straight jacket, arm or leg restraints, four-point restraints, and zip ties), other than personal physical force, used to immobilize or directly restrict the limbs, head, or body of a youth.

"Residential treatment center" has the meaning ascribed to that term in paragraph (12.3) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

"Restraints" means chemical restraints, manual restraints, and mechanical restraints, but does not include child restraint systems as defined in the Child Passenger Protection Act or devices, ordinarily worn by the youth during transport, for medical immobilization, adaptive support, or medical protection such as orthopedically prescribed devices, straps, or protective helmets.

"Transport" means transportation of a youth provided or arranged by the Department. "Transport" does not include the emergency transportation of youth in care by an ambulance service provider in an emergency situation or inter-hospital non-emergency transportation.

"Youth" means a youth in care as defined in Section 4d of this Act and youth in the protective custody of the Department.

(c) Prohibition on the use of restraints during transport. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no youth shall be subjected to restraints during the provision of any transportation services provided or arranged by the Department or its contractual assigns.

(d) Violations. Any known, alleged, or suspected violation of this Section shall immediately be reported to the Department's Office of the Inspector General, the court presiding over the youth's case in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem. A known, alleged, or suspected violation of this Section constitutes a "significant event" and requires a significant event report by the Department as defined in paragraph (14.2) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(e) Individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plans.

(1) The Department must prepare a written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan for any youth when:

(A) the youth is being transported to or from a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment center;

(B) the youth's caseworker or clinical team identifies the need for a transportation plan; or

(C) a court has ordered a transportation plan.

For youth who are psychiatrically hospitalized, the Department shall begin discharge and placement planning from the moment of admission, including developing the transportation plan required by this Section and seeking court approval as necessary.

(2) The Department must obtain written approval from its Chief Deputy Director and the Chief Deputy Director of its Clinical Division and court approval of the transportation plan in accordance with Section 1-4.2 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 when:

(A) the youth is being transported to an out-of-state residential treatment center;

(B) the youth is being transported from an out-of-state residential treatment center to another residential treatment center or psychiatric hospital in any state;

(C) the youth is being transported from a psychiatric hospital to a residential treatment center in this State and the anticipated travel time is greater than 3 hours; or

(D) a court has ordered that the transportation plan be approved by the court.

(3) The written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan must be developed in consultation with: (i) the youth's caseworker; (ii) the youth's clinical treatment teams at the location the youth is leaving and the location the youth is being transported to; and (iii) the youth, to the extent possible and appropriate.

(4) The written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan must at a minimum:

(A) State the purpose of the transport, the location the youth is being transported from and to, and the anticipated length of transport and time of day the transport will occur, and, if applicable, identify the plan for restroom and meal breaks and provisions for overnight stays.

(B) Include a written assessment of the youth's clinical condition and any safety concerns that may arise during transport.

(C) Identify any measures that may be taken to address the identified safety concerns, including a description of specific, individualized steps and techniques that will be used during transport to maintain the well-being of the youth. The description shall include specific de-escalation techniques that have been effective with the youth.

(D) Include a written assessment of the youth's medical condition and any concerns that may arise during transport. If the youth needs to take regularly prescribed medication during transport, the plan must identify the person responsible for dispensing the medication.

(E) Identify the caseworker or mental health professional, known to the youth, who will accompany the youth during transport. If the plan must be approved by the court and the youth is being driven in a passenger vehicle at any point during transport, there must be at least one caseworker or mental health professional known to the youth other than the person driving the vehicle to ensure the youth's emotional and physical well-being during transport. The plan shall identify any additional individuals who will accompany the youth to ensure the youth's emotional and physical well-being during transport.

(F) Set forth the plan for handling emergencies that may arise during transport.

(G) Identify when and how the plan will be explained to the youth.

(f) Reporting.

(1) Any time a youth is transported in accordance with a court-approved transportation plan, the transport constitutes a "significant event" and requires a significant event report by the Department as defined in paragraph (14.2) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(2) Beginning December 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the Department shall post on its website data from the preceding fiscal year regarding:

(A) the number of transportation plans authorized in accordance with Section 1-4.2 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987;

(B) whether there were any significant events, excluding significant event reports required under paragraph (1), and the number and description or type of any significant events that occurred during each transport made in accordance with this Section;

(C) the number of transportation plans modified or denied in accordance with Section 1-4.2 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, including information regarding why the court modified or denied the transportation plan; and

(D) the number of violations of this Section and for each violation, a detailed description of the date and circumstances.

(Source: P.A. 102-649, eff. 8-27-21.)

(20 ILCS 505/4f)

Sec. 4f. Transportation providers; compliance requirements.

(a) A purchase of service agency under contract with the Department to provide transportation services to children and families under this Act must comply with all applicable federal and State laws and regulations and Department rules. When the purchase of service agency signs the purchase of service contract, this signature shall be the agency's certification of compliance with the applicable laws, regulations, and rules. Additionally, the signed purchase of service contract shall be the agency's certification that:

(1) the agency has trained all of its drivers who transport children on behalf of the Department on how to properly install and operate an approved child restraint system as defined in the Child Passenger Protection Act;

(2) all drivers possess a valid driver's license and have a driving record devoid of any convictions of traffic violations or evidence of committing an offense for which mandatory revocation would be required upon conviction in accordance with Section 6-205 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(3) any motor vehicle operated by a driver during the transport of any child on behalf of the Department is insured as required under the Illinois Vehicle Code and such insurance will be maintained throughout the period for which the motor vehicle is used to transport any child on behalf of the Department, and the driver will not operate the motor vehicle unless the required insurance is in effect; and

(4) all vehicles used to transport children on behalf of the Department are properly maintained, clean, and smoke free with properly functioning heating and air conditioner systems that the driver has been instructed to utilize as appropriate for the weather conditions.

A purchase of service agency must provide a designated telephone number that drivers, parents, foster parents, and legal guardians can use to communicate with the agency at any point before or during a scheduled transport or family visit to notify the agency regarding a late pickup or arrival. The agency must have staff available to accept all calls to the designated telephone number.

(b) Every driver employed by a purchase of service agency who transports children on behalf of the Department must submit, as a condition of employment, a signed written statement certifying that he or she will comply with all applicable federal and State laws and regulations and Department rules, and must attest to all of the following in his or her signed written statement:

(1) that he or she possesses the requisite knowledge to properly install and operate an approved child restraint system as defined in the Child Passenger Protection Act;

(2) that he or she possesses a valid driver's license and has a driving record devoid of any convictions of traffic violations or evidence of committing an offense for which mandatory revocation would be required upon conviction in accordance with Section 6-205 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(3) that the motor vehicle he or she operates to transport children on behalf of the Department is insured as required under the Illinois Vehicle Code and such insurance will be maintained throughout the period for which the motor vehicle is used to transport any child on behalf of the Department, and he or she will not operate the motor vehicle unless the required insurance is in effect;

(4) that the motor vehicle he or she operates to transport children on behalf of the Department is properly maintained, clean, and smoke free with properly functioning heating and air conditioner systems that he or she will utilize as appropriate for the weather conditions;

(5) that he or she can effectively communicate with the parents, foster parents, or legal guardians of the children he or she transports; and

(6) that, as a condition of employment, he or she has consented to and completed a fingerprint-based criminal history records check in accordance with subsection (c).

The Department must conduct annual checks on a purchase of service agency and the drivers under the agency's employment to ensure compliance with this Section and all applicable laws, regulations, and Department rules. The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

(c) Each applicant applying for employment under subsection (b) shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Illinois State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Illinois State Police. Such fingerprints shall be transmitted through a live scan fingerprint vendor licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter filed in the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases, including, but not limited to, civil, criminal, and latent fingerprint databases. The Illinois State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited into the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Illinois State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions and shall forward the national criminal history record information to the Department.

(Source: P.A. 102-795, eff. 1-1-23; 103-38, eff. 6-9-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/5)

Sec. 5. Direct child welfare services; Department of Children and Family Services. To provide direct child welfare services when not available through other public or private child care or program facilities.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

(1) "Children" means persons found within the State who are under the age of 18 years. The term also includes persons under age 21 who:

(A) were committed to the Department pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and who continue under the jurisdiction of the court; or

(B) were accepted for care, service and training by the Department prior to the age of 18 and whose best interest in the discretion of the Department would be served by continuing that care, service and training because of severe emotional disturbances, physical disability, social adjustment or any combination thereof, or because of the need to complete an educational or vocational training program.

(2) "Homeless youth" means persons found within the State who are under the age of 19, are not in a safe and stable living situation and cannot be reunited with their families.

(3) "Child welfare services" means public social services which are directed toward the accomplishment of the following purposes:

(A) protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of children, including homeless, dependent, or neglected children;

(B) remedying, or assisting in the solution of problems which may result in, the neglect, abuse, exploitation, or delinquency of children;

(C) preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families by identifying family problems, assisting families in resolving their problems, and preventing the breakup of the family where the prevention of child removal is desirable and possible when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health and safety;

(D) restoring to their families children who have been removed, by the provision of services to the child and the families when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health and safety;

(E) placing children in suitable permanent family arrangements, through guardianship or adoption, in cases where restoration to the birth family is not safe, possible, or appropriate;

(F) at the time of placement, conducting concurrent planning, as described in subsection (l-1) of this Section, so that permanency may occur at the earliest opportunity. Consideration should be given so that if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is the best available placement to provide permanency for the child;

(G) (blank);

(H) (blank); and

(I) placing and maintaining children in facilities that provide separate living quarters for children under the age of 18 and for children 18 years of age and older, unless a child 18 years of age is in the last year of high school education or vocational training, in an approved individual or group treatment program, in a licensed shelter facility, or secure child care facility. The Department is not required to place or maintain children:

(i) who are in a foster home, or

(ii) who are persons with a developmental disability, as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, or

(iii) who are female children who are pregnant, pregnant and parenting, or parenting, or

(iv) who are siblings, in facilities that provide separate living quarters for children 18 years of age and older and for children under 18 years of age.

(b) (Blank).

(b-5) The Department shall adopt rules to establish a process for all licensed residential providers in Illinois to submit data as required by the Department if they contract or receive reimbursement for children's mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The requested data must include, but is not limited to, capacity, staffing, and occupancy data for the purpose of establishing State need and placement availability.

All information collected, shared, or stored pursuant to this subsection shall be handled in accordance with all State and federal privacy laws and accompanying regulations and rules, including without limitation the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191) and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.

(c) The Department shall establish and maintain tax-supported child welfare services and extend and seek to improve voluntary services throughout the State, to the end that services and care shall be available on an equal basis throughout the State to children requiring such services.

(d) The Director may authorize advance disbursements for any new program initiative to any agency contracting with the Department. As a prerequisite for an advance disbursement, the contractor must post a surety bond in the amount of the advance disbursement and have a purchase of service contract approved by the Department. The Department may pay up to 2 months operational expenses in advance. The amount of the advance disbursement shall be prorated over the life of the contract or the remaining months of the fiscal year, whichever is less, and the installment amount shall then be deducted from future bills. Advance disbursement authorizations for new initiatives shall not be made to any agency after that agency has operated during 2 consecutive fiscal years. The requirements of this Section concerning advance disbursements shall not apply with respect to the following: payments to local public agencies for child day care services as authorized by Section 5a of this Act; and youth service programs receiving grant funds under Section 17a-4.

(e) (Blank).

(f) (Blank).

(g) The Department shall establish rules and regulations concerning its operation of programs designed to meet the goals of child safety and protection, family preservation, family reunification, and adoption, including, but not limited to:

(1) adoption;

(2) foster care;

(3) family counseling;

(4) protective services;

(5) (blank);

(6) homemaker service;

(7) return of runaway children;

(8) (blank);

(9) placement under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 4-25, or 5-740 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the federal Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980; and

(10) interstate services.

Rules and regulations established by the Department shall include provisions for training Department staff and the staff of Department grantees, through contracts with other agencies or resources, in screening techniques to identify substance use disorders, as defined in the Substance Use Disorder Act, approved by the Department of Human Services, as a successor to the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, for the purpose of identifying children and adults who should be referred for an assessment at an organization appropriately licensed by the Department of Human Services for substance use disorder treatment.

(h) If the Department finds that there is no appropriate program or facility within or available to the Department for a youth in care and that no licensed private facility has an adequate and appropriate program or none agrees to accept the youth in care, the Department shall create an appropriate individualized, program-oriented plan for such youth in care. The plan may be developed within the Department or through purchase of services by the Department to the extent that it is within its statutory authority to do.

(i) Service programs shall be available throughout the State and shall include but not be limited to the following services:

(1) case management;

(2) homemakers;

(3) counseling;

(4) parent education;

(5) day care; and

(6) emergency assistance and advocacy.

In addition, the following services may be made available to assess and meet the needs of children and families:

(1) comprehensive family-based services;

(2) assessments;

(3) respite care; and

(4) in-home health services.

The Department shall provide transportation for any of the services it makes available to children or families or for which it refers children or families.

(j) The Department may provide categories of financial assistance and education assistance grants, and shall establish rules and regulations concerning the assistance and grants, to persons who adopt children with physical or mental disabilities, children who are older, or other hard-to-place children who (i) immediately prior to their adoption were youth in care or (ii) were determined eligible for financial assistance with respect to a prior adoption and who become available for adoption because the prior adoption has been dissolved and the parental rights of the adoptive parents have been terminated or because the child's adoptive parents have died. The Department may continue to provide financial assistance and education assistance grants for a child who was determined eligible for financial assistance under this subsection (j) in the interim period beginning when the child's adoptive parents died and ending with the finalization of the new adoption of the child by another adoptive parent or parents. The Department may also provide categories of financial assistance and education assistance grants, and shall establish rules and regulations for the assistance and grants, to persons appointed guardian of the person under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 4-25, or 5-740 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for children who were youth in care for 12 months immediately prior to the appointment of the guardian.

The amount of assistance may vary, depending upon the needs of the child and the adoptive parents, as set forth in the annual assistance agreement. Special purpose grants are allowed where the child requires special service but such costs may not exceed the amounts which similar services would cost the Department if it were to provide or secure them as guardian of the child.

Any financial assistance provided under this subsection is inalienable by assignment, sale, execution, attachment, garnishment, or any other remedy for recovery or collection of a judgment or debt.

(j-5) The Department shall not deny or delay the placement of a child for adoption if an approved family is available either outside of the Department region handling the case, or outside of the State of Illinois.

(k) The Department shall accept for care and training any child who has been adjudicated neglected or abused, or dependent committed to it pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(l) The Department shall offer family preservation services, as defined in Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, to help families, including adoptive and extended families. Family preservation services shall be offered (i) to prevent the placement of children in substitute care when the children can be cared for at home or in the custody of the person responsible for the children's welfare, (ii) to reunite children with their families, or (iii) to maintain an adoptive placement. Family preservation services shall only be offered when doing so will not endanger the children's health or safety. With respect to children who are in substitute care pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, family preservation services shall not be offered if a goal other than those of subdivisions (A), (B), or (B-1) of subsection (2) of Section 2-28 of that Act has been set, except that reunification services may be offered as provided in paragraph (F) of subsection (2) of Section 2-28 of that Act. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to create a private right of action or claim on the part of any individual or child welfare agency, except that when a child is the subject of an action under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the child's service plan calls for services to facilitate achievement of the permanency goal, the court hearing the action under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 may order the Department to provide the services set out in the plan, if those services are not provided with reasonable promptness and if those services are available.

The Department shall notify the child and the child's family of the Department's responsibility to offer and provide family preservation services as identified in the service plan. The child and the child's family shall be eligible for services as soon as the report is determined to be "indicated". The Department may offer services to any child or family with respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse or neglect has been filed, prior to concluding its investigation under Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. However, the child's or family's willingness to accept services shall not be considered in the investigation. The Department may also provide services to any child or family who is the subject of any report of suspected child abuse or neglect or may refer such child or family to services available from other agencies in the community, even if the report is determined to be unfounded, if the conditions in the child's or family's home are reasonably likely to subject the child or family to future reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Acceptance of such services shall be voluntary. The Department may also provide services to any child or family after completion of a family assessment, as an alternative to an investigation, as provided under the "differential response program" provided for in subsection (a-5) of Section 7.4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

The Department may, at its discretion except for those children also adjudicated neglected or dependent, accept for care and training any child who has been adjudicated addicted, as a truant minor in need of supervision or as a minor requiring authoritative intervention, under the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, but no such child shall be committed to the Department by any court without the approval of the Department. On and after January 1, 2015 (the effective date of Public Act 98-803) and before January 1, 2017, a minor charged with a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of or committed to the Department by any court, except (i) a minor less than 16 years of age committed to the Department under Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, (ii) a minor for whom an independent basis of abuse, neglect, or dependency exists, which must be defined by departmental rule, or (iii) a minor for whom the court has granted a supplemental petition to reinstate wardship pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. On and after January 1, 2017, a minor charged with a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of or committed to the Department by any court, except (i) a minor less than 15 years of age committed to the Department under Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, (ii) a minor for whom an independent basis of abuse, neglect, or dependency exists, which must be defined by departmental rule, or (iii) a minor for whom the court has granted a supplemental petition to reinstate wardship pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. An independent basis exists when the allegations or adjudication of abuse, neglect, or dependency do not arise from the same facts, incident, or circumstances which give rise to a charge or adjudication of delinquency. The Department shall assign a caseworker to attend any hearing involving a youth in the care and custody of the Department who is placed on aftercare release, including hearings involving sanctions for violation of aftercare release conditions and aftercare release revocation hearings.

As soon as is possible after August 7, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-134), the Department shall develop and implement a special program of family preservation services to support intact, foster, and adoptive families who are experiencing extreme hardships due to the difficulty and stress of caring for a child who has been diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder if the Department determines that those services are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the child. The Department may offer services to any family whether or not a report has been filed under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Department may refer the child or family to services available from other agencies in the community if the conditions in the child's or family's home are reasonably likely to subject the child or family to future reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Acceptance of these services shall be voluntary. The Department shall develop and implement a public information campaign to alert health and social service providers and the general public about these special family preservation services. The nature and scope of the services offered and the number of families served under the special program implemented under this paragraph shall be determined by the level of funding that the Department annually allocates for this purpose. The term "pervasive developmental disorder" under this paragraph means a neurological condition, including, but not limited to, Asperger's Syndrome and autism, as defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association.

(l-1) The General Assembly recognizes that the best interests of the child require that the child be placed in the most permanent living arrangement as soon as is practically possible. To achieve this goal, the General Assembly directs the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct concurrent planning so that permanency may occur at the earliest opportunity. Permanent living arrangements may include prevention of placement of a child outside the home of the family when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health or safety; reunification with the family, when safe and appropriate, if temporary placement is necessary; or movement of the child toward the most permanent living arrangement and permanent legal status.

When determining reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a child, as described in this subsection, and in making such reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern.

When a child is placed in foster care, the Department shall ensure and document that reasonable efforts were made to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the child's home. The Department must make reasonable efforts to reunify the family when temporary placement of the child occurs unless otherwise required, pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. At any time after the dispositional hearing where the Department believes that further reunification services would be ineffective, it may request a finding from the court that reasonable efforts are no longer appropriate. The Department is not required to provide further reunification services after such a finding.

A decision to place a child in substitute care shall be made with considerations of the child's health, safety, and best interests. At the time of placement, consideration should also be given so that if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is the best available placement to provide permanency for the child.

The Department shall adopt rules addressing concurrent planning for reunification and permanency. The Department shall consider the following factors when determining appropriateness of concurrent planning:

(1) the likelihood of prompt reunification;

(2) the past history of the family;

(3) the barriers to reunification being addressed by the family;

(4) the level of cooperation of the family;

(5) the foster parents' willingness to work with the family to reunite;

(6) the willingness and ability of the foster family to provide an adoptive home or long-term placement;

(7) the age of the child;

(8) placement of siblings.

(m) The Department may assume temporary custody of any child if:

(1) it has received a written consent to such temporary custody signed by the parents of the child or by the parent having custody of the child if the parents are not living together or by the guardian or custodian of the child if the child is not in the custody of either parent, or

(2) the child is found in the State and neither a parent, guardian nor custodian of the child can be located.

If the child is found in the child's residence without a parent, guardian, custodian, or responsible caretaker, the Department may, instead of removing the child and assuming temporary custody, place an authorized representative of the Department in that residence until such time as a parent, guardian, or custodian enters the home and expresses a willingness and apparent ability to ensure the child's health and safety and resume permanent charge of the child, or until a relative enters the home and is willing and able to ensure the child's health and safety and assume charge of the child until a parent, guardian, or custodian enters the home and expresses such willingness and ability to ensure the child's safety and resume permanent charge. After a caretaker has remained in the home for a period not to exceed 12 hours, the Department must follow those procedures outlined in Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8, or 5-415 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

The Department shall have the authority, responsibilities and duties that a legal custodian of the child would have pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Whenever a child is taken into temporary custody pursuant to an investigation under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, or pursuant to a referral and acceptance under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 of a minor in limited custody, the Department, during the period of temporary custody and before the child is brought before a judicial officer as required by Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8, or 5-415 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, shall have the authority, responsibilities and duties that a legal custodian of the child would have under subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

The Department shall ensure that any child taken into custody is scheduled for an appointment for a medical examination.

A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child in the temporary custody of the Department who would have custody of the child if the child were not in the temporary custody of the Department may deliver to the Department a signed request that the Department surrender the temporary custody of the child. The Department may retain temporary custody of the child for 10 days after the receipt of the request, during which period the Department may cause to be filed a petition pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. If a petition is so filed, the Department shall retain temporary custody of the child until the court orders otherwise. If a petition is not filed within the 10-day period, the child shall be surrendered to the custody of the requesting parent, guardian, or custodian not later than the expiration of the 10-day period, at which time the authority and duties of the Department with respect to the temporary custody of the child shall terminate.

(m-1) The Department may place children under 18 years of age in a secure child care facility licensed by the Department that cares for children who are in need of secure living arrangements for their health, safety, and well-being after a determination is made by the facility director and the Director or the Director's designate prior to admission to the facility subject to Section 2-27.1 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. This subsection (m-1) does not apply to a child who is subject to placement in a correctional facility operated pursuant to Section 3-15-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections, unless the child is a youth in care who was placed in the care of the Department before being subject to placement in a correctional facility and a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered placement of the child in a secure care facility.

(n) The Department may place children under 18 years of age in licensed child care facilities when in the opinion of the Department, appropriate services aimed at family preservation have been unsuccessful and cannot ensure the child's health and safety or are unavailable and such placement would be for their best interest. Payment for board, clothing, care, training and supervision of any child placed in a licensed child care facility may be made by the Department, by the parents or guardians of the estates of those children, or by both the Department and the parents or guardians, except that no payments shall be made by the Department for any child placed in a licensed child care facility for board, clothing, care, training, and supervision of such a child that exceed the average per capita cost of maintaining and of caring for a child in institutions for dependent or neglected children operated by the Department. However, such restriction on payments does not apply in cases where children require specialized care and treatment for problems of severe emotional disturbance, physical disability, social adjustment, or any combination thereof and suitable facilities for the placement of such children are not available at payment rates within the limitations set forth in this Section. All reimbursements for services delivered shall be absolutely inalienable by assignment, sale, attachment, or garnishment or otherwise.

(n-1) The Department shall provide or authorize child welfare services, aimed at assisting minors to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency as independent adults, for any minor eligible for the reinstatement of wardship pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, whether or not such reinstatement is sought or allowed, provided that the minor consents to such services and has not yet attained the age of 21. The Department shall have responsibility for the development and delivery of services under this Section. An eligible youth may access services under this Section through the Department of Children and Family Services or by referral from the Department of Human Services. Youth participating in services under this Section shall cooperate with the assigned case manager in developing an agreement identifying the services to be provided and how the youth will increase skills to achieve self-sufficiency. A homeless shelter is not considered appropriate housing for any youth receiving child welfare services under this Section. The Department shall continue child welfare services under this Section to any eligible minor until the minor becomes 21 years of age, no longer consents to participate, or achieves self-sufficiency as identified in the minor's service plan. The Department of Children and Family Services shall create clear, readable notice of the rights of former foster youth to child welfare services under this Section and how such services may be obtained. The Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Human Services shall disseminate this information statewide. The Department shall adopt regulations describing services intended to assist minors in achieving sustainable self-sufficiency as independent adults.

(o) The Department shall establish an administrative review and appeal process for children and families who request or receive child welfare services from the Department. Youth in care who are placed by private child welfare agencies, and foster families with whom those youth are placed, shall be afforded the same procedural and appeal rights as children and families in the case of placement by the Department, including the right to an initial review of a private agency decision by that agency. The Department shall ensure that any private child welfare agency, which accepts youth in care for placement, affords those rights to children and foster families. The Department shall accept for administrative review and an appeal hearing a complaint made by (i) a child or foster family concerning a decision following an initial review by a private child welfare agency or (ii) a prospective adoptive parent who alleges a violation of subsection (j-5) of this Section. An appeal of a decision concerning a change in the placement of a child shall be conducted in an expedited manner. A court determination that a current foster home placement is necessary and appropriate under Section 2-28 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 does not constitute a judicial determination on the merits of an administrative appeal, filed by a former foster parent, involving a change of placement decision.

(p) (Blank).

(q) The Department may receive and use, in their entirety, for the benefit of children any gift, donation, or bequest of money or other property which is received on behalf of such children, or any financial benefits to which such children are or may become entitled while under the jurisdiction or care of the Department, except that the benefits described in Section 5.46 must be used and conserved consistent with the provisions under Section 5.46.

The Department shall set up and administer no-cost, interest-bearing accounts in appropriate financial institutions for children for whom the Department is legally responsible and who have been determined eligible for Veterans' Benefits, Social Security benefits, assistance allotments from the armed forces, court ordered payments, parental voluntary payments, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement payments, Black Lung benefits, or other miscellaneous payments. Interest earned by each account shall be credited to the account, unless disbursed in accordance with this subsection.

In disbursing funds from children's accounts, the Department shall:

(1) Establish standards in accordance with State and federal laws for disbursing money from children's accounts. In all circumstances, the Department's Guardianship Administrator or the Guardianship Administrator's designee must approve disbursements from children's accounts. The Department shall be responsible for keeping complete records of all disbursements for each account for any purpose.

(2) Calculate on a monthly basis the amounts paid from State funds for the child's board and care, medical care not covered under Medicaid, and social services; and utilize funds from the child's account, as covered by regulation, to reimburse those costs. Monthly, disbursements from all children's accounts, up to 1/12 of $13,000,000, shall be deposited by the Department into the General Revenue Fund and the balance over 1/12 of $13,000,000 into the DCFS Children's Services Fund.

(3) Maintain any balance remaining after reimbursing for the child's costs of care, as specified in item (2). The balance shall accumulate in accordance with relevant State and federal laws and shall be disbursed to the child or the child's guardian or to the issuing agency.

(r) The Department shall promulgate regulations encouraging all adoption agencies to voluntarily forward to the Department or its agent names and addresses of all persons who have applied for and have been approved for adoption of a hard-to-place child or child with a disability and the names of such children who have not been placed for adoption. A list of such names and addresses shall be maintained by the Department or its agent, and coded lists which maintain the confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and of the child shall be made available, without charge, to every adoption agency in the State to assist the agencies in placing such children for adoption. The Department may delegate to an agent its duty to maintain and make available such lists. The Department shall ensure that such agent maintains the confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and of the child.

(s) The Department of Children and Family Services may establish and implement a program to reimburse Department and private child welfare agency foster parents licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services for damages sustained by the foster parents as a result of the malicious or negligent acts of foster children, as well as providing third party coverage for such foster parents with regard to actions of foster children to other individuals. Such coverage will be secondary to the foster parent liability insurance policy, if applicable. The program shall be funded through appropriations from the General Revenue Fund, specifically designated for such purposes.

(t) The Department shall perform home studies and investigations and shall exercise supervision over visitation as ordered by a court pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or the Adoption Act only if:

(1) an order entered by an Illinois court specifically directs the Department to perform such services; and

(2) the court has ordered one or both of the parties to the proceeding to reimburse the Department for its reasonable costs for providing such services in accordance with Department rules, or has determined that neither party is financially able to pay.

The Department shall provide written notification to the court of the specific arrangements for supervised visitation and projected monthly costs within 60 days of the court order. The Department shall send to the court information related to the costs incurred except in cases where the court has determined the parties are financially unable to pay. The court may order additional periodic reports as appropriate.

(u) In addition to other information that must be provided, whenever the Department places a child with a prospective adoptive parent or parents, in a licensed foster home, group home, or child care institution, or in a relative home, the Department shall provide to the prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker:

(1) available detailed information concerning the child's educational and health history, copies of immunization records (including insurance and medical card information), a history of the child's previous placements, if any, and reasons for placement changes excluding any information that identifies or reveals the location of any previous caretaker;

(2) a copy of the child's portion of the client service plan, including any visitation arrangement, and all amendments or revisions to it as related to the child; and

(3) information containing details of the child's individualized educational plan when the child is receiving special education services.

The caretaker shall be informed of any known social or behavioral information (including, but not limited to, criminal background, fire setting, perpetuation of sexual abuse, destructive behavior, and substance abuse) necessary to care for and safeguard the children to be placed or currently in the home. The Department may prepare a written summary of the information required by this paragraph, which may be provided to the foster or prospective adoptive parent in advance of a placement. The foster or prospective adoptive parent may review the supporting documents in the child's file in the presence of casework staff. In the case of an emergency placement, casework staff shall at least provide known information verbally, if necessary, and must subsequently provide the information in writing as required by this subsection.

The information described in this subsection shall be provided in writing. In the case of emergency placements when time does not allow prior review, preparation, and collection of written information, the Department shall provide such information as it becomes available. Within 10 business days after placement, the Department shall obtain from the prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker a signed verification of receipt of the information provided. Within 10 business days after placement, the Department shall provide to the child's guardian ad litem a copy of the information provided to the prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker. The information provided to the prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker shall be reviewed and approved regarding accuracy at the supervisory level.

(u-5) Effective July 1, 1995, only foster care placements licensed as foster family homes pursuant to the Child Care Act of 1969 shall be eligible to receive foster care payments from the Department. Relative caregivers who, as of July 1, 1995, were approved pursuant to approved relative placement rules previously promulgated by the Department at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 335 and had submitted an application for licensure as a foster family home may continue to receive foster care payments only until the Department determines that they may be licensed as a foster family home or that their application for licensure is denied or until September 30, 1995, whichever occurs first.

(v) The Department shall access criminal history record information as defined in the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act and information maintained in the adjudicatory and dispositional record system as defined in Section 2605-355 of the Illinois State Police Law if the Department determines the information is necessary to perform its duties under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, the Child Care Act of 1969, and the Children and Family Services Act. The Department shall provide for interactive computerized communication and processing equipment that permits direct on-line communication with the Illinois State Police's central criminal history data repository. The Department shall comply with all certification requirements and provide certified operators who have been trained by personnel from the Illinois State Police. In addition, one Office of the Inspector General investigator shall have training in the use of the criminal history information access system and have access to the terminal. The Department of Children and Family Services and its employees shall abide by rules and regulations established by the Illinois State Police relating to the access and dissemination of this information.

(v-1) Prior to final approval for placement of a child, the Department shall conduct a criminal records background check of the prospective foster or adoptive parent, including fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases. Final approval for placement shall not be granted if the record check reveals a felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, for spousal abuse, for a crime against children, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault or battery, or if there is a felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense committed within the past 5 years.

(v-2) Prior to final approval for placement of a child, the Department shall check its child abuse and neglect registry for information concerning prospective foster and adoptive parents, and any adult living in the home. If any prospective foster or adoptive parent or other adult living in the home has resided in another state in the preceding 5 years, the Department shall request a check of that other state's child abuse and neglect registry.

(w) Within 120 days of August 20, 1995 (the effective date of Public Act 89-392), the Department shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly, a written plan for the development of in-state licensed secure child care facilities that care for children who are in need of secure living arrangements for their health, safety, and well-being. For purposes of this subsection, secure care facility shall mean a facility that is designed and operated to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility, a building or a distinct part of the building, are under the exclusive control of the staff of the facility, whether or not the child has the freedom of movement within the perimeter of the facility, building, or distinct part of the building. The plan shall include descriptions of the types of facilities that are needed in Illinois; the cost of developing these secure care facilities; the estimated number of placements; the potential cost savings resulting from the movement of children currently out-of-state who are projected to be returned to Illinois; the necessary geographic distribution of these facilities in Illinois; and a proposed timetable for development of such facilities.

(x) The Department shall conduct annual credit history checks to determine the financial history of children placed under its guardianship pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall conduct such credit checks starting when a youth in care turns 12 years old and each year thereafter for the duration of the guardianship as terminated pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall determine if financial exploitation of the child's personal information has occurred. If financial exploitation appears to have taken place or is presently ongoing, the Department shall notify the proper law enforcement agency, the proper State's Attorney, or the Attorney General.

(y) Beginning on July 22, 2010 (the effective date of Public Act 96-1189), a child with a disability who receives residential and educational services from the Department shall be eligible to receive transition services in accordance with Article 14 of the School Code from the age of 14.5 through age 21, inclusive, notwithstanding the child's residential services arrangement. For purposes of this subsection, "child with a disability" means a child with a disability as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

(z) The Department shall access criminal history record information as defined as "background information" in this subsection and criminal history record information as defined in the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act for each Department employee or Department applicant. Each Department employee or Department applicant shall submit the employee's or applicant's fingerprints to the Illinois State Police in the form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter filed in the Illinois State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases. The Illinois State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history record check, which shall be deposited into the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the record check. The Illinois State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, all Illinois conviction information to the Department of Children and Family Services.

For purposes of this subsection:

"Background information" means all of the following:

(i) Upon the request of the Department of Children and Family Services, conviction information obtained from the Illinois State Police as a result of a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Illinois criminal history records database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records database concerning a Department employee or Department applicant.

(ii) Information obtained by the Department of Children and Family Services after performing a check of the Illinois State Police's Sex Offender Database, as authorized by Section 120 of the Sex Offender Community Notification Law, concerning a Department employee or Department applicant.

(iii) Information obtained by the Department of Children and Family Services after performing a check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) operated and maintained by the Department.

"Department employee" means a full-time or temporary employee coded or certified within the State of Illinois Personnel System.

"Department applicant" means an individual who has conditional Department full-time or part-time work, a contractor, an individual used to replace or supplement staff, an academic intern, a volunteer in Department offices or on Department contracts, a work-study student, an individual or entity licensed by the Department, or an unlicensed service provider who works as a condition of a contract or an agreement and whose work may bring the unlicensed service provider into contact with Department clients or client records.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-1014, eff. 5-27-22; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-50, eff. 1-1-24; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5005a)

Sec. 5a. Reimbursable services for which the Department of Children and Family Services shall pay 100% of the reasonable cost pursuant to a written contract negotiated between the Department and the agency furnishing the services (which shall include but not be limited to the determination of reasonable cost, the services being purchased and the duration of the agreement) include, but are not limited to:

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Adjunctive Therapy;

Child Care Service, including day care;

Clinical Therapy;

Custodial Service;

Field Work Students;

Food Service;

Normal Education;

In-Service Training;

Intake or Evaluation, or both;

Medical Services;

Recreation;

Social Work or Counselling, or both;

Supportive Staff;

Volunteers.

OBJECT EXPENSES

Professional Fees and Contract Service Payments;

Supplies;

Telephone and Telegram;

Occupancy;

Local Transportation;

Equipment and Other Fixed Assets, including amortization

of same;

Miscellaneous.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Program Administration;

Supervision and Consultation;

Inspection and Monitoring for purposes of issuing

licenses;

Determination of Children who are eligible

for federal or other reimbursement;

Postage and Shipping;

Outside Printing, Artwork, etc.;

Subscriptions and Reference Publications;

Management and General Expense.

Reimbursement of administrative costs other than inspection and monitoring for purposes of issuing licenses may not exceed 20% of the costs for other services.

The Department may offer services to any child or family with respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse or neglect has been called in to the hotline after completion of a family assessment as provided under subsection (a-5) of Section 7.4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Department has determined that services are needed to address the safety of the child and other family members and the risk of subsequent maltreatment. Acceptance of such services shall be voluntary.

All Object Expenses, Service Activities and Administrative Costs are allowable.

If a survey instrument is used in the rate setting process:

(a) with respect to any day care centers, it shall be limited to those agencies which receive reimbursement from the State;

(b) the cost survey instrument shall be promulgated by rule;

(c) any requirements of the respondents shall be promulgated by rule;

(d) all screens, limits or other tests of reasonableness, allowability and reimbursability shall be promulgated by rule;

(e) adjustments may be made by the Department to rates when it determines that reported wage and salary levels are insufficient to attract capable caregivers in sufficient numbers.

The Department of Children and Family Services may pay 100% of the reasonable costs of research and valuation focused exclusively on services to youth in care. Such research projects must be approved, in advance, by the Director of the Department.

In addition to reimbursements otherwise provided for in this Section, the Department of Human Services, through June 30, 2026 and Department of Early Childhood beginning on and after July 1, 2026, shall, in accordance with annual written agreements, make advance quarterly disbursements to local public agencies for child day care services with funds appropriated from the Local Effort Day Care Fund.

Neither the Department of Children and Family Services nor the Department of Human Services through June 30, 2026 and the Department of Early Childhood beginning on and after July 1, 2026 shall pay or approve reimbursement for day care in a facility which is operating without a valid license or permit, except in the case of day care homes or day care centers which are exempt from the licensing requirements of the Child Care Act of 1969.

The rates paid to day care providers by the Department of Children and Family Services shall match the rates paid to child care providers by the Department of Human Services, including base rates and any relevant rate enhancements through June 30, 2026. On and after July 1, 2026, the Department of Early Childhood shall pay day care providers, who service the Department of Children and Family Services under the child care assistance program, including base rates and any relevant rate enhancements.

(Source: P.A. 102-926, eff. 7-1-23; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5b)

Sec. 5b. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17. Repealed by P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/5c)

Sec. 5c. Direct child welfare service employee license.

(a) By January 1, 2000, the Department, in consultation with private child welfare agencies, shall develop and implement a direct child welfare service employee license. By January 1, 2001 all child protective investigators and supervisors and child welfare specialists and supervisors employed by the Department or its contractors shall be required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skills to obtain and maintain the license. The Direct Child Welfare Service Employee License Board of the Department shall have the authority to revoke or suspend the license of anyone who after a hearing is found to be guilty of misfeasance. The Department shall promulgate such rules as necessary to implement this Section.

(b) If a direct child welfare service employee licensee is expected to transport a child or children with a motor vehicle in the course of performing the direct child welfare service employee licensee's duties, the Department must verify that the licensee meets the requirements set forth in Section 5.1 of the Child Care Act of 1969. The Department must make that verification as to each such licensee every 2 years. Upon the Department's request, the Secretary of State shall provide the Department with the information necessary to enable the Department to make the verifications required under this subsection. If the Department discovers that a direct child welfare service employee licensee has engaged in transporting a child or children with a motor vehicle without having a valid driver's license, the Department shall immediately revoke the individual's direct child welfare service employee license.

(c) On or before January 1, 2000, and every year thereafter, the Department shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly on the implementation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/5d)

Sec. 5d. The Direct Child Welfare Service Employee License Board.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

(1) "Board" means the Direct Child Welfare Service Employee License Board.

(2) "Director" means the Director of Children and Family Services.

(b) The Direct Child Welfare Service Employee License Board is created within the Department of Children and Family Services and shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Director. The Director shall annually designate a chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Board. The membership of the Board must be composed as follows: (i) 5 licensed professionals from the field of human services with a human services, juris doctor, medical, public administration, or other relevant human services degree and who are in good standing within their profession, at least 2 of which must be employed in the private not-for-profit sector and at least one of which in the public sector; (ii) 2 faculty members of an accredited university who have child welfare experience and are in good standing within their profession; and (iii) 2 members of the general public who are not licensed under this Act or a similar rule and will represent consumer interests.

In making the first appointments, the Director shall appoint 3 members to serve for a term of one year, 3 members to serve for a term of 2 years, and 3 members to serve for a term of 3 years, or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Their successors shall be appointed to serve 3-year terms, or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Appointments to fill unexpired vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original appointments. No member may be reappointed if a reappointment would cause that member to serve on the Board for longer than 6 consecutive years. Board membership must have reasonable representation from different geographic areas of Illinois, and all members must be residents of this State.

The Director may terminate the appointment of any member for good cause, including, but not limited to: (i) unjustified absences from Board meetings or other failure to meet Board responsibilities, (ii) failure to recuse oneself when required by subsection (c) of this Section or Department rule, or (iii) failure to maintain the professional position required by Department rule. No member of the Board may have a pending or indicated report of child abuse or neglect or a pending complaint or criminal conviction of any of the offenses set forth in paragraph (b) of Section 4.2 of the Child Care Act of 1969.

The members of the Board shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties as members, but each member shall be reimbursed for the member's reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board.

(c) The Board shall make recommendations to the Director regarding licensure rules. Board members must recuse themselves from sitting on any matter involving an employee of a child welfare agency at which the Board member is an employee or contractual employee. The Board shall make a final determination concerning revocation, suspension, or reinstatement of an employee's direct child welfare service license after a hearing conducted under the Department's rules. Upon notification of the manner of the vote to all the members, votes on a final determination may be cast in person, by telephonic or electronic means, or by mail at the discretion of the chairperson. A simple majority of the members appointed and serving is required when Board members vote by mail or by telephonic or electronic means. A majority of the currently appointed and serving Board members constitutes a quorum. A majority of a quorum is required when a recommendation is voted on during a Board meeting. A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to perform all the duties of the Board. Board members are not personally liable in any action based upon a disciplinary proceeding or otherwise for any action taken in good faith as a member of the Board.

(d) The Director may assign Department employees to provide staffing services to the Board. The Department must promulgate any rules necessary to implement and administer the requirements of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-45, eff. 1-1-22; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5e)

Sec. 5e. Advocacy Office for Children and Families.

(a) The Department of Children and Family Services shall establish and maintain an Advocacy Office for Children and Families that shall, in addition to other duties assigned by the Director, receive and respond to complaints that may be filed by children, parents, caretakers, and relatives of children receiving child welfare services from the Department of Children and Family Services or its agents. The Department shall promulgate policies and procedures for filing, processing, investigating, and resolving the complaints. The Department shall make a final report to the complainant of its findings. If a final report is not completed, the Department shall report on its disposition every 30 days.

(b) If a youth in care, current foster parent or caregiver, or caseworker requests the information, the Advocacy Office shall make available the name, electronic mail address, and telephone number for each youth's court-appointed guardian ad litem and, if applicable, the guardian ad litem's supervisor.

(c) The Advocacy Office shall include a statewide toll-free telephone number and an electronic mail address that may be used to file complaints, to obtain information about the delivery of child welfare services by the Department or its agents, and to obtain the contact information for the guardian ad litem. This telephone number and electronic mail address shall be included in all appropriate notices and handbooks regarding services available through the Department.

(d) The Department shall provide a flyer to all youth entering care describing the responsibilities of the Advocacy Office listed in this Section, the toll-free telephone number and electronic mailing address for the Advocacy Office, and a description of the role of a guardian ad litem. The Department shall also provide this flyer to youth at every administrative case review.

(Source: P.A. 102-208, eff. 7-30-21.)

(20 ILCS 505/5f)

Sec. 5f. Reimbursement rates. On July 1, 2019, the Department of Children and Family Services shall increase rates in effect on June 30, 2019 for providers by 5%. The contractual and grant services eligible for increased reimbursement rates under this Section include the following:

(1) Residential services, including child care institutions, group home care, independent living services, or transitional living services.

(2) Specialized, adolescent, treatment, or other non-traditional or Home-of-Relative foster care.

(3) Traditional or Home-of-Relative foster care.

(4) Intact family services.

(5) Teen parenting services.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.05)

Sec. 5.05. Victims of sex trafficking.

(a) Legislative findings. Because of their histories of trauma, youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services are particularly vulnerable to sex traffickers. Sex traffickers often target child care facilities licensed by the Department to recruit their victims. Foster children who are victims of sex trafficking present unique treatment needs that existing treatment programs are not always able to address. The Department of Children and Family Services needs to develop a comprehensive strategy and continuum of care to treat foster children who are identified as victims of sex trafficking.

(b) Multi-disciplinary workgroup. By January 1, 2016, the Department shall convene a multi-disciplinary workgroup to review treatment programs for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking and to make recommendations regarding a continuum of care for these vulnerable youth. The workgroup shall do all of the following:

(1) Conduct a survey of literature and of existing treatment program models available in the State and outside the State for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking, taking into account whether the programs have been subject to evaluation.

(2) Evaluate the need for new programs in the State, taking into account that youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking can present a variety of additional needs, including mental illness, medical needs, emotional disturbance, and cognitive delays.

(3) Review existing State laws and rules that permit children to be placed in secured therapeutic residential care and recommend (i) whether secured residential care should be part of a continuum of care in the State for foster youth who have been sexually trafficked and who repeatedly run away from treatment facilities, and if so, whether any amendments to existing State laws and rules should be made; and (ii) the circumstances under which youth should be considered for placement in secured therapeutic residential care.

(4) Make recommendations regarding a continuum of care for children in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking.

(c) Composition of workgroup. The workgroup shall consist of a minimum of:

(1) two representatives of the Department, including at least one who is familiar with child care facilities licensed by the Department under the Child Care Act of 1969 that provide residential services;

(2) one representative of a child advocacy organization;

(3) one licensed clinician with expertise in working with youth in the Department's care;

(4) one licensed clinician with expertise in working with youth who are victims of sex trafficking;

(5) one board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist;

(6) two persons representing providers of residential treatment programs operating in the State;

(7) two persons representing providers of adolescent foster care or specialized foster care programs operating in the State;

(8) one representative of the Department of Children and Family Services' Statewide Youth Advisory Board;

(9) one representative of an agency independent of the Department who has experience in providing treatment to children and youth who are victims of sex trafficking; and

(10) one representative of a law enforcement agency that works with youth who are victims of sex trafficking.

(d) Records and information. Upon request, the Department shall provide the workgroup with all records and information in the Department's possession that are relevant to the workgroup's review of existing programs and to the workgroup's review of the need for new programs for victims of sex trafficking. The Department shall redact any confidential information from the records and information provided to the workgroup to maintain the confidentiality of persons served by the Department.

(e) Workgroup report. The workgroup shall provide a report to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2017 with its findings and recommendations.

(f) Department report. No later than March 1, 2017, the Department shall implement the workgroup's recommendations, as feasible and appropriate, and shall submit a written report to the General Assembly that explains the Department's decision to implement or to not implement each of the workgroup's recommendations.

(g) Specialized placements. No later than July 1, 2019, the Department shall enter into contracts with public or private agencies or shall complete development for specialized placements for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking. Such specialized placements may include, but not be limited to, licensed foster homes, group homes, residential facilities, and secure residential facilities that specialize in providing treatment to children who are victims of sex trafficking.

(Source: P.A. 99-350, eff. 1-1-16; 100-705, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.10)

Sec. 5.10. Direct child welfare services; Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services shall provide direct child welfare services when not available through other public or private child care or program facilities. For purposes of this Section, "child welfare services" means public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of the following purposes:

(1) Preventing the problems that may result in the neglect, abuse, exploitation, or delinquency of children.

(2) Providing supportive services and living maintenance that contribute to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children who are pregnant and unmarried.

(3) Providing shelter and independent living services for homeless youth.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.15)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2026)

Sec. 5.15. Day care; Department of Human Services.

(a) For the purpose of ensuring effective statewide planning, development, and utilization of resources for the day care of children, operated under various auspices, the Department of Human Services is designated to coordinate all day care activities for children of the State and shall develop or continue, and shall update every year, a State comprehensive day-care plan for submission to the Governor that identifies high-priority areas and groups, relating them to available resources and identifying the most effective approaches to the use of existing day care services. The State comprehensive day-care plan shall be made available to the General Assembly following the Governor's approval of the plan.

The plan shall include methods and procedures for the development of additional day care resources for children to meet the goal of reducing short-run and long-run dependency and to provide necessary enrichment and stimulation to the education of young children. Recommendations shall be made for State policy on optimum use of private and public, local, State and federal resources, including an estimate of the resources needed for the licensing and regulation of day care facilities.

A written report shall be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly annually on April 15. The report shall include an evaluation of developments over the preceding fiscal year, including cost-benefit analyses of various arrangements. Beginning with the report in 1990 submitted by the Department's predecessor agency and every 2 years thereafter, the report shall also include the following:

(1) An assessment of the child care services, needs and available resources throughout the State and an assessment of the adequacy of existing child care services, including, but not limited to, services assisted under this Act and under any other program administered by other State agencies.

(2) A survey of day care facilities to determine the number of qualified caregivers, as defined by rule, attracted to vacant positions and any problems encountered by facilities in attracting and retaining capable caregivers. The report shall include an assessment, based on the survey, of improvements in employee benefits that may attract capable caregivers.

(3) The average wages and salaries and fringe benefit packages paid to caregivers throughout the State, computed on a regional basis, compared to similarly qualified employees in other but related fields.

(4) The qualifications of new caregivers hired at licensed day care facilities during the previous 2-year period.

(5) Recommendations for increasing caregiver wages and salaries to ensure quality care for children.

(6) Evaluation of the fee structure and income eligibility for child care subsidized by the State.

The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.

(b) The Department of Human Services shall establish policies and procedures for developing and implementing interagency agreements with other agencies of the State providing child care services or reimbursement for such services. The plans shall be annually reviewed and modified for the purpose of addressing issues of applicability and service system barriers.

(c) In cooperation with other State agencies, the Department of Human Services shall develop and implement, or shall continue, a resource and referral system for the State of Illinois either within the Department or by contract with local or regional agencies. Funding for implementation of this system may be provided through Department appropriations or other inter-agency funding arrangements. The resource and referral system shall provide at least the following services:

(1) Assembling and maintaining a data base on the supply of child care services.

(2) Providing information and referrals for parents.

(3) Coordinating the development of new child care resources.

(4) Providing technical assistance and training to child care service providers.

(5) Recording and analyzing the demand for child care services.

(d) The Department of Human Services shall conduct day care planning activities with the following priorities:

(1) Development of voluntary day care resources wherever possible, with the provision for grants-in-aid only where demonstrated to be useful and necessary as incentives or supports. By January 1, 2002, the Department shall design a plan to create more child care slots as well as goals and timetables to improve quality and accessibility of child care.

(2) Emphasis on service to children of recipients of public assistance when such service will allow training or employment of the parent toward achieving the goal of independence.

(3) (Blank).

(4) Care of children from families in stress and crises whose members potentially may become, or are in danger of becoming, non-productive and dependent.

(5) Expansion of family day care facilities wherever possible.

(6) Location of centers in economically depressed neighborhoods, preferably in multi-service centers with cooperation of other agencies. The Department shall coordinate the provision of grants, but only to the extent funds are specifically appropriated for this purpose, to encourage the creation and expansion of child care centers in high need communities to be issued by the State, business, and local governments.

(7) Use of existing facilities free of charge or for reasonable rental whenever possible in lieu of construction.

(8) Development of strategies for assuring a more complete range of day care options, including provision of day care services in homes, in schools, or in centers, which will enable a parent or parents to complete a course of education or obtain or maintain employment and the creation of more child care options for swing shift, evening, and weekend workers and for working women with sick children. The Department shall encourage companies to provide child care in their own offices or in the building in which the corporation is located so that employees of all the building's tenants can benefit from the facility.

(9) Development of strategies for subsidizing students pursuing degrees in the child care field.

(10) Continuation and expansion of service programs that assist teen parents to continue and complete their education.

Emphasis shall be given to support services that will help to ensure such parents' graduation from high school and to services for participants in any programs of job training conducted by the Department.

(e) The Department of Human Services shall actively stimulate the development of public and private resources at the local level. It shall also seek the fullest utilization of federal funds directly or indirectly available to the Department.

Where appropriate, existing non-governmental agencies or associations shall be involved in planning by the Department.

(f) To better accommodate the child care needs of low income working families, especially those who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or who are transitioning from TANF to work, or who are at risk of depending on TANF in the absence of child care, the Department shall complete a study using outcome-based assessment measurements to analyze the various types of child care needs, including but not limited to: child care homes; child care facilities; before and after school care; and evening and weekend care. Based upon the findings of the study, the Department shall develop a plan by April 15, 1998, that identifies the various types of child care needs within various geographic locations. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the special needs of parents and guardians in need of non-traditional child care services such as early mornings, evenings, and weekends; the needs of very low income families and children and how they might be better served; and strategies to assist child care providers to meet the needs and schedules of low income families.

(g) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2026)

Sec. 5.20. Child care for former public aid recipients; Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services may provide child care services to former recipients of assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code as authorized by Section 9-6.3 of that Code. This Section is repealed on July 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.25)

Sec. 5.25. Behavioral health services.

(a) Every child in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services under this Act shall receive the necessary behavioral health services including but not limited to: mental health services, trauma services, substance abuse services, and developmental disabilities services. The provision of these services may be provided in milieu including but not limited to: integrated assessment, treatment plans, individual and group therapy, specialized foster care, community based programming, licensed residential services, psychosocial rehabilitation, screening assessment and support services, hospitalization, and transitional planning and referral to the Department of Human Services for appropriate services when the child reaches adulthood. Services shall be appropriate to meet the needs of the individual child and may be provided to the child at the site of the program, facility, or foster home or at an otherwise appropriate location. A program facility, or home, shall assist the Department staff in arranging for a child to receive behavioral health services from an outside provider when those services are necessary to meet the child's needs and the child wishes to receive them.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2006, the Department shall file a proposed rule or a proposed amendment to an existing rule regarding the provision of behavioral health services to children who have serious behavioral health needs. The proposal shall address, but is not limited to, the implementation of the following: integrated assessment, treatment plans, individual and group therapy, specialized foster care, community based programming, licensed residential services, psychosocial rehabilitation, hospitalization, and transitional planning and referral to the Department of Human Services for appropriate services when the child reaches adulthood.

(c) In preparation for the comprehensive implementation of the behavioral health system, the Department shall also prepare an assessment of behavioral health community services available to the Department in the State. The assessment shall evaluate the resources needed in each region to provide appropriate behavioral health services for all of the Department's foster children within the region's service area who are in need of behavioral health services. The assessments shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of the current availability and needs in each of the following areas: comprehensive integrated assessment, trauma services, mental health treatment, qualified mental health professionals, community providers, programs for psychosocial rehabilitation, and programs for substance abuse. By January 1, 2007, the Department shall complete all required individual and regional assessments and shall submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly that describes the results of the assessment and contains a specific plan to address the identified needs for services.

(Source: P.A. 94-34, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.26)

Sec. 5.26. Foster children; exit interviews.

(a) Unless clinically contraindicated, the Department shall ensure that an exit interview is conducted with every child age 5 and over who leaves a foster home.

(1) The interview shall be conducted by a caseworker, mental health provider, or clinician from the Department's Division of Clinical Practice.

(2) The interview shall be conducted within 5 days of the child's removal from the home.

(3) The interviewer shall comply with the provisions of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act if the child discloses abuse or neglect as defined by that Act.

(4) The interviewer shall immediately inform the licensing agency if the child discloses any information that would constitute a potential licensing violation.

(5) Documentation of the interview shall be (i) maintained in the foster parent's licensing file, (ii) maintained in the child's case file, (iii) included in the service plan for the child, and (iv) and provided to the child's guardian ad litem and attorney appointed under Section 2-17 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(6) The determination that an interview in compliance with this Section is clinically contraindicated shall be made by the caseworker, in consultation with the child's mental health provider, if any, and the caseworker's supervisor. If the child does not have a mental health provider, the caseworker shall request a consultation with the Department's Division of Clinical Practice regarding whether an interview is clinically contraindicated. The decision and the basis for the decision shall be documented in writing and shall be (i) maintained in the foster parent's licensing file, (ii) maintained in the child's case file, and (iii) attached as part of the service plan for the child.

(7) The information gathered during the interview shall be dependent on the age and maturity of the child and the circumstances of the child's removal. The interviewer's observations and any information relevant to understanding the child's responses shall be recorded on the interview form. At a minimum, the interview shall address the following areas:

(A) How the child's basic needs were met in the home: who prepared food and was there sufficient food; whether the child had appropriate clothing; sleeping arrangements; supervision appropriate to the child's age and special needs; was the child enrolled in school; and did the child receive the support needed to complete the child's school work.

(B) Access to caseworker, therapist, or guardian ad litem: whether the child was able to contact these professionals and how.

(C) Safety and comfort in the home: how did the child feel in the home; was the foster parent affirming of the child's identity; did anything happen that made the child happy; did anything happen that was scary or sad; what happened when the child did something the child should not have done; if relevant, how does the child think the foster parent felt about the child's family of origin, including parents and siblings; and was the foster parent supportive of the permanency goal.

(D) Normalcy: whether the child felt included in the family; whether the child participated in extracurricular activities; whether the foster parent participated in planning for the child, including child and family team meetings and school meetings.

(b) The Department shall develop procedures, including an interview form, no later than January 1, 2023, to implement this Section.

(c) Beginning July 1, 2023 and quarterly thereafter, the Department shall post on its webpage a report summarizing the details of the exit interviews.

(Source: P.A. 102-763, eff. 1-1-23; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.27)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 5.27. Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force.

(a) The Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force is created. The Task Force shall review and make recommendations regarding mental health and wellness services provided to youth in care, including a program of holistic mental health services provided 30 days after the date upon which a youth is placed in foster care, in order to determine how to best meet the mental health needs of youth in care. Additionally, the Task Force shall:

(1) assess the capacity of State licensed mental health professionals to provide preventive mental health care to youth in care;

(2) review the current payment rates for mental health providers serving the youth in care population;

(3) evaluate the process for smaller private practices and agencies to bill through managed care, evaluate delayed payments to mental health providers, and recommend improvements to make billing practices more efficient;

(4) evaluate the recruitment and retention of mental health providers who are persons of color to serve the youth in care population; and

(5) any other relevant subject and processes as deemed necessary by the Task Force.

(b) The Task Force shall have 9 members, comprised as follows:

(1) The Director of Healthcare and Family Services or the Director's designee.

(2) The Director of Children and Family Services or the Director's designee.

(3) A member appointed by the Governor from the Office of the Governor who has a focus on mental health issues.

(4) Two members from the House of Representatives, appointed one each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(5) Two members of the Senate, appointed one each by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(6) One member who is a former youth in care, appointed by the Governor.

(7) One representative from the managed care entity managing the YouthCare program, appointed by the Director of Healthcare and Family Services.

Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(c) The Task Force shall meet at least once each month beginning no later than July 1, 2022 and at other times as determined by the Task Force. The Task Force may hold electronic meetings and a member of the Task Force shall be deemed present for the purposes of establishing a quorum and voting.

(d) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in conjunction with the Department of Children and Family Services, shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly at the end of each quarter a report that summarizes its work. The Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2025. Upon submission of its final report, the Task Force is dissolved.

(f) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 102-898, eff. 5-25-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-811, eff. 8-9-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.30)

Sec. 5.30. Specialized care.

(a) Not later than July 1, 2007, the Department shall adopt a rule, or an amendment to a rule then in effect, regarding the provision of specialized care to a child in the custody or guardianship of the Department, or to a child being placed in a subsidized guardianship arrangement or under an adoption assistance agreement, who requires such services due to emotional, behavioral, developmental, or medical needs, or any combination thereof, or any other needs which require special intervention services, the primary goal being to maintain the child in foster care or in a permanency setting. The rule or amendment to a rule shall establish, at a minimum, the criteria, standards, and procedures for the following:

(1) The determination that a child requires specialization.

(2) The determination of the level of care required to meet the child's special needs.

(3) The approval of a plan of care that will meet the child's special needs.

(4) The monitoring of the specialized care provided to the child and review of the plan to ensure quality of care and effectiveness in meeting the child's needs.

(5) The determination, approval, and implementation of amendments to the plan of care.

(6) The establishment and maintenance of the qualifications, including specialized training, of caretakers of specialized children.

The rule or amendment to a rule adopted under this subsection shall establish the minimum services to be provided to children eligible for specialized care under this Section. The Department shall also adopt rules providing for the training of Department and public or private agency staff involved in implementing the rule. On or before September 1 of 2007 and each year thereafter, the Department shall submit to the General Assembly an annual report on the implementation of this Section.

(b) No payments to caregivers in effect for the specialized treatment or care of a child, nor the level of care being provided to a child prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, shall be reduced under the criteria, standards, and procedures adopted and implemented under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-1010, eff. 10-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.35)

Sec. 5.35. Residential services; rates.

(a) In this Section, "residential services" means child care institution care, group home care, independent living services, and transitional living services that are licensed and purchased by the Department on behalf of children under the age of 22 years who are served by the Department and who need 24-hour residential care due to emotional and behavior problems or severe mental illness and that are services for which the Department has rate-setting authority.

For the purposes of this Section, "residential services" does not include (i) residential alcohol and other drug abuse treatment services or (ii) programs serving children primarily referred because of a developmental disability or mental health needs.

(b) The Department shall work with representatives of residential services providers with which the Department contracts for residential services and with representatives of other State agencies that purchase comparable residential services from agencies for which the Department has rate-setting authority to develop a performance-based model for these residential services. Other State agencies shall include, but not be limited to, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Illinois State Board of Education. The rate paid by the other State agencies for comparable residential services shall not be less than the performance-based rates set by the Department.

(c) The performance-based model to be developed shall include required program components and a rate-setting methodology that incorporates the reasonable costs of the required program components, subject to the provisions and limitations prescribed in 89 Illinois Administrative Code, Chapter III, Subchapter c, Part 356, Rate-setting.

(Source: P.A. 96-65, eff. 7-23-09.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.40)

Sec. 5.40. Multi-dimensional treatment foster care. Subject to appropriations, beginning June 1, 2016, the Department shall implement a 5-year pilot program of multi-dimensional treatment foster care, or a substantially similar evidence-based program of professional foster care, for (i) children entering care with severe trauma histories, with the goal of returning the child home or maintaining the child in foster care instead of placing the child in congregate care or a more restrictive setting or placement, (ii) children who require placement in foster care when they are ready for discharge from a residential treatment facility, and (iii) children who are identified for residential or group home care and who, based on a determination made by the Department, could be placed in a foster home if higher level interventions are provided.

The Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether it is meeting the goal of maintaining children in the least restrictive, most appropriate family-like setting, near the child's home community, while they are in the Department's care and to determine whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program.

At the end of the 5-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. The report shall state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision.

(Source: P.A. 99-350, eff. 1-1-16.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.45)

Sec. 5.45. Managed care plan services.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Caregiver" means an individual or entity directly providing the day-to-day care of a child ensuring the child's safety and well-being.

"Child" means a child placed in the care of the Department pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

"Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services, or any successor State agency.

"Director" means the Director of Children and Family Services.

"Managed care organization" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 5-30.1 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

"Medicaid managed care plan" means a health care plan operated by a managed care organization under the Medical Assistance Program established in Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

"Workgroup" means the Child Welfare Medicaid Managed Care Implementation Advisory Workgroup.

(b) Every child who is in the care of the Department pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall receive the necessary services required by this Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, including any child enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan.

(c) The Department shall not relinquish its authority or diminish its responsibility to determine and provide necessary services that are in the best interest of a child even if those services are directly or indirectly:

(1) provided by a managed care organization, another State agency, or other third parties;

(2) coordinated through a managed care organization, another State agency, or other third parties; or

(3) paid for by a managed care organization, another State agency, or other third parties.

(d) The Department shall:

(1) implement and enforce measures to ensure that a child's enrollment in Medicaid managed care supports continuity of treatment and does not hinder service delivery;

(2) establish a single point of contact for health care coverage inquiries and dispute resolution systemwide without transferring this responsibility to a third party such as a managed care coordinator;

(3) not require any child to participate in Medicaid managed care if the child would otherwise be exempt from enrolling in a Medicaid managed care plan under any rule or statute of this State; and

(4) make recommendations regarding managed care contract measures, quality assurance activities, and performance delivery evaluations in consultation with the Workgroup; and

(5) post on its website:

(A) a link to any rule adopted or procedures changed to address the provisions of this Section, if applicable;

(B) each managed care organization's contract, enrollee handbook, and directory;

(C) the notification process and timeframe requirements used to inform managed care plan enrollees, enrollees' caregivers, and enrollees' legal representation of any changes in health care coverage or change in a child's managed care provider;

(D) defined prior authorization requirements for prescriptions, goods, and services in emergency and non-emergency situations;

(E) the State's current Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan developed in accordance with federal requirements; and

(F) the transition plan required under subsection (f), including:

(i) the public comments submitted to the Department, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Workgroup for consideration in development of the transition plan;

(ii) a list and summary of recommendations of the Workgroup that the Director or Director of Healthcare and Family Services declined to adopt or implement; and

(iii) the Department's attestation that the transition plan will not impede the Department's ability to timely identify the service needs of youth in care and the timely and appropriate provision of services to address those identified needs.

(e) The Child Welfare Medicaid Managed Care Implementation Advisory Workgroup is established to advise the Department on the transition and implementation of managed care for children. The Director of Children and Family Services and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services shall serve as co-chairpersons of the Workgroup. The Directors shall jointly appoint members to the Workgroup who are stakeholders from the child welfare community, including:

(1) employees of the Department of Children and Family Services who have responsibility in the areas of (i) managed care services, (ii) performance monitoring and oversight, (iii) placement operations, and (iv) budget revenue maximization;

(2) employees of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services who have responsibility in the areas of (i) managed care contracting, (ii) performance monitoring and oversight, (iii) children's behavioral health, and (iv) budget revenue maximization;

(3) 2 representatives of youth in care;

(4) one representative of managed care organizations serving youth in care;

(5) 4 representatives of child welfare providers;

(6) one representative of parents of children in out-of-home care;

(7) one representative of universities or research institutions;

(8) one representative of pediatric physicians;

(9) one representative of the juvenile court;

(10) one representative of caregivers of youth in care;

(11) one practitioner with expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry;

(12) one representative of substance abuse and mental health providers with expertise in serving children involved in child welfare and their families;

(13) at least one member of the Medicaid Advisory Committee;

(14) one representative of a statewide organization representing hospitals;

(15) one representative of a statewide organization representing child welfare providers;

(16) one representative of a statewide organization representing substance abuse and mental health providers; and

(17) other child advocates as deemed appropriate by the Directors.

To the greatest extent possible, the co-chairpersons shall appoint members who reflect the geographic diversity of the State and include members who represent rural service areas. Members shall serve 2-year terms or until the Workgroup dissolves. If a vacancy occurs in the Workgroup membership, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Workgroup shall hold meetings, as it deems appropriate, in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State to solicit public comments to develop its recommendations. To ensure the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services are provided time to confer and determine their use of pertinent Workgroup recommendations in the transition plan required under subsection (f), the co-chairpersons shall convene at least 3 meetings. The Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide administrative support to the Workgroup. Workgroup members shall serve without compensation. The Workgroup shall dissolve 5 years after the Department of Children and Family Services' implementation of managed care.

(f) Prior to transitioning any child to managed care, the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Workgroup, must develop and post publicly, a transition plan for the provision of health care services to children enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans. Interim transition plans must be posted to the Department's website by July 15, 2018. The transition plan shall be posted at least 28 days before the Department's implementation of managed care. The transition plan shall address, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) an assessment of existing network adequacy, plans to address gaps in network, and ongoing network evaluation;

(2) a framework for preparing and training organizations, caregivers, frontline staff, and managed care organizations;

(3) the identification of administrative changes necessary for successful transition to managed care, and the timeframes to make changes;

(4) defined roles, responsibilities, and lines of authority for care coordination, placement providers, service providers, and each State agency involved in management and oversight of managed care services;

(5) data used to establish baseline performance and quality of care, which shall be utilized to assess quality outcomes and identify ongoing areas for improvement;

(6) a process for stakeholder input into managed care planning and implementation;

(7) a dispute resolution process, including the rights of enrollees and representatives of enrollees under the dispute process and timeframes for dispute resolution determinations and remedies;

(8) the process for health care transition for youth exiting the Department's care through emancipation or achieving permanency; and

(9) protections to ensure the continued provision of health care services if a child's residence or legal guardian changes.

(g) Reports.

(1) On or before February 1, 2019, and on or before each February 1 thereafter, the Department shall submit a report to the House and Senate Human Services Committees, or to any successor committees, on measures of access to and the quality of health care services for children enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans, including, but not limited to, data showing whether:

(A) children enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans have continuity of care across placement types, geographic regions, and specialty service needs;

(B) each child is receiving the early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services as required by federal law, including, but not limited to, regular preventative care and timely specialty care;

(C) children are assigned to health homes;

(D) each child has a health care oversight and coordination plan as required by federal law;

(E) there exist complaints and grievances indicating gaps or barriers in service delivery; and

(F) the Workgroup and other stakeholders have and continue to be engaged in quality improvement initiatives.

The report shall be prepared in consultation with the Workgroup and other agencies, organizations, or individuals the Director deems appropriate in order to obtain comprehensive and objective information about the managed care plan operation.

(2) During each legislative session, the House and Senate Human Services Committees shall hold hearings to take public testimony about managed care implementation for children in the care of, adopted from, or placed in guardianship by the Department. The Department shall present testimony, including information provided in the report required under paragraph (1), the Department's compliance with the provisions of this Section, and any recommendations for statutory changes to improve health care for children in the Department's care.

(h) If any provision of this Section or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity of that provision or application does not affect other provisions or applications of this Section that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

(Source: P.A. 100-646, eff. 7-27-18.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.46)

Sec. 5.46. Application for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, and Railroad Retirement benefits.

(a) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Achieving a Better Life Experience Account" or "ABLE account" means an account established for the purpose of financing certain qualified expenses of eligible individuals as specifically provided for in Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 16.6 of the State Treasurer Act.

"Benefits" means Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, and Railroad Retirement benefits.

"DCFS Guardianship Administrator" means a Department representative appointed as guardian of the person or legal custodian of the minor youth in care.

"Youth's attorney and guardian ad litem" means the person appointed as the youth's attorney or guardian ad litem in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in the proceeding in which the Department is appointed as the youth's guardian or custodian.

(b) Application for benefits.

(1) Upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for benefits. If, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. The Department shall prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. The Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process.

(2) When applying for benefits under this Section for a youth in care the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with the requirements of 20 CFR 404.2021 and 416.621. If the Department is seeking to be appointed as the youth's representative payee, the Department must consider input, if provided, from the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem regarding whether another representative payee, consistent with the requirements of 20 CFR 404.2021 and 416.621, is available. If the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth over the age of 18, the Department shall request a court order, as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d).

(c) Notifications. The Department shall immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of:

(1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care;

(2) beginning January 1, 2025, any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and

(3) beginning January 1, 2025, any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits.

(d) Use of benefits. Consistent with federal law, when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits and receives benefits on the youth's behalf, the Department shall:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved in accordance with paragraph (4) as follows:

(A) From the age of 14 through age 15, at least 40%.

(B) From the age of 16 through age 17, at least 80%.

(C) From the age of 18 and older, 100%, when a court order has been entered expressly authorizing the DCFS Guardianship Administrator to serve as the designated representative to establish an ABLE account on behalf of a youth in accordance with paragraph (4).

(2) Beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4), as applicable, as follows:

(A) From the age of 14 through age 15, at least 40%.

(B) From the age of 16 through age 17, at least 80%.

(C) From the age of 18, 100%. If establishment of an ABLE account is necessary to conserve benefits for youth age 18 and older, then benefits shall be conserved in accordance with paragraph (4) when a court order has been entered expressly authorizing the DCFS Guardianship Administrator to serve as the designated representative to establish an ABLE account on behalf of a youth.

(3) Exercise discretion in accordance with federal law and in the best interests of the youth when making decisions to use or conserve the youth's benefits that are less than or not subject to asset or resource limits under federal law, including using the benefits to address the youth's special needs and conserving the benefits for the youth's reasonably foreseeable future needs.

(4) Appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the Supplemental Security Income benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to: ;

(A) establishing an ABLE account authorized by Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, for the youth and conserving the youth's benefits in that account in a manner that appropriately avoids any federal asset or resource limits;

(B) if the Department determines that using the benefits for services for current special needs not already provided by the Department is in the best interest of the youth, using the benefits for those services;

(C) if federal law requires certain back payments of benefits to be placed in a dedicated account, complying with the requirements for dedicated accounts under 20 CFR 416.640(e); and

(D) applying any other exclusions from federal asset or resource limits available under federal law and using or conserving the youth's benefits in a manner that appropriately avoids any federal asset or resource limits.

(e) By July 1, 2024, the Department shall provide a report to the General Assembly regarding youth in care who receive benefits who are not subject to this Act. The report shall discuss a goal of expanding conservation of children's benefits to all benefits of all children of any age for whom the Department serves as representative payee. The report shall include a description of any identified obstacles, steps to be taken to address the obstacles, and a description of any need for statutory, rule, or procedural changes.

(f) (1) Accounting.

(A) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly through December 31, 2024, upon request of the youth's attorney or guardian ad litem, the Department shall provide an annual accounting to the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how the youth's benefits have been used and conserved.

(B) Beginning January 1, 2025 and every year thereafter, an annual accounting of how the youth's benefits have been used and conserved shall be provided automatically to the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem.

(C) In addition, within 10 business days of a request from a youth or the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, the Department shall provide an accounting to the youth of how the youth's benefits have been used and conserved.

(2) The accounting shall include:

(A) The amount of benefits received on the youth's behalf since the most recent accounting and the date the benefits were received.

(B) Information regarding the youth's benefits and resources, including the youth's benefits, insurance, cash assets, trust accounts, earnings, and other resources.

(C) An accounting of the disbursement of benefit funds, including the date, amount, identification of payee, and purpose.

(D) Information regarding each request by the youth, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, or the youth's caregiver for disbursement of funds and a statement regarding the reason for not granting the request if the request was denied.

When the Department's guardianship of the youth is being terminated, prior to or upon the termination of guardianship, the Department shall provide (i) a final accounting to the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and to either the person or persons who will assume guardianship of the youth or who is in the process of adopting the youth, if the youth is under 18, or to the youth, if the youth is over 18 and (ii) information to the parent, guardian, or youth regarding how to apply to become the designated representative for the youth's ABLE account.

(g) Education. The Department shall provide the youth who have funds conserved under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) with education and support, including specific information regarding the existence, availability, and use of funds conserved for the youth in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d), beginning by age 14 in a developmentally appropriate manner. The education and support services shall be developed in consultation with input from the Department's Statewide Youth Advisory Board. Education and informational materials related to ABLE accounts shall be developed in consultation with and approved by the State Treasurer.

(h) Adoption of rules. The Department shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this Section by January 1, 2024.

(i) Reporting. No later than February 28, 2023, the Department shall file a report with the General Assembly providing the following information for State Fiscal Years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 and annually beginning February 28, 2023, for the preceding fiscal year:

(1) The number of youth entering care.

(2) The number of youth entering care receiving each of the following types of benefits: Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits.

(3) The number of youth entering care for whom the Department filed an application for each of the following types of benefits: Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits.

(4) The number of youth entering care who were awarded each of the following types of benefits based on an application filed by the Department: Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits.

(j) Annually beginning December 31, 2023, the Department shall file a report with the General Assembly with the following information regarding the preceding fiscal year:

(1) the number of conserved accounts established and maintained for youth in care;

(2) the average amount conserved by age group; and

(3) the total amount conserved by age group.

(Source: P.A. 102-1014, eff. 5-27-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-564, eff. 11-17-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/5.47)

Sec. 5.47. Extended Family Support Pilot Program. The Department may consult with independent partners to review Extended Family Support Program services and advise if additional services are needed prior to the start of the pilot program required under this Section. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Department shall implement a 3-year pilot program of additional resources for families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department for the purpose of supporting relative caregivers. These resources may include, but are not limited to: (i) wraparound case management services, (ii) home visiting services for caregivers with children under the age of 5, and (iii) parent mentors for caregivers with children over the age of 3.

The services for the Extended Family Support Program are expanded given the program's inclusion in the Family First Prevention Services Act's targeted populations. Other target populations include intact families, pregnant and parenting youth, reunification within 6 months, and post adoption and subsidized guardianship. Inclusion provides the array of evidence-based interventions included within the State's Family First Prevention Services plan. Funding through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act shall be spent on services to prevent children and youth who are candidates for foster care from coming into care and allow them to remain with their families. Given the inclusion of the Extended Family Support Program in the Family First Prevention Services Act, the program is a part of the independent evaluation of Family First Prevention Services. This includes tracking deflection from foster care.

The resources provided by the pilot program are voluntary and refusing such resources shall not be used as evidence of neglect of a child.

The Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services or Family First Prevention Program services and preventing entrance into the foster care system. This evaluation will support determining whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program.

At the end of the 3-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. The report shall state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision.

The Department may adopt rules and procedures to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-1029, eff. 5-27-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/6) (from Ch. 23, par. 5006)

Sec. 6. The Department shall not authorize payment under Section 5 or accept guardianship for any child for whom a final dependency order has been entered prior to January 1, 1964, under the provisions of the "Family Court Act" or for a child accepted for care or placement by a private child care facility prior to that date, except for a child who has been receiving public aid under Articles IV, V, VI, or VII of "The Illinois Public Aid Code" who is no longer eligible for such aid but who continues to be in need of foster care.

(Source: P.A. 76-367.)

(20 ILCS 505/6.5)

Sec. 6.5. Children; methamphetamine; protocol.

(a) The Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of State Police, and the State Board of Education shall jointly develop a sample protocol to be followed by the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of State Police or a local law enforcement agency, or a school when:

(1) a person or persons are arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine at a place where a child under 18 years of age resides; or

(2) the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of State Police or a local law enforcement agency, or a school has reason to believe that a child under 18 years of age is being exposed to an environment where methamphetamine is manufactured or used.

(b) At a minimum, the protocol developed under this Section must do the following:

(1) Provide for an appropriate custodian of the affected child.

(2) Provide for the necessary care and supervision of the affected child, including appropriate shelter, clothing, food, and medical care.

(3) Provide for the child's attendance at an appropriate school.

(c) The Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of State Police, and the State Board of Education must develop the protocol by January 1, 2006.

(d) The Department of Children and Family Services must post the protocol on the official Web site maintained by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 94-554, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 505/6a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5006a)

Sec. 6a. Case plan.

(a) With respect to each Department client for whom the Department is providing placement service, the Department shall develop a case plan designed to stabilize the family situation and prevent placement of a child outside the home of the family when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health or safety, reunify the family if temporary placement is necessary when safe and appropriate, or move the child toward the most permanent living arrangement and permanent legal status. Such case plan shall provide for the utilization of family preservation services as defined in Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Such case plan shall be reviewed and updated every 6 months. The Department shall ensure that incarcerated parents are able to participate in case plan reviews via teleconference or videoconference. Where appropriate, the case plan shall include recommendations concerning alcohol or drug abuse evaluation.

If the parent is incarcerated, the case plan must address the tasks that must be completed by the parent and how the parent will participate in the administrative case review and permanency planning hearings and, wherever possible, must include treatment that reflects the resources available at the facility where the parent is confined. The case plan must provide for visitation opportunities, unless visitation is not in the best interests of the child.

(b) The Department may enter into written agreements with child welfare agencies to establish and implement case plan demonstration projects. The demonstration projects shall require that service providers develop, implement, review and update client case plans. The Department shall examine the effectiveness of the demonstration projects in promoting the family reunification or the permanent placement of each client and shall report its findings to the General Assembly no later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year in which any such demonstration project is implemented.

(Source: P.A. 99-836, eff. 1-1-17.)

(20 ILCS 505/6b) (from Ch. 23, par. 5006b)

Sec. 6b. Case tracking system.

(1) The Department shall establish and operate a case tracking system which shall be designed to monitor and evaluate family preservation, family reunification and placement services.

(2) The Department shall establish and operate the case tracking system for the Department clients for whom the Department is providing or paying for such services. The Department shall work with the courts in the development of a cooperative case tracking system.

(3) The Department shall determine the basic elements and access and provide for records of the case tracking system to not be open to the general public.

(4) The Department shall use the case tracking system to determine whether any child reported to the Department under Section 3.5 of the Intergovernmental Missing Child Recovery Act of 1984 matches a youth in care and whether that child had been abandoned within the previous 2 months.

(Source: P.A. 100-159, eff. 8-18-17.)

(20 ILCS 505/6b-1)

Sec. 6b-1. Maintaining and tracking information on guardians ad litem. The Department must maintain the name, electronic mail address, and telephone number for each youth in care's court-appointed guardian ad litem and, if applicable, the guardian ad litem's supervisor. The Department must update this contact information within 5 days of receiving notice of a change. The Advocacy Office for Children and Families, established pursuant to Section 5e, must make this contact information available to the youth in care, current foster parent or caregiver, or caseworker, if requested. By December 31, 2021, the Department shall adopt rules for maintaining and providing this information.

(Source: P.A. 102-208, eff. 7-30-21.)

(20 ILCS 505/6c)

Sec. 6c. Parental inquiry. The Department shall maintain a system of response to inquiry made by parents or putative parents as to whether their child is under the custody or guardianship of the Department; and if so, the Department shall direct the parents or putative parents to the appropriate court of jurisdiction, including where inquiry may be made of the clerk of the court regarding the case number and the next scheduled court date of the minor's case. Effective notice and the means of accessing information shall be given to the public on a continuing basis by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 90-27, eff. 1-1-98.)

(20 ILCS 505/7) (from Ch. 23, par. 5007)

Sec. 7. Placement of children; considerations.

(a) In placing any child under this Act, the Department shall place the child, as far as possible, in the care and custody of some individual holding the same religious belief as the parents of the child, or with some child care facility which is operated by persons of like religious faith as the parents of such child.

(a-5) In placing a child under this Act, the Department shall place the child with the child's sibling or siblings under Section 7.4 of this Act unless the placement is not in each child's best interest, or is otherwise not possible under the Department's rules. If the child is not placed with a sibling under the Department's rules, the Department shall consider placements that are likely to develop, preserve, nurture, and support sibling relationships, where doing so is in each child's best interest.

(b) In placing a child under this Act, the Department may place a child with a relative if the Department determines that the relative will be able to adequately provide for the child's safety and welfare based on the factors set forth in the Department's rules governing relative placements, and that the placement is consistent with the child's best interests, taking into consideration the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

When the Department first assumes custody of a child, in placing that child under this Act, the Department shall make reasonable efforts to identify, locate, and provide notice to all adult grandparents and other adult relatives of the child who are ready, willing, and able to care for the child. At a minimum, these efforts shall be renewed each time the child requires a placement change and it is appropriate for the child to be cared for in a home environment. The Department must document its efforts to identify, locate, and provide notice to such potential relative placements and maintain the documentation in the child's case file.

If the Department determines that a placement with any identified relative is not in the child's best interests or that the relative does not meet the requirements to be a relative caregiver, as set forth in Department rules or by statute, the Department must document the basis for that decision and maintain the documentation in the child's case file.

If, pursuant to the Department's rules, any person files an administrative appeal of the Department's decision not to place a child with a relative, it is the Department's burden to prove that the decision is consistent with the child's best interests.

When the Department determines that the child requires placement in an environment, other than a home environment, the Department shall continue to make reasonable efforts to identify and locate relatives to serve as visitation resources for the child and potential future placement resources, except when the Department determines that those efforts would be futile or inconsistent with the child's best interests.

If the Department determines that efforts to identify and locate relatives would be futile or inconsistent with the child's best interests, the Department shall document the basis of its determination and maintain the documentation in the child's case file.

If the Department determines that an individual or a group of relatives are inappropriate to serve as visitation resources or possible placement resources, the Department shall document the basis of its determination and maintain the documentation in the child's case file.

When the Department determines that an individual or a group of relatives are appropriate to serve as visitation resources or possible future placement resources, the Department shall document the basis of its determination, maintain the documentation in the child's case file, create a visitation or transition plan, or both, and incorporate the visitation or transition plan, or both, into the child's case plan. For the purpose of this subsection, any determination as to the child's best interests shall include consideration of the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

The Department may not place a child with a relative, with the exception of certain circumstances which may be waived as defined by the Department in rules, if the results of a check of the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) identifies a prior criminal conviction of the relative or any adult member of the relative's household for any of the following offenses under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012:

(1) murder;

(1.1) solicitation of murder;

(1.2) solicitation of murder for hire;

(1.3) intentional homicide of an unborn child;

(1.4) voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child;

(1.5) involuntary manslaughter;

(1.6) reckless homicide;

(1.7) concealment of a homicidal death;

(1.8) involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child;

(1.9) reckless homicide of an unborn child;

(1.10) drug-induced homicide;

(2) a sex offense under Article 11, except offenses described in Sections 11-7, 11-8, 11-12, 11-13, 11-35, 11-40, and 11-45;

(3) kidnapping;

(3.1) aggravated unlawful restraint;

(3.2) forcible detention;

(3.3) aiding and abetting child abduction;

(4) aggravated kidnapping;

(5) child abduction;

(6) aggravated battery of a child as described in Section 12-4.3 or subdivision (b)(1) of Section 12-3.05;

(7) criminal sexual assault;

(8) aggravated criminal sexual assault;

(8.1) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child;

(9) criminal sexual abuse;

(10) aggravated sexual abuse;

(11) heinous battery as described in Section 12-4.1 or subdivision (a)(2) of Section 12-3.05;

(12) aggravated battery with a firearm as described in Section 12-4.2 or subdivision (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), or (e)(4) of Section 12-3.05;

(13) tampering with food, drugs, or cosmetics;

(14) drug-induced infliction of great bodily harm as described in Section 12-4.7 or subdivision (g)(1) of Section 12-3.05;

(15) aggravated stalking;

(16) home invasion;

(17) vehicular invasion;

(18) criminal transmission of HIV;

(19) criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly person or person with a disability as described in Section 12-21 or subsection (b) of Section 12-4.4a;

(20) child abandonment;

(21) endangering the life or health of a child;

(22) ritual mutilation;

(23) ritualized abuse of a child;

(24) an offense in any other state the elements of which are similar and bear a substantial relationship to any of the foregoing offenses.

For the purpose of this subsection, "relative" shall include any person, 21 years of age or over, other than the parent, who (i) is currently related to the child in any of the following ways by blood or adoption: grandparent, sibling, great-grandparent, parent's sibling, sibling's child, first cousin, second cousin, godparent, or grandparent's sibling; or (ii) is the spouse of such a relative; or (iii) is the child's step-parent, or adult step-sibling; or (iv) is a fictive kin; "relative" also includes a person related in any of the foregoing ways to a sibling of a child, even though the person is not related to the child, when the child and the child's sibling are placed together with that person. For children who have been in the guardianship of the Department, have been adopted, and are subsequently returned to the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department, a "relative" may also include any person who would have qualified as a relative under this paragraph prior to the adoption, but only if the Department determines, and documents, that it would be in the child's best interests to consider this person a relative, based upon the factors for determining best interests set forth in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. A relative with whom a child is placed pursuant to this subsection may, but is not required to, apply for licensure as a foster family home pursuant to the Child Care Act of 1969; provided, however, that as of July 1, 1995, foster care payments shall be made only to licensed foster family homes pursuant to the terms of Section 5 of this Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision under this subsection to the contrary, a fictive kin with whom a child is placed pursuant to this subsection shall apply for licensure as a foster family home pursuant to the Child Care Act of 1969 within 6 months of the child's placement with the fictive kin. The Department shall not remove a child from the home of a fictive kin on the basis that the fictive kin fails to apply for licensure within 6 months of the child's placement with the fictive kin, or fails to meet the standard for licensure. All other requirements established under the rules and procedures of the Department concerning the placement of a child, for whom the Department is legally responsible, with a relative shall apply. By June 1, 2015, the Department shall promulgate rules establishing criteria and standards for placement, identification, and licensure of fictive kin.

For purposes of this subsection, "fictive kin" means any individual, unrelated by birth or marriage, who:

(i) is shown to have significant and close personal or emotional ties with the child or the child's family prior to the child's placement with the individual; or

(ii) is the current foster parent of a child in the custody or guardianship of the Department pursuant to this Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, if the child has been placed in the home for at least one year and has established a significant and family-like relationship with the foster parent, and the foster parent has been identified by the Department as the child's permanent connection, as defined by Department rule.

The provisions added to this subsection (b) by Public Act 98-846 shall become operative on and after June 1, 2015.

(c) In placing a child under this Act, the Department shall ensure that the child's health, safety, and best interests are met. In rejecting placement of a child with an identified relative, the Department shall ensure that the child's health, safety, and best interests are met. In evaluating the best interests of the child, the Department shall take into consideration the factors set forth in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

The Department shall consider the individual needs of the child and the capacity of the prospective foster or adoptive parents to meet the needs of the child. When a child must be placed outside the child's home and cannot be immediately returned to the child's parents or guardian, a comprehensive, individualized assessment shall be performed of that child at which time the needs of the child shall be determined. Only if race, color, or national origin is identified as a legitimate factor in advancing the child's best interests shall it be considered. Race, color, or national origin shall not be routinely considered in making a placement decision. The Department shall make special efforts for the diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the children for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed. "Special efforts" shall include contacting and working with community organizations and religious organizations and may include contracting with those organizations, utilizing local media and other local resources, and conducting outreach activities.

(c-1) At the time of placement, the Department shall consider concurrent planning, as described in subsection (l-1) of Section 5, so that permanency may occur at the earliest opportunity. Consideration should be given so that if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is the best available placement to provide permanency for the child. To the extent that doing so is in the child's best interests as set forth in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Department should consider placements that will permit the child to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child's parents.

(d) The Department may accept gifts, grants, offers of services, and other contributions to use in making special recruitment efforts.

(e) The Department in placing children in adoptive or foster care homes may not, in any policy or practice relating to the placement of children for adoption or foster care, discriminate against any child or prospective adoptive or foster parent on the basis of race.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5007.1)

Sec. 7.1. One Church One Child Advisory Board. There is created the One Church One Child Advisory Board to advise the Department in the placement of children by encouraging black churches to help find permanent homes for black children waiting to be adopted. The Advisory Board shall consist of 25 members appointed by the Governor, with at least one member representing each region of the State as determined by the Department. Members of the Advisory Board shall be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties as determined by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 87-1148.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.2)

Sec. 7.2. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-550, eff. 7-3-94. Repealed by P.A. 91-798, eff. 7-9-00.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.3)

Sec. 7.3. Placement plan. The Department shall develop and implement a written plan for placing children. The plan shall include at least the following features:

(1) A plan for recruiting minority adoptive and foster families. The plan shall include strategies for using existing resources in minority communities, use of minority outreach staff whenever possible, use of minority foster homes for placements after birth and before adoption, and other techniques as appropriate.

(2) A plan for training adoptive and foster families of minority children.

(3) A plan for employing social workers in adoption and foster care. The plan shall include staffing goals and objectives.

(4) A plan for ensuring that adoption and foster care workers attend training offered or approved by the Department regarding the State's goal of encouraging cultural diversity and the needs of special needs children.

(5) A plan that includes policies and procedures for determining for each child requiring placement outside of the child's home, and who cannot be immediately returned to the child's parents or guardian, the placement needs of that child. In the rare instance when an individualized assessment identifies, documents, and substantiates that race, color, or national origin is a factor that needs to be considered in advancing a particular child's best interests, it shall be considered in making a placement.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.3a)

Sec. 7.3a. Normalcy parenting for children in foster care; participation in childhood activities.

(a) Legislative findings.

(1) Every day parents make important decisions about their child's participation in extracurricular activities. Caregivers for children in out-of-home care are faced with making the same decisions.

(2) When a caregiver makes decisions, the caregiver must consider applicable laws, rules, and regulations to safeguard the health, safety, and best interests of a child in out-of-home care.

(3) Participation in extracurricular activities is important to a child's well-being, not only emotionally, but also in developing valuable life skills.

(4) The General Assembly recognizes the importance of making every effort to normalize the lives of children in out-of-home care and to empower a caregiver to approve or not approve a child's participation in appropriate extracurricular activities based on the caregiver's own assessment using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, without prior approval of the Department, the caseworker, or the court.

(5) Nothing in this Section shall be presumed to discourage or diminish the engagement of families and guardians in the child's life activities.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Appropriate activities" means activities or items that are generally accepted as suitable for children of the same chronological age or developmental level of maturity. Appropriateness is based on the development of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacity that is typical for an age or age group, taking into account the individual child's cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral development.

"Caregiver" means a person with whom the child is placed in out-of-home care or a designated official for child care facilities licensed by the Department as defined in the Child Care Act of 1969.

"Reasonable and prudent parent standard" means the standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the child's health, safety, and best interests while at the same time supporting the child's emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver shall use when determining whether to allow a child in out-of-home care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.

(c) Requirements for decision-making.

(1) Each child who comes into the care and custody of the Department is fully entitled to participate in appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities in a manner that allows that child to participate in the child's community to the fullest extent possible.

(2) Caregivers must use the reasonable and prudent parent standard in determining whether to give permission for a child in out-of-home care to participate in appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. Caregivers are expected to promote and support a child's participation in such activities. When using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, the caregiver shall consider:

(A) the child's age, maturity, and developmental level to promote the overall health, safety, and best interests of the child;

(B) the best interest of the child based on information known by the caregiver;

(C) the importance and fundamental value of encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth gained through participation in activities in the child's community;

(D) the importance and fundamental value of providing the child with the most family-like living experience possible; and

(E) the behavioral history of the child and the child's ability to safely participate in the proposed activity.

(3) A caregiver is not liable for harm caused to a child in out-of-home care who participates in an activity approved by the caregiver, provided that the caregiver has acted as a reasonable and prudent parent in permitting the child to engage in the activity.

(c-5) No youth in care shall be required to store the youth's belongings in plastic bags or in similar forms of disposable containers, including, but not limited to, trash bags, paper or plastic shopping bags, or pillow cases when relocating from one placement type to another placement type or when discharged from the custody or guardianship of the Department. The Department shall ensure that each youth in care has appropriate baggage and other items to store the youth's belongings when moving through the State's child welfare system. As used in this subsection, "purchase of service agency" means any entity that contracts with the Department to provide services that are consistent with the purposes of this Act.

(d) Rulemaking. The Department shall adopt, by rule, procedures no later than June 1, 2017 that promote and protect the ability of children to participate in appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.

(e) The Department shall ensure that every youth in care who is entering the youth's final year of high school has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, if applicable, or an application for State financial aid on or after October 1, but no later than November 1, of the youth's final year of high school.

(Source: P.A. 102-70, eff. 1-1-22; 102-545, eff. 1-1-22; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.3b)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 7.3b. Case plan requirements for hair-related needs of youth in care.

(a) Purposes. Hair plays an important role in fostering youths' connection to their race, culture, and identity. Haircare promotes positive messages of self-worth, comfort, and affection. Because these messages typically are developed through interactions with family and community members, it is necessary to establish a framework to ensure that youth in care are not deprived of these messages and that caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff are adequately prepared to provide culturally competent haircare for youth.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1) "Haircare" means all care related to the maintenance of hair, including, but not limited to, the daily maintenance routine, cutting, styling, or dying of hair.

(2) "Culture" means the norms, traditions, and experiences of a person's community that inform that person's daily life and long-term goals.

(3) "Identity" means the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one's sense of self. This amalgamation creates a steady sense of who one is over time, even as new facets are developed and incorporated into one's identity.

(c) Haircare plan. Every case plan shall include a Haircare Plan for each youth in care that is developed in consultation with the youth based upon the youth's developmental abilities, as well as with the youth's parents or caregivers or appropriate child care facility staff if not contrary to the youth's wishes, and that outlines any training or resources required by the caregiver or appropriate child care facility staff to meet the haircare needs of the youth. At a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address:

(1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to the youth's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity;

(2) necessary steps to be taken specific to the youth's haircare needs during emergency and health situations; and

(3) the desires of the youth as they pertain to the youth's haircare.

A youth's Haircare Plan must be reviewed at the same time as the case plan review required under Section 6a as well as during monthly visits to ensure compliance with the Haircare Plan and identify any needed changes.

(d) By June 1, 2025, the Department shall develop training and resources to make available for caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff to provide culturally competent haircare to youth in care.

(e) By June 1, 2025, the Department must adopt rules to facilitate the implementation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-850, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.4)

Sec. 7.4. Development and preservation of sibling relationships for children in care; placement of siblings; contact among siblings placed apart.

(a) Purpose and policy. The General Assembly recognizes that sibling relationships are unique and essential for a person, but even more so for children who are removed from the care of their families and placed in the State child welfare system. When family separation occurs through State intervention, every effort must be made to preserve, support, and nurture sibling relationships when doing so is in the best interest of each sibling. It is in the interests of foster children who are part of a sibling group to enjoy contact with one another, as long as the contact is in each child's best interest. This is true both while the siblings are in State care and after one or all of the siblings leave State care through adoption, guardianship, or aging out.

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:

(1) Whenever a best interest determination is required by this Section, the Department shall consider the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the Department's rules regarding Sibling Placement, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301.70, and Sibling Visitation, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301.220, and the Department's rules regarding Placement Selection Criteria, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301.60.

(2) "Adopted child" means a child who, immediately preceding the adoption, was in the custody or guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(3) "Adoptive parent" means a person who has become a parent through the legal process of adoption.

(4) "Child" means a person in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department who is under the age of 21.

(5) "Child placed in private guardianship" means a child who, immediately preceding the guardianship, was in the custody or guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(6) "Contact" may include, but is not limited to, visits, telephone calls, letters, sharing of photographs or information, e-mails, video conferencing, and other forms of communication or contact.

(7) "Legal guardian" means a person who has become the legal guardian of a child who, immediately prior to the guardianship, was in the custody or guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(8) "Parent" means the child's mother or father who is named as the respondent in proceedings conducted under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(9) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact" means contact between siblings following the entry of a Judgment Order for Adoption under Section 14 of the Adoption Act regarding at least one sibling or an Order for Guardianship appointing a private guardian under Section 2-27 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, regarding at least one sibling. Post Permanency Sibling Contact may include, but is not limited to, visits, telephone calls, letters, sharing of photographs or information, emails, video conferencing, and other forms of communication or connection agreed to by the parties to a Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement.

(10) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement" means a written agreement between the adoptive parent or parents, the child, and the child's sibling regarding post permanency contact between the adopted child and the child's sibling, or a written agreement between the legal guardians, the child, and the child's sibling regarding post permanency contact between the child placed in guardianship and the child's sibling. The Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement may specify the nature and frequency of contact between the adopted child or child placed in guardianship and the child's sibling following the entry of the Judgment Order for Adoption or Order for Private Guardianship. The Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement may be supported by services as specified in this Section. The Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement is voluntary on the part of the parties to the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement and is not a requirement for finalization of the child's adoption or guardianship. The Post Permanency Sibling Contract Agreement shall not be enforceable in any court of law or administrative forum and no cause of action shall be brought to enforce the Agreement. When entered into, the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement shall be placed in the child's Post Adoption or Guardianship case record and in the case file of a sibling who is a party to the agreement and who remains in the Department's custody or guardianship.

(11) "Sibling Contact Support Plan" means a written document that sets forth the plan for future contact between siblings who are in the Department's care and custody and residing separately. The goal of the Support Plan is to develop or preserve and nurture the siblings' relationships. The Support Plan shall set forth the role of the foster parents, caregivers, and others in implementing the Support Plan. The Support Plan must meet the minimum standards regarding frequency of in-person visits provided for in Department rule.

(12) "Siblings" means children who share at least one parent in common. This definition of siblings applies solely for purposes of placement and contact under this Section. For purposes of this Section, children who share at least one parent in common continue to be siblings after their parent's parental rights are terminated, if parental rights were terminated while a petition under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 was pending. For purposes of this Section, children who share at least one parent in common continue to be siblings after a sibling is adopted or placed in private guardianship when the adopted child or child placed in private guardianship was in the Department's custody or guardianship under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 immediately prior to the adoption or private guardianship. For children who have been in the guardianship of the Department under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, have been adopted, and are subsequently returned to the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, "siblings" includes a person who would have been considered a sibling prior to the adoption and siblings through adoption.

(c) No later than January 1, 2013, the Department shall promulgate rules addressing the development and preservation of sibling relationships. The rules shall address, at a minimum:

(1) Recruitment, licensing, and support of foster parents willing and capable of either fostering sibling groups or supporting and being actively involved in planning and executing sibling contact for siblings placed apart. The rules shall address training for foster parents, licensing workers, placement workers, and others as deemed necessary.

(2) Placement selection for children who are separated from their siblings and how to best promote placements of children with foster parents or programs that can meet the children's needs, including the need to develop and maintain contact with siblings.

(3) State-supported guidance to siblings who have aged out of State care regarding positive engagement with siblings.

(4) Implementation of Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements for children exiting State care, including services offered by the Department to encourage and assist parties in developing agreements, services offered by the Department post permanency to support parties in implementing and maintaining agreements, and including services offered by the Department post permanency to assist parties in amending agreements as necessary to meet the needs of the children.

(5) Services offered by the Department for children who exited foster care prior to the availability of Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements, to invite willing parties to participate in a facilitated discussion, including, but not limited to, a mediation or joint team decision-making meeting, to explore sibling contact.

(d) The Department shall develop a form to be provided to youth entering care and exiting care explaining their rights and responsibilities related to sibling visitation while in care and post permanency.

(e) Whenever a child enters care or requires a new placement, the Department shall consider the development and preservation of sibling relationships.

(1) This subsection applies when a child entering care or requiring a change of placement has siblings who are in the custody or guardianship of the Department. When a child enters care or requires a new placement, the Department shall examine its files and other available resources and determine whether a sibling of that child is in the custody or guardianship of the Department. If the Department determines that a sibling is in its custody or guardianship, the Department shall then determine whether it is in the best interests of each of the siblings for the child needing placement to be placed with the sibling. If the Department determines that it is in the best interest of each sibling to be placed together, and the sibling's foster parent is able and willing to care for the child needing placement, the Department shall place the child needing placement with the sibling. A determination that it is not in a child's best interest to be placed with a sibling shall be made in accordance with Department rules, and documented in the file of each sibling.

(2) This subsection applies when a child who is entering care has siblings who have been adopted or placed in private guardianship. When a child enters care, the Department shall examine its files and other available resources, including consulting with the child's parents, to determine whether a sibling of the child was adopted or placed in private guardianship from State care. The Department shall determine, in consultation with the child's parents, whether it would be in the child's best interests to explore placement with the adopted sibling or sibling in guardianship. Unless the parent objects, if the Department determines it is in the child's best interest to explore the placement, the Department shall contact the adoptive parents or guardians of the sibling, determine whether they are willing to be considered as placement resources for the child, and, if so, determine whether it is in the best interests of the child to be placed in the home with the sibling. If the Department determines that it is in the child's best interests to be placed in the home with the sibling, and the sibling's adoptive parents or guardians are willing and capable, the Department shall make the placement. A determination that it is not in a child's best interest to be placed with a sibling shall be made in accordance with Department rule, and documented in the child's file.

(3) This subsection applies when a child in Department custody or guardianship requires a change of placement, and the child has siblings who have been adopted or placed in private guardianship. When a child in care requires a new placement, the Department may consider placing the child with the adoptive parent or guardian of a sibling under the same procedures and standards set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(4) When the Department determines it is not in the best interest of one or more siblings to be placed together the Department shall ensure that the child requiring placement is placed in a home or program where the caregiver is willing and able to be actively involved in supporting the sibling relationship to the extent doing so is in the child's best interest.

(f) When siblings in care are placed in separate placements, the Department shall develop a Sibling Contact Support Plan. The Department shall convene a meeting to develop the Support Plan. The meeting shall include, at a minimum, the case managers for the siblings, the foster parents or other care providers if a child is in a non-foster home placement and the child, when developmentally and clinically appropriate. The Department shall make all reasonable efforts to promote the participation of the foster parents. Parents whose parental rights are intact shall be invited to the meeting. Others, such as therapists and mentors, shall be invited as appropriate. The Support Plan shall set forth future contact and visits between the siblings to develop or preserve, and nurture the siblings' relationships. The Support Plan shall set forth the role of the foster parents and caregivers and others in implementing the Support Plan. The Support Plan must meet the minimum standards regarding frequency of in-person visits provided for in Department rule. The Support Plan will be incorporated in the child's service plan and reviewed at each administrative case review. The Support Plan should be modified if one of the children moves to a new placement, or as necessary to meet the needs of the children. The Sibling Contact Support Plan for a child in care may include siblings who are not in the care of the Department, with the consent and participation of that child's parent or guardian.

(g) By January 1, 2013, the Department shall develop a registry so that placement information regarding adopted siblings and siblings in private guardianship is readily available to Department and private agency caseworkers responsible for placing children in the Department's care. When a child is adopted or placed in private guardianship from foster care the Department shall inform the adoptive parents or guardians that they may be contacted in the future regarding placement of or contact with siblings subsequently requiring placement.

(h) When a child is in need of an adoptive placement, the Department shall examine its files and other available resources and attempt to determine whether a sibling of the child has been adopted or placed in private guardianship after being in the Department's custody or guardianship. If the Department determines that a sibling of the child has been adopted or placed in private guardianship, the Department shall make a good faith effort to locate the adoptive parents or guardians of the sibling and inform them of the availability of the child for adoption. The Department may determine not to inform the adoptive parents or guardians of a sibling of a child that the child is available for adoption only for a reason permitted under criteria adopted by the Department by rule, and documented in the child's case file. If a child available for adoption has a sibling who has been adopted or placed in guardianship, and the adoptive parents or guardians of that sibling apply to adopt the child, the Department shall consider them as adoptive applicants for the adoption of the child. The Department's final decision as to whether it will consent to the adoptive parents or guardians of a sibling being the adoptive parents of the child shall be based upon the welfare and best interest of the child. In arriving at its decision, the Department shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

(1) the wishes of the child;

(2) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the applicant to adopt the child;

(3) the child's need for stability and continuity of relationship with parent figures;

(4) the child's adjustment to the child's present home, school, and community;

(5) the mental and physical health of all individuals involved;

(6) the family ties between the child and the child's relatives, including siblings;

(7) the background, age, and living arrangements of the applicant to adopt the child;

(8) a criminal background report of the applicant to adopt the child.

If placement of the child available for adoption with the adopted sibling or sibling in private guardianship is not feasible, but it is in the child's best interest to develop a relationship with the child's sibling, the Department shall invite the adoptive parents, guardian, or guardians for a mediation or joint team decision-making meeting to facilitate a discussion regarding future sibling contact.

(i) Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. When a child in the Department's care has a permanency goal of adoption or private guardianship, and the Department is preparing to finalize the adoption or guardianship, the Department shall convene a meeting with the pre-adoptive parent or prospective guardian and the case manager for the child being adopted or placed in guardianship and the foster parents and case managers for the child's siblings, and others as applicable. The children should participate as is developmentally appropriate. Others, such as therapists and mentors, may participate as appropriate. At the meeting the Department shall encourage the parties to discuss sibling contact post permanency. The Department may assist the parties in drafting a Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement.

(1) Parties to the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement shall include:

(A) The adoptive parent or parents or guardian.

(B) The child's sibling or siblings, parents, or guardians.

(C) The child.

(2) Consent of child 14 and over. The written consent of a child age 14 and over to the terms and conditions of the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement and subsequent modifications is required.

(3) In developing this Agreement, the Department shall encourage the parties to consider the following factors:

(A) the physical and emotional safety and welfare of the child;

(B) the child's wishes;

(C) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child's sibling or siblings who would be visiting or communicating with the child, including:

(i) the quality of the relationship between the child and the sibling or siblings, and

(ii) the benefits and potential harms to the child in allowing the relationship or relationships to continue or in ending them;

(D) the child's sense of attachments to the birth sibling or siblings and adoptive family, including:

(i) the child's sense of being valued;

(ii) the child's sense of familiarity; and

(iii) continuity of affection for the child; and

(E) other factors relevant to the best interest of the child.

(4) In considering the factors in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Department shall encourage the parties to recognize the importance to a child of developing a relationship with siblings including siblings with whom the child does not yet have a relationship; and the value of preserving family ties between the child and the child's siblings, including:

(A) the child's need for stability and continuity of relationships with siblings, and

(B) the importance of sibling contact in the development of the child's identity.

(5) Modification or termination of Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. The parties to the agreement may modify or terminate the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. If the parties cannot agree to modification or termination, they may request the assistance of the Department of Children and Family Services or another agency identified and agreed upon by the parties to the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. Any and all terms may be modified by agreement of the parties. Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements may also be modified to include contact with siblings whose whereabouts were unknown or who had not yet been born when the Judgment Order for Adoption or Order for Private Guardianship was entered.

(6) Adoptions and private guardianships finalized prior to August 24, 2012 (the effective date of Public Act 97-1076). Nothing in this Section prohibits the parties from entering into a Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement if the adoption or private guardianship was finalized prior to the effective date of this Section. If the Agreement is completed and signed by the parties, the Department shall include the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement in the child's Post Adoption or Private Guardianship case record and in the case file of siblings who are parties to the agreement who are in the Department's custody or guardianship.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.5)

Sec. 7.5. Search and reunion services for youth in care and former youth in care.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "search and reunion services" means:

(1) services provided by the Department to facilitate contact between adoptees and their siblings when one or more is still in the Department's care or adopted elsewhere, with the notarized consent of the adoptive parents of a minor child, when such contact has been established to be necessary to the adoptee's best interests and when all involved parties, including the adoptive parent of a former youth in care under 18 years of age, have provided written consent for such contact;

(2) services provided by the Department to facilitate contact between current or former youth in care, over the age of 18, including, but not limited to, youth who were adopted, to facilitate contact with siblings, birth relatives, former foster parents, or former foster siblings.

(b) The Department shall provide to all adoptive parents of children receiving monthly adoption assistance under subsection (j) of Section 5 of this Act a notice that includes a description of the Department's post-adoption reunion services and an explanation of how to access those services. The notice to adoptive parents shall be provided at least once per year until such time as the adoption assistance payments cease.

(b-5) The Department shall provide a notice that includes a description of the Department's search and reunion services and an explanation of how to access those services to each person who is a youth in care within 30 days after the youth's 18th birthday and within 30 days prior to closure of the youth's case pending under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 if the case is closing after the youth's 18th birthday. The Department shall work with organizations, such as the Foster Care Alumni of America Illinois Chapter, that have contact with foster care alumni, to distribute information about the Department's search and reunion services.

(c) The Department shall adopt a rule regarding the provision of search and reunion services to youth in care and former youth in care.

(Source: P.A. 102-825, eff. 7-1-23; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.7)

Sec. 7.7. Limit on multiple placements. If the Department has placed a child in substitute care pursuant to a court order, the Department may not change the child's placement unless the Department specifically documents that the current placement is unsafe or unsuitable or that another placement is in the child's best interests or unless the new placement is in an adoptive home or other permanent placement.

(Source: P.A. 89-422; 90-28, eff. 1-1-98.)

(20 ILCS 505/7.8)

Sec. 7.8. Home safety checklist; aftercare services; immunization checks.

(a) As used in this Section, "purchase of service agency" means any entity that contracts with the Department to provide services that are consistent with the purposes of this Act.

(b) Whenever a child is placed in the custody or guardianship of the Department or a child is returned to the custody of a parent or guardian and the court retains jurisdiction of the case, the Department must ensure that the child is up to date on the child's well-child visits, including age-appropriate immunizations, or that there is a documented religious or medical reason the child did not receive the immunizations.

(c) Whenever a child has been placed in foster or substitute care by court order and the court later determines that the child can return to the custody of the child's parent or guardian, the Department must complete, prior to the child's discharge from foster or substitute care, a home safety checklist to ensure that the conditions of the child's home are sufficient to ensure the child's safety and well-being, as defined in Department rules and procedures. At a minimum, the home safety checklist shall be completed within 24 hours prior to the child's return home and completed again or recertified in the absence of any environmental barriers or hazards within 5 working days after a child is returned home and every month thereafter until the child's case is closed pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The home safety checklist shall include a certification that there are no environmental barriers or hazards to prevent returning the child home.

(d) When a court determines that a child should return to the custody or guardianship of a parent or guardian, any aftercare services provided to the child and the child's family by the Department or a purchase of service agency shall commence on the date upon which the child is returned to the custody or guardianship of the child's parent or guardian. If children are returned to the custody of a parent at different times, the Department or purchase of service agency shall provide a minimum of 6 months of aftercare services to each child commencing on the date each individual child is returned home.

(e) One year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Auditor General shall commence a performance audit of the Department of Children and Family Services to determine whether the Department is meeting the requirements of this Section. Within 2 years after the audit's release, the Auditor General shall commence a follow-up performance audit to determine whether the Department has implemented the recommendations contained in the initial performance audit. Upon completion of each audit, the Auditor General shall report its findings to the General Assembly. The Auditor General's reports shall include any issues or deficiencies and recommendations. The audits required by this Section shall be in accordance with and subject to the Illinois State Auditing Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/8) (from Ch. 23, par. 5008)

Sec. 8. Scholarships and fee waivers; tuition waiver.

(a) Each year the Department shall select a minimum of 53 students (at least 4 of whom shall be children of veterans) to receive scholarships and fee waivers which will enable them to attend and complete their post-secondary education at a community college, university, or college. Youth shall be selected from among the youth for whom the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility, youth who aged out of care at age 18 or older, or youth formerly under care who have been adopted or who have been placed in private guardianship. Recipients must have earned a high school diploma from an accredited institution or a State of Illinois High School Diploma or have met the State criteria for high school graduation before the start of the school year for which they are applying for the scholarship and waiver. Scholarships and fee waivers shall be available to students for at least 5 years, provided they are continuing to work toward graduation and completion of a certificate or degree program. Unused scholarship dollars and fee waivers shall be reallocated to new recipients. No later than January 1, 2015, the Department shall promulgate rules identifying the criteria for "continuing to work toward graduation" and for reallocating unused scholarships and fee waivers. Selection shall be made on the basis of several factors, including, but not limited to, scholastic record, aptitude, and general interest in higher education. The selection committee shall include at least 2 individuals formerly under the care of the Department who have completed their post-secondary education. In accordance with this Act, tuition scholarships and fee waivers shall be available to such students at any university or college maintained by the State of Illinois. The Department shall provide maintenance and school expenses, except tuition and fees, during the academic years to supplement the students' earnings or other resources so long as they consistently maintain scholastic records which are acceptable to their schools and to the Department. Students may attend other colleges and universities, if scholarships are awarded to them, and receive the same benefits for maintenance and other expenses as those students attending any Illinois State community college, university, or college under this Section. Beginning with recipients receiving scholarships and waivers in August 2014, the Department shall collect data and report annually to the General Assembly on measures of success, including (i) the number of youth applying for and receiving scholarships or waivers, (ii) the percentage of scholarship or waiver recipients who complete their college or university degree within 5 years, (iii) the average length of time it takes for scholarship or waiver recipients to complete their college or university degree, (iv) the reasons that scholarship or waiver recipients are discharged or fail to complete their college or university degree, (v) when available, youths' outcomes 5 years and 10 years after being awarded the scholarships or waivers, and (vi) budget allocations for maintenance and school expenses incurred by the Department.

(b) Youth shall receive a tuition and fee waiver to assist them in attending and completing their post-secondary education at any community college, university, or college maintained by the State of Illinois if they are youth for whom the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility, youth who aged out of care at age 18 or older, or youth formerly under care who have been adopted and were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement or who have been placed in private guardianship and were the subject of a subsidized guardianship agreement.

To receive a waiver under this subsection, an applicant must:

(1) have earned a high school diploma from an accredited institution or a State of Illinois High School Diploma or have met the State criteria for high school graduation before the start of the school year for which the applicant is applying for the waiver;

(2) enroll in a qualifying post-secondary education before the applicant reaches the age of 26; and

(3) apply for federal and State grant assistance by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The community college or public university that an applicant attends must waive any tuition and fee amounts that exceed the amounts paid to the applicant under the State's Monetary Award Program.

Tuition and fee waivers shall be available to a student for at least the first 5 years the student is enrolled in a community college, university, or college maintained by the State of Illinois so long as the student continues to work toward graduation and completion of a certificate or degree program. The age requirement and 5-year cap on tuition and fee waivers under this subsection shall be waived and eligibility for tuition and fee waivers shall be extended for any applicant or student who the Department determines was unable to enroll in a qualifying post-secondary school or complete an academic term because the applicant or student: (i) was called into active duty with the United States Armed Forces; (ii) was deployed for service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; or (iii) volunteered in the Peace Corps or the AmeriCorps. The Department shall extend eligibility for a qualifying applicant or student by the total number of months or years during which the applicant or student served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces, was deployed for service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, or volunteered in the Peace Corps or the AmeriCorps. The number of months an applicant or student served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of time to extend eligibility for the applicant or student.

The Department may provide the student with a stipend to cover maintenance and school expenses, except tuition and fees, during the academic years to supplement the student's earnings or other resources so long as the student consistently maintains scholastic records which are acceptable to the student's school and to the Department.

The Department shall develop outreach programs to ensure that youths who qualify for the tuition and fee waivers under this subsection who are high school students in grades 9 through 12 or who are enrolled in a high school equivalency testing program are aware of the availability of the tuition and fee waivers.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall provide eligible youth an apprenticeship stipend to cover those costs associated with entering and sustaining through completion an apprenticeship, including, but not limited to fees, tuition for classes, work clothes, rain gear, boots, and occupation-specific tools. The following youth may be eligible for the apprenticeship stipend provided under this subsection: youth for whom the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility; youth who aged out of care at age 18 or older; or youth formerly under care who have been adopted and were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement or who have been placed in private guardianship and were the subject of a subsidized guardianship agreement.

To receive a stipend under this subsection, an applicant must:

(1) be enrolled in an apprenticeship training program approved or recognized by the Illinois Department of Employment Security or an apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor;

(2) not be a recipient of a scholarship or fee waiver under subsection (a) or (b); and

(3) be under the age of 26 before enrolling in a qualified apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship stipends shall be available to an eligible youth for a maximum of 5 years after the youth enrolls in a qualifying apprenticeship program so long as the youth makes satisfactory progress toward completing the youth's apprenticeship. The age requirement and 5-year cap on the apprenticeship stipend provided under this subsection shall be extended for any applicant who the Department determines was unable to enroll in a qualifying apprenticeship program because the applicant: (i) was called into active duty with the United States Armed Forces; (ii) was deployed for service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; or (iii) volunteered in the Peace Corps or the AmeriCorps. The Department shall extend eligibility for a qualifying applicant by the total number of months or years during which the applicant served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces, was deployed for service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, or volunteered in the Peace Corps or the AmeriCorps. The number of months an applicant served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of time to extend eligibility for the applicant.

The Department shall develop outreach programs to ensure that youths who qualify for the apprenticeship stipends under this subsection who are high school students in grades 9 through 12 or who are enrolled in a high school equivalency testing program are aware of the availability of the apprenticeship stipend.

(Source: P.A. 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-943, eff. 8-9-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/8a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5008a)

Sec. 8a. No otherwise qualified child with a disability receiving special education and related services under Article 14 of The School Code shall solely by reason of the child's disability be excluded from the participation in or be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by the Department.

The Department, or its authorized agent, shall ensure that a copy of a student's then current individualized education program (IEP) is provided to the school district in which the student is newly placed by the Department. Upon receipt of the IEP, the new school district shall review it and place the student in a special education program in accordance with that described in the IEP. The Department shall consult with the State Board of Education in the development of necessary rules and regulations to implement this provision.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/8b) (from Ch. 23, par. 5008b)

Sec. 8b. No homeless person eligible to receive benefits or services from the Department shall, by reason of the homeless person's status as a homeless person, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits under or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/8.1)

Sec. 8.1. Foster Youth Summer Internship Pilot Program.

(a) The Department shall adopt rules on the development and implementation of a Foster Youth Summer Internship Pilot Program for the purpose of providing foster youth with professional training and experience through internships. The Department may collaborate with other appropriate State agencies to establish the pilot program.

(b) The Department shall adopt rules on the application process and eligibility requirements under the pilot program, which shall include, but not be limited to, a rule establishing that individuals who are at least 15 years old and are current or former foster youth are eligible to participate in the pilot program.

(c) The Department shall adopt rules to use the request-for-proposal process set forth in the Illinois Procurement Code when soliciting and entering into contractual agreements with organizations wanting to award internships under the pilot program.

(d) The pilot program may be established in multiple regions of the State.

(e) Internships provided under the pilot program may be paid or unpaid.

(f) Subject to appropriations, beginning January 1, 2016, the Department shall implement the pilot program. The pilot program shall operate for a 2-year period. At the end of that 2-year period, the Department shall evaluate the pilot program and submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of foster youth who participated in the pilot program; (ii) the location and type of internships provided under the pilot program; and (3) the Department's efforts to recruit eligible individuals to participate in the pilot program. The report shall state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program, using performance metrics to explain the rationale for its decision.

(Source: P.A. 99-285, eff. 8-5-15.)

(20 ILCS 505/9) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009)

Sec. 9. To exercise executive and administrative supervision over all institutions, divisions, programs and services now existing or hereafter acquired or created under the jurisdiction of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 83-180.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.1)

Sec. 9.1. The Department shall adopt rules no later than January 1, 2026 regarding referral of Title IV-E foster care maintenance cases to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for child support enforcement services under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. It is the policy of the State that in order to preserve the financial security of a child's parent seeking reunification, the Department will not refer cases for child support enforcement services or seek an assignment of rights of child support regarding any child prior to the permanency goal of return home being ruled out by the court in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department may refer cases for child support enforcement services, consistent with rules, after the permanency goal of return home has been ruled out by the court in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall adopt rules by January 1, 2026 establishing additional policies or criteria to consider to ensure compliance with this Section and federal law regarding referral for child support enforcement or assignment of rights of child support for children where a return home goal has been ruled out in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall consider "good cause" as defined in regulations promulgated under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, among other criteria, when determining whether to refer a case and, upon referral, the parent or guardian of a child who is receiving Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments shall be deemed to have made an assignment to the Department of any and all rights, title and interest in any support obligation on behalf of a child. The rights to support assigned to the Department shall constitute an obligation owed the State by the person who is responsible for providing the support, and shall be collectible under all applicable processes.

The acceptance of children for services or care shall not be limited or conditioned in any manner on the financial status or ability of parents or guardians to make such payments.

(Source: P.A. 103-984, eff. 8-9-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.2)

Sec. 9.2. The Department shall have authority to enter into agreements with units of local government or individuals with the approval of the Attorney General, for the collection of monies owing because of the failure of parents or guardians to pay charges to the Department for the care and training of their children. Such agreements may be on a contingent fee basis, but such contingent fee shall not exceed 20% of the total amount collected.

The Department may also enter into agreements with local governmental units to exercise the investigative and enforcement powers designated in Section 9.8.

(Source: P.A. 86-659.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.3) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.3)

Sec. 9.3. Declarations by parents and guardians. Information requested of parents and guardians shall be submitted on forms or questionnaires prescribed by the Department or units of local government as the case may be and shall contain a written declaration to be signed by the parent or guardian in substantially the following form:

"I declare under penalties of perjury that I have examined this form or questionnaire and all accompanying statements or documents pertaining to my income, or any other matter having bearing upon my status and ability to provide payment for care and training of my child, and to the best of my knowledge and belief the information supplied is true, correct, and complete".

A person who makes and subscribes a form or questionnaire which contains, as herein above provided, a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury, knowing it to be false, incorrect or incomplete, in respect to any material statement or representative bearing upon the parent's or guardian's status as a parent or guardian, or upon the parent's or guardian's income, resources, or other matter concerning the parent's or guardian's ability to provide parental payment, shall be subject to the penalties for perjury provided for in Section 32-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

Parents who refuse to provide such information after three written requests from the Department will be liable to the extent liability is consistent with the standards and rules described in Section 9.1.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-984, eff. 8-9-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.4)

Sec. 9.4. Investigation and Determination. The Department shall review the forms or questionnaires returned by each parent or guardian and supplement the information provided therein, where required, by such additional consultations with the parent or guardian and such other investigations as may be necessary and, applying the standard and regulations established by the Department, shall determine whether and the extent to which, the parent or guardian individually or together in any combination, are reasonably able to provide parental payment for care and training of their children.

The Department, by rule, may conduct periodic or other reinvestigations and redeterminations of the financial ability of parents or guardians. Any redeterminations shall have the effect of altering, amending, or modifying previous determinations. However, any redetermination which established liability for parental payment of reimbursement, or which increases the support or reimbursement liability specified in a prior order, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.9 in the administrative and judicial review procedures herein provided for original orders.

(Source: P.A. 83-1037.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.5) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.5)

Sec. 9.5. Notice of parental payments due. When the Department has determined that a parent or guardian is liable for payment for care and support of the parent's or guardian's children, the parent or guardian shall be notified by mailing the parent or guardian a copy of the determination by mail, advising the parent or guardian of the parent's or guardian's legal obligation to make payments for such period or periods of time, definite in duration or indefinite, as the circumstances required. The notice shall direct payment as provided in Section 9.6.

Within 30 days after receipt of a payment notice, the parents may appeal the assessment amount if the data used in determining the amount is inaccurate or incomplete. Parents may also appeal the assessment at any time on the basis of changes in their circumstances which render inaccurate information on which the assessment is based. If the changes requested in a parental appeal are granted, the Department may modify its assessment retroactively to the appropriate date and adjust any amount in arrears accordingly.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.6) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.6)

Sec. 9.6. Parental Payments. The notice to responsible parents and guardians issued pursuant to Section 9.5 shall direct payment to the Department, as provided by regulation.

Fifty percent of payments by parents and guardians to the Department may be used for payment of collection fees or contingency fees and for services provided by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 83-1037.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.7) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.7)

Sec. 9.7. Alternative Actions to Enforce Parental Payments Due. If a responsible parent or guardian fails or refuses to make parental payments for care and training of their children, or contributes less than the amount indicated by the determination, the Department shall take action to enforce support in accordance with Section 9.8 of this Act.

An annual interest rate equal to the prime commercial rate of interest plus 3% will be assessed and payable on all amounts more than 60 days past due. For the purposes of this Section, "prime commercial rate" means such prime rate as from time to time is publicly announced by the largest commercial banking institution located in this State, measured in terms of total assets.

(Source: P.A. 83-1037.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.8) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.8)

Sec. 9.8. Court Enforcement. The Department shall refer to the State's Attorney, Attorney General, or to the proper legal representative of the unit of government or private agency, for judicial enforcement as herein provided, instances of failure to make parental payments as required by law. Action shall be brought in the circuit court to obtain parental payments and the recovery of such payments may be taken separately or they may be consolidated with actions to obtain other child support. Such actions may be brought in the name of the child receiving care and training, or may be brought in the name of the Department or the unit of local government, as the case requires, in behalf of such persons.

The court may enter orders for the payment of monies for the care and training of the children as may be just and equitable and may direct payment thereof for such period or periods of time as the circumstances require. The order may be entered against the parents or guardians and shall be based upon the standard determined under Section 9.1 or an amount determined by the court to reflect the ability to contribute to the care and training of their children provided by the Department.

When an order is entered for the parental payment for care and training of the child, and the parent or guardian willfully refuses to comply with its enforcement, the parent or guardian may be declared in contempt of court and punished therefor.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.8a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.8a)

Sec. 9.8a. Child Welfare Litigation Division. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Litigation Division in the Office of the Attorney General shall represent the State in, and defend on the State's behalf, all court actions referred to it by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under this Act, the Child Care Act of 1969, and other laws for the enforcement and defense of all legal proceedings. The Division shall be funded by an appropriation to the Department of Children and Family Services and shall be staffed with attorneys appointed by the Attorney General as Special Assistant Attorneys General whose special duty it shall be to execute the duties described in this paragraph. The Special Assistant Attorneys General shall be assigned exclusively to those duties and may engage only in political activities that are not prohibited by the federal Hatch Political Activity Act.

(Source: P.A. 87-1017.)

(20 ILCS 505/9.9) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.9)

Sec. 9.9. Review under Administrative Review Law. Any responsible parent or guardian affected by a final administrative decision of the Department in a hearing, conducted pursuant to this Act, may have the decision reviewed only under and in accordance with the Administrative Review Law as amended. The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of such final administrative decisions of the Department. The term "administrative decision", is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Review of a final administrative decision under the Administrative Review Law is not applicable to a decision to conduct a family assessment as provided under subsection (a-5) of Section 7.4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act because no determination concerning child abuse or neglect is made and nothing is reported to the central register.

Appeals from all final orders and judgments entered by a court upon review of the Department's orders in any case may be taken by either party to the proceeding and shall be governed by the rules applicable to appeals in civil cases.

The remedy herein provided for appeal shall be exclusive, and no court shall have jurisdiction to review the subject matter of any order made by the Department except as herein provided.

(Source: P.A. 96-760, eff. 1-1-10.)

(20 ILCS 505/10) (from Ch. 23, par. 5010)

Sec. 10. To establish and operate in the regions of the State additional shelter care or group care facilities.

(Source: P.A. 83-180.)

(20 ILCS 505/11) (from Ch. 23, par. 5011)

Sec. 11. To appoint and remove the superintendents of the institutions operated by the Department, to obtain all other employees subject to the provisions of the "Personnel Code", and to conduct staff training programs for the development and improvement of services.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/11.1)

Sec. 11.1. Department employees; restrictions. No person may be employed by the Department who has been declared a sexually dangerous person under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act or convicted of committing or attempting to commit any of the offenses described in subsection (b) of Section 4.2 of the Child Care Act of 1969.

(Source: P.A. 97-103, eff. 7-14-11.)

(20 ILCS 505/12) (from Ch. 23, par. 5012)

Sec. 12. (a) To provide supervision, housing accommodations, board or the payment of boarding costs, tuition, and treatment free of charge, except as otherwise specified in this Act, for residents of this State who are cared for in any institution, or for persons receiving services under any program under the jurisdiction of the Department. Residents of other states may be admitted upon payment of the costs of board, tuition, and treatment as determined by the Department; provided, that no resident of another state shall be received or retained to the exclusion of any resident of this State. The Department shall accept any donation for the board, tuition, and treatment of any person receiving service or care.

(b) To make room and board payments to persons providing foster care under this Act at a rate for each child that is up to 100% of the adjusted United States Department of Agriculture Cost of Raising a Child in the Urban Midwest/Low Cost Index.

By March 1, 2010 and March 1 of each year thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall report to the Governor and General Assembly the estimated cost and additional funding required to establish the rate for each child up to 100% of the Foster Care Minimum Adequate Rates for Children (MARC) for expenditures allowable under the federal Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance Program of the Social Security Act related to the actual costs of providing food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, personal incidentals, and insurance, jointly recommended by the National Foster Parent Association, the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and the organization Children's Rights in a technical report entitled "Hitting the M.A.R.C.: Establishing Foster Care Minimum Adequate Rates for Children", dated October 2007.

(Source: P.A. 96-247, eff. 8-11-09.)

(20 ILCS 505/12.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5012.1)

Sec. 12.1. To cooperate with the State Board of Education and the Department of Human Services in a program to provide for the placement, supervision and foster care of children with disabilities who must leave their home community in order to attend schools offering programs in special education.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(20 ILCS 505/12.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5012.2)

Sec. 12.2. To cooperate with the Department of Human Services in any programs or projects regarding the care and education of children with disabilities, particularly in relation to the institutions under the administration of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(20 ILCS 505/17) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017)

Sec. 17. Youth and Community Services Program. The Department of Human Services shall develop a State program for youth and community services which will assure that youth who come into contact or may come into contact with either the child welfare system or the juvenile justice system will have access to needed community, prevention, diversion, emergency, and independent living services. The term "youth" means a person under the age of 19 years. The term "homeless youth" means a youth who cannot be reunited with the youth's family and is not in a safe and stable living situation. This Section shall not be construed to require the Department of Human Services to provide services under this Section to any homeless youth who is at least 18 years of age but is younger than 19 years of age; however, the Department may, in its discretion, provide services under this Section to any such homeless youth.

(a) The goals of the program shall be to:

(1) maintain children and youths in their own community;

(2) eliminate unnecessary categorical funding of programs by funding more comprehensive and integrated programs;

(3) encourage local volunteers and voluntary associations in developing programs aimed at preventing and controlling juvenile delinquency;

(4) address voids in services and close service gaps;

(5) develop program models aimed at strengthening the relationships between youth and their families and aimed at developing healthy, independent lives for homeless youth;

(6) contain costs by redirecting funding to more comprehensive and integrated community-based services; and

(7) coordinate education, employment, training and other programs for youths with other State agencies.

(b) The duties of the Department under the program shall be to:

(1) design models for service delivery by local communities;

(2) test alternative systems for delivering youth services;

(3) develop standards necessary to achieve and maintain, on a statewide basis, more comprehensive and integrated community-based youth services;

(4) monitor and provide technical assistance to local boards and local service systems;

(5) assist local organizations in developing programs which address the problems of youths and their families through direct services, advocacy with institutions, and improvement of local conditions;

(6) (blank); and

(7) establish temporary emergency placements for youth in crisis as defined by the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Team through comprehensive community-based youth services provider grants.

(A) Temporary emergency placements:

(i) must be licensed through the Department of Children and Family Services or, in the case of a foster home or host home, by the supervising child welfare agency;

(ii) must be strategically situated to meet regional need and minimize geographic disruption in consultation with the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Officer and the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Team; and

(iii) shall include Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program host homes, foster homes, homeless youth shelters, Department of Children and Family Services youth shelters, or other licensed placements for minor youth compliant with the Child Care Act of 1969 provided under the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program.

(B) Beginning on August 11, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-546), once sufficient capacity has been developed, temporary emergency placements must also include temporary emergency placement shelters provided under the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program. Temporary emergency placement shelters shall be managed by Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services provider organizations and shall be available to house youth receiving interim 24/7 crisis intervention services as defined by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program grant and the Department, and shall provide access to clinical supports for youth while staying at the shelter.

(C) Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services organizations shall retain the sole authority to place youth in host homes and temporary emergency placement shelters provided under the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program.

(D) Crisis youth, as defined by the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Team, shall be prioritized in temporary emergency placements.

(E) Additional placement options may be authorized for crisis and non-crisis program youth with the permission of the youth's parent or legal guardian.

(F) While in a temporary emergency placement, the organization shall work with the parent, guardian, or custodian to effectuate the youth's return home or to an alternative long-term living arrangement. As necessary, the agency or association shall also work with the youth's local school district, the Department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Juvenile Justice to identify immediate and long-term services, treatment, or placement.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed or applied in a manner that would conflict with, diminish, or infringe upon, any State agency's obligation to comply fully with requirements imposed under a court order or State or federal consent decree applicable to that agency.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-1)

Sec. 17a-1. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97. Repealed by P.A. 91-798, eff. 7-9-00.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-2)

Sec. 17a-2. Local boards and service systems; Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate regulations for the establishment and recognition of service areas and local boards or local service systems responsible for the development or coordination of more comprehensive and integrated community-based youth services. Such service areas, local boards and local service systems shall be reviewed every 4 years. Any entity formed in conformity with the regulations of the Department desiring recognition as a local board or local service system for a service area may apply to the Department for such recognition. The Department may refuse to renew or may withdraw recognition of a service area, local board or local service system if such area, board or system substantially fails to comply with the regulations and minimum service requirements promulgated by the Department under this Section. The Department shall assist in the organization and establishment of local service systems and may provide for community youth services in any area of the State where no recognized local board or local services system exists.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-3) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-3)

Sec. 17a-3. Annual community youth service plan; Department of Human Services. Each local board or local service system shall, in conformity with regulations of the Department of Human Services, prepare an annual community youth service plan and annual budget to implement the community youth service plan. Such plans shall be transmitted to the regional youth planning committees and included in a regional youth service plan. Each plan shall demonstrate, at a minimum, the following components of a youth service system: (a) community needs assessment and resource development; (b) case management (including case review, tracking, service evaluation and networking); (c) accountability; (d) staff development; (e) consultation with and technical assistance for providers; and (f) assurance of the availability of the following: (i) community services, including primary prevention, outreach and recreational opportunities, and the use of indigenous community volunteers to provide programs designed to correct conditions contributing to delinquency; (ii) diversion services, including client advocacy, family counseling, employment and educational assistance and service brokerage; (iii) emergency services, including 24-hours crisis intervention and shelter care; (iv) comprehensive independent living services, including outreach, referral for public assistance or other benefits to which homeless youth may be entitled, emergency shelter care homes, transitional support programs in a residential setting, outward bound experiences and transitional independent living skills support, in a non-residential facility, with special emphasis on youth employment and training opportunities; and (v) mental health services. Each component of the annual community youth service plan shall expressly address the following high-risk populations: homeless youth, pregnant youth and youth who are parents.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-4)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 17a-4. Grants for community-based youth services; Department of Human Services.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall make grants for the purpose of planning, establishing, operating, coordinating and evaluating programs aimed at reducing or eliminating the involvement of youth in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. The programs shall include those providing for more comprehensive and integrated community-based youth services including Unified Delinquency Intervention Services programs and for community services programs. The Department may authorize advance disbursement of funds for such youth services programs. When the appropriation for "comprehensive community-based service to youth" is equal to or exceeds $5,000,000, the Department shall allocate the total amount of such appropriated funds in the following manner:

(1) no more than 20% of the grant funds appropriated shall be awarded by the Department for new program development and innovation;

(2) not less than 80% of grant funds appropriated shall be allocated to community-based youth services programs based upon population of youth under 18 years of age and other demographic variables defined by the Department of Human Services by rule, which may include weighting for service priorities relating to special needs identified in the annual plans of the regional youth planning committees established under this Act;

(3) if any amount so allocated under paragraph (2) of this subsection (a) remains unobligated such funds shall be reallocated in a manner equitable and consistent with the purpose of paragraph (2) of this subsection (a); and

(4) the local boards or local service systems shall certify prior to receipt of grant funds from the Department of Human Services that a 10% local public or private financial or in-kind commitment is allocated to supplement the State grant.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision in this Act or rules promulgated under this Act to the contrary, unless expressly prohibited by federal law or regulation, all individuals, corporations, or other entities that provide medical or mental health services, whether organized as for-profit or not-for-profit entities, shall be eligible for consideration by the Department of Human Services to participate in any program funded or administered by the Department. This subsection shall not apply to the receipt of federal funds administered and transferred by the Department for services when the federal government has specifically provided that those funds may be received only by those entities organized as not-for-profit entities.

(Source: P.A. 89-392, eff. 8-20-95; 89-507, eff. 7-1-97; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 17a-4. Grants for community-based youth services; Department of Human Services.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall make grants for the purpose of planning, establishing, operating, coordinating and evaluating programs aimed at reducing or eliminating the involvement of youth in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. The programs shall include those providing for more comprehensive and integrated community-based youth services including Unified Delinquency Intervention Services programs and for community services programs. The Department may authorize advance disbursement of funds for such youth services programs. When the appropriation for "comprehensive community-based service to youth" is equal to or exceeds $5,000,000, the Department shall allocate the total amount of such appropriated funds in the following manner:

(1) no more than 20% of the grant funds appropriated shall be awarded by the Department for new program development and innovation;

(2) not less than 80% of grant funds appropriated shall be allocated to community-based youth services programs based upon population of youth under 18 years of age and other demographic variables defined by the Department of Human Services by rule, which may include weighting for service priorities relating to special needs identified in the annual plans of the regional youth planning committees established under this Act; and

(3) if any amount so allocated under paragraph (2) of this subsection (a) remains unobligated such funds shall be reallocated in a manner equitable and consistent with the purpose of paragraph (2) of this subsection (a).

(b) Notwithstanding any provision in this Act or rules promulgated under this Act to the contrary, unless expressly prohibited by federal law or regulation, all individuals, corporations, or other entities that provide medical or mental health services, whether organized as for-profit or not-for-profit entities, shall be eligible for consideration by the Department of Human Services to participate in any program funded or administered by the Department. This subsection shall not apply to the receipt of federal funds administered and transferred by the Department for services when the federal government has specifically provided that those funds may be received only by those entities organized as not-for-profit entities.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-5) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-5)

Sec. 17a-5. The Department of Human Services shall be successor to the Department of Children and Family Services in the latter Department's capacity as successor to the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission in the functions of that Commission relating to juvenile justice and the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 as amended, and shall have the powers, duties and functions specified in this Section relating to juvenile justice and the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended.

(1) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(a) "juvenile justice system" means all activities by public or private agencies or persons pertaining to the handling of youth involved or having contact with the police, courts or corrections;

(b) "unit of general local government" means any county, municipality or other general purpose political subdivision of this State;

(c) "Commission" means the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission provided for in Section 17a-9 of this Act.

(2) Powers and Duties of Department. The Department of Human Services shall serve as the official State Planning Agency for juvenile justice for the State of Illinois and in that capacity is authorized and empowered to discharge any and all responsibilities imposed on such bodies by the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, specifically the deinstitutionalization of status offenders, separation of juveniles and adults in municipal and county jails, removal of juveniles from county and municipal jails and monitoring of compliance with these mandates. In furtherance thereof, the Department has the powers and duties set forth in paragraphs 3 through 15 of this Section:

(3) To develop annual comprehensive plans based on analysis of juvenile crime problems and juvenile justice and delinquency prevention needs in the State, for the improvement of juvenile justice throughout the State, such plans to be in accordance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended;

(4) To define, develop and correlate programs and projects relating to administration of juvenile justice for the State and units of general local government within the State or for combinations of such units for improvement in law enforcement;

(5) To advise, assist and make recommendations to the Governor as to how to achieve a more efficient and effective juvenile justice system;

(5.1) To develop recommendations to ensure the effective reintegration of youth offenders into communities to which they are returning. The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, utilizing available information provided by the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Prisoner Review Board, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and any other relevant State agency, shall develop by September 30, 2010, a report on juveniles who have been the subject of a parole revocation within the past year in Illinois. The report shall provide information on the number of youth confined in the Department of Juvenile Justice for revocation based on a technical parole violation, the length of time the youth spent on parole prior to the revocation, the nature of the committing offense that served as the basis for the original commitment, demographic information including age, race, sex, and zip code of the underlying offense and the conduct leading to revocation. In addition, the Juvenile Justice Commission shall develop recommendations to:

(A) recommend the development of a tracking system to provide quarterly statewide reports on youth released from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice including lengths of stay in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice prior to release, length of monitoring post-release, pre-release services provided to each youth, violations of release conditions including length of release prior to violation, nature of violation, and intermediate sanctions offered prior to violation;

(B) recommend outcome measures of educational attainment, employment, homelessness, recidivism, and other appropriate measures that can be used to assess the performance of the State of Illinois in operating youth offender reentry programs;

(C) recommend due process protections for youth during release decision-making processes including, but not limited to, parole revocation proceedings and release on parole.

The Commission shall study and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to ensure the effective treatment and supervision of the specialized population of juvenile offenders who are adjudicated delinquent for a sex offense. The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall utilize available information and research on best practices within the State and across the nation including, but not limited to research and recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice. Among other relevant options, the Commission shall: consider requiring specially trained probation, parole or aftercare officers to supervise juveniles adjudicated as sex offenders; explore the development of individualized probation or parole orders which would include, but is not limited to, supervision and treatment options for juveniles adjudicated as sex offenders; and consider the appropriateness and feasibility of restricting juveniles adjudicated as sex offenders from certain locations including schools and parks.

The Juvenile Justice Commission shall include information and recommendations on the effectiveness of the State's juvenile reentry programming, including progress on the recommendations in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph (5.1), in its annual submission of recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on matters relative to its function, and in its annual juvenile justice plan. This paragraph (5.1) may be cited as the Youth Reentry Improvement Law of 2009;

(6) To act as a central repository for federal, State, regional and local research studies, plans, projects, and proposals relating to the improvement of the juvenile justice system;

(7) To act as a clearing house for information relating to all aspects of juvenile justice system improvement;

(8) To undertake research studies to aid in accomplishing its purposes;

(9) To establish priorities for the expenditure of funds made available by the United States for the improvement of the juvenile justice system throughout the State;

(10) To apply for, receive, allocate, disburse, and account for grants of funds made available by the United States pursuant to the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended; and such other similar legislation as may be enacted from time to time in order to plan, establish, operate, coordinate, and evaluate projects directly or through grants and contracts with public and private agencies for the development of more effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency and programs to improve the juvenile justice system;

(11) To insure that no more than the maximum percentage of the total annual State allotment of juvenile justice funds be utilized for the administration of such funds;

(12) To provide at least 66-2/3 per centum of funds received by the State under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, are expended through:

(a) programs of units of general local government or combinations thereof, to the extent such programs are consistent with the State plan; and

(b) programs of local private agencies, to the extent such programs are consistent with the State plan;

(13) To enter into agreements with the United States government which may be required as a condition of obtaining federal funds;

(14) To enter into contracts and cooperate with units of general local government or combinations of such units, State agencies, and private organizations of all types, for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Department imposed by this Section or by federal law or regulations;

(15) To exercise all other powers that are reasonable and necessary to fulfill its functions under applicable federal law or to further the purposes of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 96-853, eff. 12-23-09; 96-1271, eff. 1-1-11; 97-163, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-6) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-6)

Sec. 17a-6. (A) Personnel exercising the rights, powers and duties in the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission that are transferred to the Department of Children and Family Services are transferred to the Department of Children and Family Services. However, the rights of the employees, the State and its agencies under the Personnel Code or any collective bargaining agreement, or under any pension, retirement or annuity plan shall not be affected by the provisions of this amendatory Act.

(B) All books, records, papers, documents, property (real or personal), unexpended appropriations and pending business in any way pertaining to the rights, powers and duties transferred from the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission to the Department of Children and Family Services shall be delivered and transferred to the Department of Children and Family Services.

(C) The provisions of subsections (A) and (B) of this Section are superseded by the applicable transfer and savings provisions of the Department of Human Services Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-7) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-7)

Sec. 17a-7. Units of General Local Government - Agreements for Funds. Units of general local government may apply for, receive, disburse, allocate and account for grants of funds made available by the United States government, or by the State of Illinois, particularly including grants made available pursuant to the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, including subsequent amendments or reenactments, if any: and may enter into agreements with the Department or with the United States government which may be required as a condition of obtaining federal or State funds, or both.

(Source: P.A. 82-975.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-8) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-8)

Sec. 17a-8. Agreements for Cooperative Action by Units of General Local Government. Any two or more units of general local government may enter into agreements with one another for joint cooperative action for the purpose of applying for, receiving, disbursing, allocating and accounting for grants of funds made available by the United States government pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, including subsequent amendments or reenactments, if any; and for any State funds made available for that purpose. Such agreements shall include the proportion and amount of funds which shall be supplied by each participating unit of general local government. Such agreements may include provisions for the designation of treasurer or comparable employee of one of the units to serve as collection and disbursement officer for all of the units in connection with a grant-funded program.

(Source: P.A. 82-975.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-9) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-9)

Sec. 17a-9. Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission.

(a) There is hereby created the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission which shall consist of 25 persons appointed by the Governor. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor. Of the initial appointees, 8 shall serve a one-year term, 8 shall serve a two-year term and 9 shall serve a three-year term. Thereafter, each successor shall serve a three-year term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments. Once appointed, members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Members shall serve without compensation, except they shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses in the performance of their duties. The Commission shall carry out the rights, powers and duties established in subparagraph (3) of paragraph (a) of Section 223 of the Federal "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974", as now or hereafter amended. The Commission shall determine the priorities for expenditure of funds made available to the State by the Federal Government pursuant to that Act. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Development, review and final approval of the State's juvenile justice plan for funds under the Federal "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974";

(2) Review and approve or disapprove juvenile justice and delinquency prevention grant applications to the Department for federal funds under that Act;

(3) Annual submission of recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning matters relative to its function;

(4) Responsibility for the review of funds allocated to Illinois under the "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974" to ensure compliance with all relevant federal laws and regulations;

(5) Function as the advisory committee for the State Youth and Community Services Program as authorized under Section 17 of this Act, and in that capacity be authorized and empowered to assist and advise the Secretary of Human Services on matters related to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention programs and services; and

(6) Study the impact of, develop timelines, and propose a funding structure to accommodate the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Illinois Juvenile Court to include youth age 17 under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Commission shall submit a report by December 31, 2011 to the General Assembly with recommendations on extending juvenile court jurisdiction to youth age 17 charged with felony offenses.

(b) On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Illinois Juvenile Jurisdiction Task Force created by Public Act 95-1031 is abolished and its duties are transferred to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (a) of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 96-1199, eff. 1-1-11.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-10) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-10)

Sec. 17a-10. The Department of Human Services may administer unified delinquency intervention services to provide community-based alternatives to commitment to the Department of Corrections of children adjudicated as delinquent minors, and who meet such criteria as established by rules of the Department of Human Services.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-11) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-11)

Sec. 17a-11. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 94-696, eff. 6-1-06. Repealed by P.A. 103-50, eff. 1-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-12) (from Ch. 23, par. 5017a-12)

Sec. 17a-12. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1004. Repealed by P.A. 91-60, eff. 6-30-99.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-13)

Sec. 17a-13. The Department shall establish a minimum of 3 citizen review panels for the purpose of evaluating the extent to which public and private agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities as required by the State plan submitted under guidelines of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

Each citizen review panel shall be composed of volunteer members who are broadly representative of State and community leaders, including members who have expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Existing advisory groups that have been established under State or federal law by the Department may be designated as citizen review panels if they have the capacity to perform the required functions.

(Source: P.A. 91-60, eff. 6-30-99.)

(20 ILCS 505/17a-15)

Sec. 17a-15. Community service programs; Department of Human Services.

(a) The Department of Human Services must establish a program to award grants to area projects to plan, establish, operate, coordinate, and evaluate community services programs. For purposes of this Section, "area project" means an entity whose purpose is to develop, manage, provide, and coordinate a community services program and "community services program" means a program, based on the Chicago Area Project Model, aimed at changing social, cultural, and environmental conditions that prevent youth and families from maximizing their potential and that place youth in a condition that increases their tendency to become involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.

(b) The Department of Human Services must, by rule, establish the eligibility criteria for an area project, including the composition and responsibilities of the governing authority of an area project, application requirements, service components of community services programs, and the review and monitoring of community services program plans. At a minimum, an area project must be a not-for-profit organization (i)(A) whose preponderance of resources is directed to community services programs that are different than intervention-oriented youth services or (B) that creates through an amendment to its by-laws or other binding agreement a specific body whose purpose is to develop, manage, provide, and coordinate a community services program and (ii) that includes representation from any community committee, as defined by rule of the Department of Human Services, of the area project and may also include business and industry leaders, educators, and other concerned citizens.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall fund community services programs by grants made through negotiated contracts, which are written agreements mutually agreed upon by the Department and the area project. The payment of funds to area projects under the community services program shall be in the form of a grant paid in equal monthly installments. In the event of reduced or insufficient funding, existing grants shall receive proportionate reductions.

(Source: P.A. 93-730, eff. 7-14-04.)

(20 ILCS 505/18a-13) (from Ch. 23, par. 5018a-13)

Sec. 18a-13. (Repealed).

(Source P.A. 90-14, eff. 7-1-97. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/20) (from Ch. 23, par. 5020)

Sec. 20. To control the admission and transfer of persons in the programs of the Department. The Department may divide the State into such regions as it may deem necessary to provide care and service.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/21)

Sec. 21. Investigative powers; training.

(a) To make such investigations as it may deem necessary to the performance of its duties.

(b) In the course of any such investigation any qualified person authorized by the Director may administer oaths and secure by its subpoena both the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers relevant to such investigation. Any person who is served with a subpoena by the Department to appear and testify or to produce books and papers, in the course of an investigation authorized by law, and who refuses or neglects to appear, or to testify, or to produce books and papers relevant to such investigation, as commanded in such subpoena, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as the fees of witnesses before the circuit courts of this State. Any circuit court of this State, upon application of the person requesting the hearing or the Department, may compel the attendance of witnesses, the production of books and papers, and giving of testimony before the Department or before any authorized officer or employee thereof, by an attachment for contempt or otherwise, in the same manner as production of evidence may be compelled before such court. Every person who, having taken an oath or made affirmation before the Department or any authorized officer or employee thereof, shall willfully swear or affirm falsely, shall be guilty of perjury and upon conviction shall be punished accordingly.

(c) Investigations initiated under this Section shall provide individuals due process of law, including the right to a hearing, to cross-examine witnesses, to obtain relevant documents, and to present evidence. Administrative findings shall be subject to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law.

(d) Beginning July 1, 1988, any child protective investigator or supervisor or child welfare specialist or supervisor employed by the Department on January 1, 1988 (the effective date of Public Act 85-206) shall have completed a training program which shall be instituted by the Department. The training program shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) training in the detection of symptoms of child neglect and drug abuse; (2) specialized training for dealing with families and children of drug abusers; and (3) specific training in child development, family dynamics and interview techniques. Such program shall conform to the criteria and curriculum developed under Section 4 of the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987. Failure to complete such training due to lack of opportunity provided by the Department shall in no way be grounds for any disciplinary or other action against an investigator or a specialist.

The Department shall develop a continuous inservice staff development program and evaluation system. Each child protective investigator and supervisor and child welfare specialist and supervisor shall participate in such program and evaluation and shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of inservice education and training every 2 years in order to maintain certification.

Any child protective investigator or child protective supervisor, or child welfare specialist or child welfare specialist supervisor hired by the Department who begins actual employment after January 1, 1988 (the effective date of Public Act 85-206), shall be certified pursuant to the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987 before beginning such employment. Nothing in this Act shall replace or diminish the rights of employees under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, as amended, or the National Labor Relations Act. In the event of any conflict between either of those Acts, or any collective bargaining agreement negotiated thereunder, and the provisions of subsections (d) and (e), the former shall prevail and control.

(e) The Department shall develop and implement the following:

(1) A safety-based child welfare intervention system.

(2) Related training procedures.

(3) A standardized method for demonstration of proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system.

(4) An evaluation of the reliability and validity of the safety-based child welfare intervention system.

All child protective investigators and supervisors and child welfare specialists and supervisors employed by the Department or its contractors shall be required, subsequent to the availability of training under this Act, to demonstrate proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system previous to being permitted to make safety decisions about the children for whom they are responsible. The Department shall establish a multi-disciplinary advisory committee appointed by the Director, including, but not limited to, representatives from the fields of child development, domestic violence, family systems, juvenile justice, law enforcement, health care, mental health, substance abuse, and social service to advise the Department and its related contractors in the development and implementation of the safety-based child welfare intervention system, related training, method for demonstration of proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system, and evaluation of the reliability and validity of the safety-based child welfare intervention system. The Department shall develop the safety-based child welfare intervention system, training curriculum, method for demonstration of proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system, and method for evaluation of the reliability and validity of the safety-based child welfare intervention system. Training and demonstration of proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system for all child protective investigators and supervisors and child welfare specialists and supervisors shall be completed as soon as practicable. The Department shall submit to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2026, and every year thereafter, an annual report on the evaluation of the reliability and validity of the safety-based child welfare intervention system. The Department shall contract with a not-for-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in the field of safety-based child welfare intervention to assist in the development and implementation of the safety-based child welfare intervention system, related training, method for demonstration of proficiency in application of the safety-based child welfare intervention system, and evaluation of the reliability and validity of the safety-based child welfare intervention system.

(f) The Department shall provide each parent or guardian and responsible adult caregiver participating in a safety plan a copy of the written safety plan as signed by each parent or guardian and responsible adult caregiver and by a representative of the Department. The Department shall also provide each parent or guardian and responsible adult caregiver safety plan information on their rights and responsibilities that shall include, but need not be limited to, information on how to obtain medical care, emergency phone numbers, and information on how to notify schools or day care providers as appropriate. The Department's representative shall ensure that the safety plan is reviewed and approved by the child protection supervisor.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-460, eff. 1-1-24; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/21.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5021.1)

Sec. 21.1. In any proceeding in which the Department of Children and Family Services is a party, books, papers, records, warrants, computer printouts and memoranda showing the status of financial obligations owed to the Department of Children and Family Services by any person may be proved by a photostatic or reproduced copy thereof under the certificate of the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services. Such certified copies shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence in the hearing before the Department, in an investigation or in any other proceeding. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to alter the rules governing admissibility of evidence in proceedings in which financial obligations owed to the Department are not in issue.

(Source: P.A. 85-126.)

(20 ILCS 505/21.2)

Sec. 21.2. Child welfare training academy. Subject to appropriations, the Department shall establish within its operations a child welfare training academy for child protective investigators and supervisors employed by the Department.

The training efforts of the child welfare training academy shall include, but shall not be limited to, establishing:

(1) training curricula on recognizing and responding to cases of child abuse or neglect;

(2) cultural competency training that provides tools and other supports to ensure that a child welfare provider's response to and engagement with families and children of color are conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of the individuals who are receiving services, and are conducted or provided in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring maximum success of or participation in the child welfare program or services being provided;

(3) laboratory training facilities that include mock houses, mock medical facilities, mock courtrooms, and mock forensic interview rooms that allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training; and

(4) minimum standards of competence that a person shall be required to demonstrate prior to receiving certification from the Department.

By January 1, 2016, the Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the child welfare training academy that not only establish statewide competence, assessment, and training standards for persons providing child welfare services, but that also ensure that persons who provide child welfare services have the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and abilities to make decisions that keep children safe and secure.

(Source: P.A. 99-348, eff. 8-11-15.)

(20 ILCS 505/21.2a)

Sec. 21.2a. The Department of Children and Family Services' Child Protection Training Academy.

(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares all of the following:

(1) The Department of Children and Family Services collaborated with the University of Illinois at Springfield to develop the Child Protection Training Academy in 2015.

(2) The Child Protection Training Academy represents an innovative approach to training frontline child protection investigators using experiential learning through simulations. Simulations provide a safe learning environment that bridges the gap between policy and practice, increases worker engagement, and accelerates learning.

(3) Research indicates that traditional classroom training results in less than a 15% transfer of knowledge once in the field.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the training efforts of the Child Protection Training Academy shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) The continued development of simulation training for all child protection investigators, including those newly hired and seasoned investigators.

(2) The continued development and implementation of simulation training for investigation, intact, and permanency supervisors.

(3) The development of simulation training for intact and permanency workers both in the Department and at private agencies.

(4) The development of simulation-based training curricula on recognizing and responding to cases of child abuse or neglect for mandated reporters.

(5) The development of simulation-based training for multidisciplinary teams in partnership with the Department, including, but not limited to, the use of mock medical and mock forensic facilities.

(6) Cultural competency training for investigative staff that provides tools and other supports to ensure that a child welfare provider's response to and engagement with families and children of color are: (i) conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of the individuals who are receiving services; and (ii) conducted or provided in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring maximum success of or participation in the child welfare program or services being provided.

(7) Laboratory training facilities that may include, but not be limited to, mock houses, mock courtrooms, mock medical facilities, and mock forensic interview rooms that allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training.

(8) Minimum standards of competence that staff shall be required to demonstrate prior to receiving Child Welfare Employee Licensure certification from the Department.

(c) By July 1, 2020, the Department of Children and Family Services may adopt procedures for the administration of the Child Protection Training Academy that not only establish statewide competence, assessment, and training standards for persons providing child welfare services, but that also ensure that persons who provide child welfare services have the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and abilities to make decisions that keep children safe and secure. The Department shall continue to arrange for an independent evaluation of the Child Protection Training Academy through June 2021, inclusive of the first 5 years of operation. Nothing in this Section prohibits the Department from administering simulation training with other entities outside of the University of Illinois at Springfield. The Department may contract with any entity to provide all aspects of child welfare training.

(Source: P.A. 101-569, eff. 8-23-19.)

(20 ILCS 505/21.5)

Sec. 21.5. Training; advice to subjects of investigation. The Department shall train all child protective investigators concerning the statutory and constitutional rights of individuals subject to investigation for child abuse and neglect and shall require all child protective investigators to inform individuals subject to a child abuse and neglect investigation concerning the specific complaints or allegations made against the individual.

(Source: P.A. 93-733, eff. 1-1-05.)

(20 ILCS 505/21.6)

Sec. 21.6. Front-line staff members; personal protection spray devices.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Front-line staff member" or "staff member" means an individual who engages with families in their home settings.

"Personal protection spray device" means a commercially available dispensing device designed and intended for use in self-defense which is comprised of non-lethal Oleoresin Capsicum and is specifically approved by the Department in consultation with the Illinois State Police.

(b) A front-line staff member is authorized to carry and use personal protection spray devices for self-defense purposes while investigating a report of child abuse or neglect if the front-line staff member has been trained on the proper use of such personal protection spray devices by the Department, in consultation with the Illinois State Police. By January 1, 2023, the Department, in consultation with the Illinois State Police, shall (i) identify a list of approved personal protection spray devices and (ii) jointly develop and approve a training curriculum and program for front-line staff members on the proper use of such personal protection spray devices for self-defense purposes. The Department shall provide funding for the training program.

(c) Personal protection spray device use. A personal protection spray device may only be used if a front-line staff member:

(1) reasonably believes that use is necessary to protect the staff member from an imminent physical assault posed by another person;

(2) uses the device to incapacitate a person attempting a physical assault in order to avoid imminent physical harm and to facilitate escape from danger when there is no other alternative available to the staff member;

(3) uses a device approved by the Department, in consultation with the Illinois State Police;

(4) except in exigent circumstances, has issued a verbal warning to persons in close proximity to the spray area in accordance with the training jointly developed by the Department, in consultation with the Illinois State Police;

(5) does not intentionally spray any person other than a person attempting to physically assault the front-line staff member; and

(6) has successfully completed training on how to use the approved devices, de-escalation techniques, pre-contact cues, and situation awareness.

A front-line staff member's use of personal protection spray devices during the performance of his or her professional duties in any manner other than as expressly authorized under this Section shall be prohibited by Department policy. Whenever a front-line staff member discharges a personal protection spray device, the front-line staff member shall complete an incident report.

(d) Duty to seek medical care for bystanders. Following the discharge of a personal protection spray device that results in exposure, the front-line staff member shall notify his or her supervisor and, if appropriate, call 9-1-1 for emergency response or responders as soon as reasonably practical and when safe to do so.

(e) Reporting. Beginning January 1, 2024, and every January 1 thereafter, the Department shall post on its website a report containing the following information for the preceding calendar year: (i) the number of front-line staff members trained to carry personal protection spray devices; (ii) the number of front-line staff members who report carrying personal protection spray devices and the make or model of the devices; and (iii) the number of reported uses of personal protection spray devices by service region. In addition, the Department shall report each incident involving the deployment of a personal protection spray device that occurred during the preceding calendar year, including:

(1) the estimated age, gender, and race of the intended target of the personal protection spray device;

(2) whether there were injuries to the intended target resulting from the deployment of the personal protection spray device;

(3) the age, gender, and race of the front-line staff member who utilized the personal protection spray device; and

(4) whether there were injuries to the front-line staff member resulting from the incident.

The Department shall also report yearly data on the number of personal protection spray device deployments found to be against Department policy.

(Source: P.A. 102-990, eff. 5-27-22.)

(20 ILCS 505/22) (from Ch. 23, par. 5022)

Sec. 22. To receive, hold, distribute and use for indicated purposes and the benefit of persons receiving care or service, monies and materials made available by the federal government or other agency.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/22.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5022.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2026)

Sec. 22.1. Grants-in-aid for child care services; Department of Human Services.

(a) Blank.

(b) Blank.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall establish and operate day care facilities for the children of migrant workers in areas of the State where they are needed. The Department may provide these day care services by contracting with private centers if practicable. "Migrant worker" means any person who moves seasonally from one place to another, within or without the State, for the purpose of employment in agricultural activities. This Section is repealed on July 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/22.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5022.2)

Sec. 22.2. To provide training programs for the provision of foster care and adoptive care services. Training provided to foster parents shall include training and information on their right to be heard, to bring a mandamus action, and to intervene in juvenile court as set forth under subsection (2) of Section 1-5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the availability of the hotline established under Section 35.6 of this Act, that foster parents may use to report incidents of misconduct or violation of rules by Department employees, service providers, or contractors.

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

(20 ILCS 505/22.3) (from Ch. 23, par. 5022.3)

Sec. 22.3. To provide human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for any child in the custody of the Department being placed in adoptive care, upon the request of the child's prospective adoptive parent. Such testing shall consist of a test approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health to determine the presence of HIV infection, based upon the recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; in the event of a positive result, a reliable supplemental test based upon recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall also be administered. The prospective adoptive parent requesting the test shall be confidentially notified of the test result, and if the test is positive, the Department shall provide the prospective adoptive parents and child with treatment and counseling, as appropriate. The Department shall report positive HIV test results to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

(Source: P.A. 97-244, eff. 8-4-11.)

(20 ILCS 505/22.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5022.4)

Sec. 22.4. Low-interest loans for child care facilities; Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services may establish, with financing to be provided through the issuance of bonds by the Illinois Finance Authority pursuant to the Illinois Finance Authority Act, a low-interest loan program to help child care centers and family day care homes accomplish the following:

(a) establish a child care program;

(b) meet federal, State and local child care standards as well as any applicable health and safety standards; or

(c) build facilities or renovate or expand existing facilities.

Such loans shall be available only to child care centers and family day care homes serving children of low income families.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 505/23) (from Ch. 23, par. 5023)

Sec. 23. To make agreements with any other department, authority or commission of this State, any State university or public or private agency, to make and receive payment for services provided to or by such bodies, and with written approval by the Governor to make agreements with other states.

The Department may enter into agreements with any public or private agency determined appropriate and qualified by the Department that will participate in the cost and operation of programs, in at least 4 different communities, that provide a comprehensive array of child and family services, including but not limited to prenatal care to pregnant women, parenting education, and early childhood education services, nutrition services, and basic health services to children of preschool age and their parents who reside in service areas of the State identified by the Illinois Department of Public Health as having the highest rates of infant mortality under the Infant Mortality Reduction Act (now repealed). The Department may assume primary or full financial and administrative responsibility for any such program that has demonstrated effectiveness.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(20 ILCS 505/24) (from Ch. 23, par. 5024)

Sec. 24. To direct the expenditure of all money which has been or may be received by any officer of the several State institutions under the direction and supervision of the Department, as profit on sales from commissary stores. Such money shall be expended under the direction of the Department for the special comfort, pleasure and amusement of residents and employees, provided that amounts expended for comfort, pleasure and amusement of employees shall not exceed the amount of profits derived from sales made to employees by such commissaries, as determined by the Department.

Money received as interest and income on funds deposited for residents of such State institutions shall be expended for the special comfort, pleasure and amusement of the residents of the particular institution where the money is paid or received, except that interest or income on the individual savings accounts or investments of such residents shall not be so expended, but shall accrue to the individual accounts of such residents.

Any money belonging to residents separated by death, discharge or unauthorized absence from institutions described under this Section, in custody of officers thereof, may, if unclaimed by the resident or the legal representatives thereof for a period of two years, be expended at the direction of the Department for the purposes and in the manner specified above. Articles of personal property, with the exception of clothing left in the custody of such officers, shall, if unclaimed for the period of two years, be sold and the money disposed of in the same manner.

Clothing left at the institution by residents at the time of separation may be used as determined by the institution if unclaimed by the resident or legal representatives thereof within 30 days after notification.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/25) (from Ch. 23, par. 5025)

Sec. 25. Funds; Putative Father Registry fees.

(a) The DCFS Special Purposes Trust Fund is created as a trust fund in the State treasury. The Department is authorized to accept and deposit into the Fund moneys received from grants, gifts, or any other source, public or private, in support of the activities authorized by this Act or on behalf of any institution or program of the Department. Moneys received from federal sources or pursuant to Section 8.27 of the State Finance Act or Section 5-9-1.8 of the Unified Code of Corrections shall not be deposited into the Fund.

(b) The Department shall deposit all Putative Father Registry fees collected under Section 12.1 of the Adoption Act into the DCFS Special Purposes Trust Fund for the Department's use in maintaining the Putative Father Registry.

(c) The DCFS Federal Projects Fund is created as a federal trust fund in the State treasury. Moneys in the DCFS Federal Projects Fund shall be used for the specific purposes established by the terms and conditions of the federal grant or award and for other authorized expenses in accordance with federal requirements.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/29) (from Ch. 23, par. 5029)

Sec. 29. To establish, maintain and operate cemeteries in connection with the institutions of the Department for the interment of the remains of deceased residents of such institutions whose bodies are not claimed by relatives or others willing to provide other facilities for the interment thereof and to acquire lands therefor.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/30) (from Ch. 23, par. 5030)

Sec. 30. To prescribe and require surety bonds from any officer or employee under the jurisdiction of the Department, where deemed advisable, in such penal sums to be determined by the Department. The cost of such bonds shall be paid by the State out of funds appropriated to the Department.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/31) (from Ch. 23, par. 5031)

Sec. 31. To keep, for each institution under the jurisdiction of the Department, a register of the number of officers, employees and residents present each day in the year, in such form as to admit of a calculation of the average number present each month.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/32) (from Ch. 23, par. 5032)

Sec. 32. To keep, for each institution under the jurisdiction of the Department, so far as may be practicable, a record of stores and supplies received and issued, with the dates and names of the parties from or to whom the same were received or issued.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/34) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034)

Sec. 34. To report annually in writing to the Governor, on or before the first day of December, on the conditions, management and financial transactions of the Department. The Department shall make such other reports as the Governor may require.

(Source: P.A. 80-525.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.1)

Sec. 34.1. To report to the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the Department's knowledge of any foster parent's criminal behavior relative to child care activity.

(Source: P.A. 81-185.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.2)

Sec. 34.2. To conduct meetings in each service region between local youth service, police, probation and aftercare workers to develop inter-agency plans to combat gang crime. The Department shall develop a model policy for local interagency cooperation in dealing with gangs.

(Source: P.A. 98-558, eff. 1-1-14.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.3) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.3)

Sec. 34.3. To conduct supervisory reviews of cases handled by caseworkers and other direct-service personnel to determine whether such persons, in the conduct of their duties, identified and addressed actual or potential drug or alcohol abuse problems of clients, and to institute training and other appropriate remedial measures in the event of any systemic failure to properly identify and address such problems.

(Source: P.A. 85-738.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.4)

Sec. 34.4. To enter into referral agreements, on its own behalf and on behalf of agencies funded by the Department, with licensed alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs for the referral and treatment of clients with alcohol and drug abuse problems.

(Source: P.A. 85-738.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.5) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.5)

Sec. 34.5. To make such inquiry as may be appropriate, in any intake or investigation which the Department is required or authorized to conduct, to determine whether drug or alcohol abuse is a factor contributing to the problem necessitating the Department's involvement, and, when appropriate, to refer a person to a licensed alcohol or drug treatment program, and to include any treatment recommendations in the person's case plan.

(Source: P.A. 85-738.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.6) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.6)

Sec. 34.6. To submit to the General Assembly no later than March 1 of each year a report in relation to the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse among families, adults and children who are clients of the Department. The report shall specify the numbers of families, adults and children who are clients of the Department and have identified or suspected alcohol or drug abuse problems.

(Source: P.A. 85-738.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.7) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.7)

Sec. 34.7. To ensure that persons knowledgeable in the causes and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse are appointed to all advisory committees of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 85-738.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.8)

Sec. 34.8. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1394. Repealed by P.A. 95-91, eff. 1-1-08.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.9) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.9)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2026)

Sec. 34.9. The Department may, in conjunction with colleges or universities in this State, establish programs to train low-income older persons to be child care workers. The Department shall prescribe, by rule:

(a) age and income qualifications for persons to be trained under such programs; and

(b) standards for such programs to ensure that such programs train participants to be skilled workers for the child care industry.

This Section is repealed on July 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.10) (from Ch. 23, par. 5034.10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2026)

Sec. 34.10. Home child care demonstration project; conversion and renovation grants; Department of Human Services.

(a) The legislature finds that the demand for quality child care far outweighs the number of safe, quality spaces for our children. The purpose of this Section is to increase the number of child care providers by:

(1) developing a demonstration project to train individuals to become home child care providers who are able to establish and operate their own child care facility; and

(2) providing grants to convert and renovate existing facilities.

(b) The Department of Human Services may from appropriations from the Child Care Development Block Grant establish a demonstration project to train individuals to become home child care providers who are able to establish and operate their own home-based child care facilities. The Department of Human Services is authorized to use funds for this purpose from the child care and development funds deposited into the DHS Special Purposes Trust Fund as described in Section 12-10 of the Illinois Public Aid Code or deposited into the Employment and Training Fund as described in Section 12-10.3 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. As an economic development program, the project's focus is to foster individual self-sufficiency through an entrepreneurial approach by the creation of new jobs and opening of new small home-based child care businesses. The demonstration project shall involve coordination among State and county governments and the private sector, including but not limited to: the community college system, the Departments of Labor and Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the State Board of Education, large and small private businesses, nonprofit programs, unions, and child care providers in the State.

The Department shall submit:

(1) a progress report on the demonstration project to the legislature by one year after January 1, 1992 (the effective date of Public Act 87-332); and

(2) a final evaluation report on the demonstration project, including findings and recommendations, to the legislature by one year after the due date of the progress report.

(c) The Department of Human Services may from appropriations from the Child Care Development Block Grant provide grants to family child care providers and center based programs to convert and renovate existing facilities, to the extent permitted by federal law, so additional family child care homes and child care centers can be located in such facilities.

(1) Applications for grants shall be made to the Department and shall contain information as the Department shall require by rule. Every applicant shall provide assurance to the Department that:

(A) the facility to be renovated or improved shall be used as family child care home or child care center for a continuous period of at least 5 years;

(B) any family child care home or child care center program located in a renovated or improved facility shall be licensed by the Department;

(C) the program shall comply with applicable federal and State laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, or sex;

(D) the grant shall not be used for purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

(E) the applicant shall comply with any other requirement the Department may prescribe to ensure adherence to applicable federal, State, and county laws;

(F) all renovations and improvements undertaken with funds received under this Section shall comply with all applicable State and county statutes and ordinances including applicable building codes and structural requirements of the Department; and

(G) the applicant shall indemnify and save harmless the State and its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims arising out of or resulting from the renovation and improvements made with funds provided by this Section, and, upon request of the Department, the applicant shall procure sufficient insurance to provide that indemnification.

(2) To receive a grant under this Section to convert an existing facility into a family child care home or child care center facility, the applicant shall:

(A) agree to make available to the Department of Human Services all records it may have relating to the operation of any family child care home and child care center facility, and to allow State agencies to monitor its compliance with the purpose of this Section;

(B) agree that, if the facility is to be altered or improved, or is to be used by other groups, moneys appropriated by this Section shall be used for renovating or improving the facility only to the proportionate extent that the floor space will be used by the child care program; and

(C) establish, to the satisfaction of the Department, that sufficient funds are available for the effective use of the facility for the purpose for which it is being renovated or improved.

(3) In selecting applicants for funding, the Department shall make every effort to ensure that family child care home or child care center facilities are equitably distributed throughout the State according to demographic need. The Department shall give priority consideration to rural/Downstate areas of the State that are currently experiencing a shortage of child care services.

(4) In considering applications for grants to renovate or improve an existing facility used for the operations of a family child care home or child care center, the Department shall give preference to applications to renovate facilities most in need of repair to address safety and habitability concerns. No grant shall be disbursed unless an agreement is entered into between the applicant and the State, by and through the Department. The agreement shall include the assurances and conditions required by this Section and any other terms which the Department may require.

(d) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.11)

Sec. 34.11. Lou Jones Grandparent Child Care Program.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares the following:

(1) An increasing number of children under the age of 18, including many children who would otherwise be at risk of abuse or neglect, are in the care of a grandparent or other nonparent relative.

(2) The principal causes of this increase include parental substance abuse, chronic illness, child abuse, mental illness, military deployment, poverty, homelessness, deportation, and death, as well as concerted efforts by families and by the child welfare service system to keep children with relatives whenever possible.

(3) Grandparents and older relatives providing primary care for at-risk children may experience unique resultant problems, such as financial stress due to limited incomes, emotional difficulties dealing with the loss of the child's parents or the child's unique behaviors, and decreased physical stamina coupled with a much higher incidence of chronic illness.

(4) Many children being raised by nonparent relatives experience one or a combination of emotional, behavioral, psychological, academic, or medical problems, especially those born to a substance-abusing mother or at risk of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

(5) Grandparents and other relatives providing primary care for children lack appropriate information about the issues of kinship care, the special needs (both physical and psychological) of children born to a substance-abusing mother or at risk of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and the support resources currently available to them.

(6) An increasing number of grandparents and other relatives age 60 or older are adopting or becoming the subsidized guardians of children placed in their care by the Department. Some of these children will experience the death of their adoptive parent or guardian before reaching the age of 18. For most of these children, no legal plan has been made for the child's future care and custody in the event of the caregiver's death or incapacity.

(7) Grandparents and other relatives providing primary care for children lack appropriate information about future care and custody planning for children in their care. They also lack access to resources that may assist them in developing future legal care and custody plans for children in their legal custody.

(b) The Department may establish an informational and educational program for grandparents and other relatives who provide primary care for children who are at risk of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment or who were born to substance-abusing mothers. As a part of the program, the Department may develop, publish, and distribute an informational brochure for grandparents and other relatives who provide primary care for children who are at risk of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment or who were born to substance-abusing mothers. The information provided under the program authorized by this Section may include, but is not limited to the following:

(1) The most prevalent causes of kinship care, especially the risk of (i) substance exposure, (ii) child abuse, neglect, or abandonment, (iii) chronic illness, (iv) mental illness, (v) military deployment, or (vi) death.

(2) The problems experienced by children being raised by nonparent caregivers.

(3) The problems experienced by grandparents and other nonparent relatives providing primary care for children who have special needs.

(4) The legal system as it relates to children and their nonparent primary caregivers.

(5) The benefits available to children and their nonparent primary caregivers.

(6) A list of support groups and resources located throughout the State.

The brochure may be distributed through hospitals, public health nurses, child protective services, medical professional offices, elementary and secondary schools, senior citizen centers, public libraries, community action agencies selected by the Department, and the Department of Human Services.

The Kinship Navigator established under the Kinship Navigator Act shall coordinate the grandparent child care program under this Section with the programs and services established and administered by the Department of Human Services under the Kinship Navigator Act.

(c) In addition to other provisions of this Section, the Department shall establish a program of information, social work services, and legal services for any person age 60 or over and any other person who may be in need of a future legal care and custody plan who adopt, have adopted, take guardianship of, or have taken guardianship of children previously in the Department's custody. This program shall also assist families of deceased adoptive parents and guardians. As part of the program, the Department shall:

(1) Develop a protocol for identification of persons age 60 or over and others who may be in need of future care and custody plans, including ill caregivers, who are adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, guardians, or prospective guardians of children who are or have been in Department custody.

(2) Provide outreach to caregivers before and after adoption and guardianship, and to the families of deceased caregivers, regarding Illinois legal options for future care and custody of children.

(3) Provide training for Department and private agency staff on methods of assisting caregivers before and after adoption and guardianship, and the families of older and ill caregivers, who wish to make future care and custody plans for children who have been youth in care and who are or will be adopted by or are or will be placed in the guardianship of those caregivers.

(4) Ensure that all caregivers age 60 or over who will adopt or will become guardians of former youth in care have specifically designated future caregivers for children in their care. The Department shall document this designation, and the Department shall also document acceptance of this responsibility by any future caregiver. Documentation of future care designation shall be included in each child's case file and adoption or guardianship subsidy files as applicable to the child.

(5) Ensure that any designated future caregiver and the family of a deceased caregiver have information on the financial needs of the child and future resources that may be available to support the child, including any adoption assistance and subsidized guardianship for which the child is or may be eligible.

(6) With respect to programs of social work and legal services:

(i) Provide contracted social work services to older and ill caregivers, and the families of deceased caregivers, including those who will or have adopted or will take or have taken guardianship of children previously in Department custody. Social work services to caregivers will have the goal of securing a future care and custody plan for children in their care. Such services will include providing information to the caregivers and families on standby guardianship, guardianship, standby adoption, and adoption. The Department will assist the caregiver in developing a plan for the child if the caregiver becomes incapacitated or terminally ill, or dies while the child is a minor. The Department shall develop a form to document the information given to caregivers and to document plans for future custody, in addition to the documentation described in subsection (b) (4). This form shall be included in each child's case file and adoption or guardianship subsidy files as applicable to the child.

(ii) Through a program of contracted legal services, assist older and ill caregivers, and the families of deceased caregivers, with the goal of securing court-ordered future care and custody plans for children in their care. Court-ordered future care and custody plans may include: standby guardianship, successor guardianship, standby adoption, and successor adoption. The program will also study ways in which to provide timely and cost-effective legal services to older and ill caregivers, and to families of deceased caregivers in order to ensure permanency for children in their care.

(7) Ensure that future caregivers designated by adoptive parents or guardians, and the families of deceased caregivers, understand their rights and potential responsibilities and shall be able to provide adequate support and education for children who may become their legal responsibility.

(8) Ensure that future caregivers designated by adoptive parents and guardians, and the families of deceased caregivers, understand the problems of children who have experienced multiple caregivers and who may have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment or may have been born to substance-abusing mothers.

(9) Ensure that future caregivers designated by adoptive parents and guardians, and the families of deceased caregivers, understand the problems experienced by older and ill caregivers of children, including children with special needs, such as financial stress due to limited income and increased financial responsibility, emotional difficulties associated with the loss of a child's parent or the child's unique behaviors, the special needs of a child who may come into their custody or whose parent or guardian is already deceased, and decreased physical stamina and a higher rate of chronic illness and other health concerns.

(10) Provide additional services as needed to families in which a designated caregiver appointed by the court or a caregiver designated in a will or other legal document cannot or will not fulfill the responsibilities as adoptive parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child.

(d) The Department shall consult with the Department on Aging and any other agency it deems appropriate as the Department develops the program required by subsection (c).

(e) Rulemaking authority to implement Public Act 95-1040, if any, is conditioned on the rules being adopted in accordance with all provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and all rules and procedures of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so adopted, for whatever reason, is unauthorized.

(Source: P.A. 100-159, eff. 8-18-17.)

(20 ILCS 505/34.12)

Sec. 34.12. Federal family resource and support program grants. Each year, the Department shall submit an application to the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youths, and Families under 42 USCA Sections 12336, 12337, and 12338 for a family resource and support program grant to expand, develop, and operate a network of local family resource and support programs.

(Source: P.A. 92-84, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 505/35) (from Ch. 23, par. 5035)

Sec. 35. No officer, agent or employee of the Department of Children and Family Services shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract, or other agreement for building, repairing, furnishing or supplying such institutions, or for disposing of the product, or products, of any such institution. Any violation of this Section shall subject the offender, on conviction, to be punished by a fine of not more than double the amount of such contract or agreement, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not less than one or more than 3 years.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5035.1)

Sec. 35.1. The case and clinical records of patients in Department supervised facilities, youth in care, children receiving or applying for child welfare services, persons receiving or applying for other services of the Department, and Department reports of injury or abuse to children shall not be open to the general public. Such case and clinical records and reports or the information contained therein shall be disclosed by the Director of the Department to juvenile authorities when necessary for the discharge of their official duties who request information concerning the minor and who certify in writing that the information will not be disclosed to any other party except as provided under law or order of court. For purposes of this Section, "juvenile authorities" means: (i) a judge of the circuit court and members of the staff of the court designated by the judge; (ii) parties to the proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and their attorneys; (iii) probation officers and court appointed advocates for the juvenile authorized by the judge hearing the case; (iv) any individual, public or private agency having custody of the child pursuant to court order or pursuant to placement of the child by the Department; (v) any individual, public or private agency providing education, medical or mental health service to the child when the requested information is needed to determine the appropriate service or treatment for the minor; (vi) any potential placement provider when such release is authorized by the court for the limited purpose of determining the appropriateness of the potential placement; (vii) law enforcement officers and prosecutors; (viii) adult and juvenile prisoner review boards; (ix) authorized military personnel; (x) individuals authorized by court; (xi) the Illinois General Assembly or any committee or commission thereof. This Section does not apply to the Department's fiscal records, other records of a purely administrative nature, or any forms, documents or other records required of facilities subject to licensure by the Department except as may otherwise be provided under the Child Care Act of 1969. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, upon request, a guardian ad litem or attorney appointed to represent a child who is the subject of an action pursuant to Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 may obtain a copy of foster home licensing records, including all information related to licensing complaints and investigations, regarding a home in which the child is placed or regarding a home in which the Department plans to place the child. Any information contained in foster home licensing records that is protected from disclosure by federal or State law may be obtained only in compliance with that law. Nothing in this Section restricts the authority of a court to order release of licensing records for purposes of discovery or as otherwise authorized by law.

Nothing contained in this Act prevents the sharing or disclosure of information or records relating or pertaining to juveniles subject to the provisions of the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program when that information is used to assist in the early identification and treatment of habitual juvenile offenders.

Nothing contained in this Act prevents the sharing or disclosure of information or records relating or pertaining to the death of a minor under the care of or receiving services from the Department and under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court with the juvenile court, the State's Attorney, and the minor's attorney.

In this paragraph, "significant event report" means a written document describing an occurrence or event beyond the customary operations, routines, or relationships in the Department, a child care facility, or other entity that is licensed or regulated by the Department or that provides services for the Department under a grant, contract, or purchase of service agreement; involving children or youth, employees, foster parents, or relative caregivers; allegations of abuse or neglect or any other incident raising a concern about the well-being of a minor under the jurisdiction of the court under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act; incidents involving damage to property, allegations of criminal activity, misconduct, or other occurrences affecting the operations of the Department or a child care facility; any incident that could have media impact; and unusual incidents as defined by Department rule. The Department shall provide a minor's guardian ad litem, appointed under Section 2-17 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, or a minor's attorney appointed under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, with a copy of each significant event report involving the minor no later than 3 days after the Department learns of an event requiring a significant event report to be written, or earlier as required by Department rule.

Nothing contained in this Section prohibits or prevents any individual dealing with or providing services to a minor from sharing information with another individual dealing with or providing services to a minor for the purpose of coordinating efforts on behalf of the minor. The sharing of such information is only for the purpose stated herein and is to be consistent with the intent and purpose of the confidentiality provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. This provision does not abrogate any recognized privilege. Sharing information does not include copying of records, reports or case files unless authorized herein.

Nothing in this Section prohibits or prevents the re-disclosure of records, reports, or other information that reveals malfeasance or nonfeasance on the part of the Department, its employees, or its agents. Nothing in this Section prohibits or prevents the Department or a party in a proceeding under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 from copying records, reports, or case files for the purpose of sharing those documents with other parties to the litigation.

(Source: P.A. 99-779, eff. 1-1-17; 100-159, eff. 8-18-17; 100-689, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5035.2)

Sec. 35.2. If a child has been found to be an abused minor under Section 4-8 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-21 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and the perpetrator of the abuse was the child's parent, and such parent has been convicted of aggravated battery of the child, and the child has been committed to the Department of Children and Family Services for care and service under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Department shall cause to be filed a petition seeking the termination of such parent's parental rights pursuant to "An Act in relation to the adoption of persons, and to repeal an Act therein named", approved July 17, 1959, as amended, or under Section 2-29 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and the Department shall also seek placement of the child with suitable adoptive parents.

(Source: P.A. 86-403.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.3)

Sec. 35.3. Confidentiality of foster parent identifying information.

(a) Because foster parents accept placements into their residences, it is the policy of the State of Illinois to protect foster parents' addresses and telephone numbers from disclosure. The Department shall adopt rules to effectuate this policy and provide sufficient prior notice of any authorized disclosure for foster parents to seek an order of protection under Section 2-25 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(b) A person to whom disclosure of a foster parent's name, address, or telephone number is made under this Section shall not redisclose that information except as provided in this Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Any person who knowingly and willfully rediscloses a foster parent's name, address, or telephone number in violation of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(c) The Department shall provide written notice of the provisions of subsection (b), including the penalty for a Class A misdemeanor, to anyone to whom the Department discloses a foster parent's name, address, or telephone number.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.5)

Sec. 35.5. Inspector General.

(a) The Governor shall appoint, and the Senate shall confirm, an Inspector General who shall have the authority to conduct investigations into allegations of or incidents of possible misconduct, misfeasance, malfeasance, or violations of rules, procedures, or laws by any employee, foster parent, service provider, or contractor of the Department of Children and Family Services, except for allegations of violations of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act which shall be referred to the Office of the Governor's Executive Inspector General for investigation. The Inspector General shall make recommendations to the Director of Children and Family Services concerning sanctions or disciplinary actions against Department employees or providers of service under contract to the Department. The Director of Children and Family Services shall provide the Inspector General with an implementation report on the status of any corrective actions taken on recommendations under review and shall continue sending updated reports until the corrective action is completed. The Director shall provide a written response to the Inspector General indicating the status of any sanctions or disciplinary actions against employees or providers of service involving any investigation subject to review. In any case, information included in the reports to the Inspector General and Department responses shall be subject to the public disclosure requirements of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Any investigation conducted by the Inspector General shall be independent and separate from the investigation mandated by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Inspector General shall be appointed for a term of 4 years. The Inspector General shall function independently within the Department of Children and Family Services with respect to the operations of the Office of Inspector General, including the performance of investigations and issuance of findings and recommendations, and shall report to the Director of Children and Family Services and the Governor and perform other duties the Director may designate. The Inspector General shall adopt rules as necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, and duties of the office of Inspector General in the Department of Children and Family Services, in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and any other applicable law.

(b) The Inspector General shall have access to all information and personnel necessary to perform the duties of the office. To minimize duplication of efforts, and to assure consistency and conformance with the requirements and procedures established in the B.H. v. Suter consent decree and to share resources when appropriate, the Inspector General shall coordinate the Inspector General's activities with the Bureau of Quality Assurance within the Department.

(c) The Inspector General shall be the primary liaison between the Department and the Illinois State Police with regard to investigations conducted under the Inspector General's auspices. If the Inspector General determines that a possible criminal act has been committed, or that special expertise is required in the investigation, the Inspector General shall immediately notify the Illinois State Police. All investigations conducted by the Inspector General shall be conducted in a manner designed to ensure the preservation of evidence for possible use in a criminal prosecution.

(d) The Inspector General may recommend to the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, or any other appropriate agency, sanctions to be imposed against service providers under the jurisdiction of or under contract with the Department for the protection of children in the custody or under the guardianship of the Department who received services from those providers. The Inspector General may seek the assistance of the Attorney General or any of the several State's Attorneys in imposing sanctions.

(e) The Inspector General shall at all times be granted access to any foster home, facility, or program operated for or licensed or funded by the Department.

(f) Nothing in this Section shall limit investigations by the Department of Children and Family Services that may otherwise be required by law or that may be necessary in that Department's capacity as the central administrative authority for child welfare.

(g) The Inspector General shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of books and papers pertinent to an investigation authorized by this Act. The power to subpoena or to compel the production of books and papers, however, shall not extend to the person or documents of a labor organization or its representatives insofar as the person or documents of a labor organization relate to the function of representing an employee subject to investigation under this Act. Any person who fails to appear in response to a subpoena or to answer any question or produce any books or papers pertinent to an investigation under this Act, except as otherwise provided in this Section, or who knowingly gives false testimony in relation to an investigation under this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(h) The Inspector General shall provide to the General Assembly and the Governor, no later than January 1 of each year, a summary of reports and investigations made under this Section for the prior fiscal year. The summaries shall detail the imposition of sanctions and the final disposition of those recommendations. The summaries shall not contain any confidential or identifying information concerning the subjects of the reports and investigations. The summaries also shall include detailed recommended administrative actions and matters for consideration by the General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.6)

Sec. 35.6. State-wide toll-free telephone number.

(a) There shall be a State-wide, toll-free telephone number for any person, whether or not mandated by law, to report to the Inspector General of the Department, suspected misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, or violations of rules, procedures, or laws by Department employees, service providers, or contractors that is detrimental to the best interest of children receiving care, services, or training from or who were committed to the Department as allowed under Section 5 of this Act. Immediately upon receipt of a telephone call regarding suspected abuse or neglect of children, the Inspector General shall refer the call to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline or to the Illinois State Police as mandated by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and Section 35.5 of this Act. A mandated reporter shall not be relieved of the mandated reporter's duty to report incidents to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline referred to in this subsection. The Inspector General shall also establish rules and procedures for evaluating reports of suspected misconduct and violation of rules and for conducting an investigation of such reports.

(b) The Inspector General shall prepare and maintain written records from the reporting source that shall contain the following information to the extent known at the time the report is made: (1) the names and addresses of the child and the person responsible for the child's welfare; (2) the nature of the misconduct and the detriment cause to the child's best interest; (3) the names of the persons or agencies responsible for the alleged misconduct. Any investigation conducted by the Inspector General pursuant to such information shall not duplicate and shall be separate from the investigation mandated by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. However, the Inspector General may include the results of such investigation in reports compiled under this Section. At the request of the reporting agent, the Inspector General shall keep the identity of the reporting agent strictly confidential from the operation of the Department, until the Inspector General shall determine what recommendations shall be made with regard to discipline or sanction of the Department employee, service provider, or contractor, with the exception of suspected child abuse or neglect which shall be handled consistent with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and Section 35.5 of this Act. The Department shall take whatever steps are necessary to assure that a person making a report in good faith under this Section is not adversely affected solely on the basis of having made such report.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.7)

Sec. 35.7. Error Reduction Implementations Plans; Inspector General.

(a) The Inspector General of the Department of Children and Family Services shall develop Error Reduction Implementation Plans, as necessary, to remedy patterns of errors or problematic practices that compromise or threaten the safety of children as identified in the DCFS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) death or serious injury investigations and Child Death Review Teams recommendations. The Error Reduction Implementation Plans shall include both training and on-site components. The Inspector General shall submit proposed Error Reduction Implementation Plans to the Director for review. The Director may approve the plans submitted, or approve plans amended by the Office of the Inspector General, taking into consideration policies and procedures that govern the function and performance of any affected frontline staff. The Director shall document the basis for disapproval of any submitted or amended plan. The Department shall deploy Error Reduction Safety Teams to implement the Error Reduction Implementation Plans. The Error Reduction Safety Teams shall be composed of Quality Assurance and Division of Training staff to implement hands-on training and Error Reduction Implementation Plans. The teams shall work in the offices of the Department or of agencies, or both, as required by the Error Reduction Implementation Plans, and shall work to ensure that systems are in place to continue reform efforts after the departure of the teams. The Director shall develop a method to ensure consistent compliance with any Error Reduction Implementation Plans, the provisions of which shall be incorporated into the plan.

(b) Quality Assurance shall prepare public reports annually detailing the following: the substance of any Error Reduction Implementation Plan approved; any deviations from the Error Reduction Plan; whether adequate staff was available to perform functions necessary to the Error Reduction Implementation Plan, including identification and reporting of any staff needs; other problems noted or barriers to implementing the Error Reduction Implementation Plan; and recommendations for additional training, amendments to rules and procedures, or other systemic reform identified by the teams. Quality Assurance shall work with affected frontline staff to implement provisions of the approved Error Reduction Implementation Plans related to staff function and performance.

(c) The Error Reduction Teams shall implement training and reform protocols through incubating change in each region, Department office, or purchase of service office, as required. The teams shall administer hands-on assistance, supervision, and management while ensuring that the office, region, or agency develops the skills and systems necessary to incorporate changes on a permanent basis. For each Error Reduction Implementation Plan, the Team shall determine whether adequate staff is available to fulfill the Error Reduction Implementation Plan, provide case-by-case supervision to ensure that the plan is implemented, and ensure that management puts systems in place to enable the reforms to continue. Error Reduction Teams shall work with affected frontline staff to ensure that provisions of the approved Error Reduction Implementation Plans relating to staff functions and performance are achieved to effect necessary reforms.

(d) The OIG shall develop and submit new Error Reduction Implementation Plans as necessary. To implement each Error Reduction Implementation Plan, as approved by the Director, the OIG shall work with Quality Assurance members of the Error Reduction Teams designated by the Department. The teams shall be comprised of staff from Quality Assurance and Training. Training shall work with the OIG and with the child death review teams to develop a curriculum to address errors identified that compromise the safety of children. Following the training roll-out, the Teams shall work on-site in identified offices. The Teams shall review and supervise all work relevant to the Error Reduction Implementation Plan. Quality Assurance shall identify outcome measures and track compliance with the training curriculum. Each quarter, Quality Assurance shall prepare a report detailing compliance with the Error Reduction Implementation Plan and alert the Director to staffing needs or other needs to accomplish the goals of the Error Reduction Implementation Plan. The report shall be transmitted to the Director, the OIG, and all management staff involved in the Error Reduction Implementation Plan.

(e) The Director shall review quarterly Quality Assurance reports and determine adherence to the Error Reduction Implementation Plan using criteria and standards developed by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.8)

Sec. 35.8. Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation rules; review. Not later than 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, and every 5 years thereafter, the Department shall review the rules on granting visitation privileges to a non-custodial grandparent or great-grandparent of a child who is in the care and custody of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 99-341, eff. 8-11-15; 99-838, eff. 1-1-17.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.9)

Sec. 35.9. Visitation privileges; grandparents and great-grandparents.

(a) The Department shall make reasonable efforts and accommodations to provide for visitation privileges to a non-custodial grandparent or great-grandparent of a child who is in the care and custody of the Department. Any visitation privileges provided under this Section shall be separate and apart from any visitation privileges provided to a parent of the child. The Department shall provide visitation privileges only if doing so is in the child's best interest, taking into consideration the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the following additional factors:

(1) the mental and physical health of the grandparent or great-grandparent;

(2) the quantity of the visitation time requested and the potential adverse impact that visitation would have on the child's customary activities;

(3) any other fact that establishes that the loss of the relationship between the child and the grandparent or great-grandparent is likely to unduly harm the child's mental, physical, or emotional health; and

(4) whether visitation can be structured in a way to minimize the child's exposure to conflicts between adult family members.

(b) Any visitation privileges provided under this Section shall automatically terminate upon the child leaving the care or custody of the Department.

(c) The Department may deny a request for visitation after considering the criteria provided under subsection (a) in addition to any other criteria the Department deems necessary. If the Department determines that a grandparent or great-grandparent is inappropriate to serve as a visitation resource and denies visitation, the Department shall: (i) document the basis of its determination and maintain the documentation in the child's case file and (ii) inform the grandparent or great-grandparent of the grandparent's or great-grandparent's right to a clinical review in accordance with Department rules and procedures. The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.10)

Sec. 35.10. Documents necessary for adult living. The Department shall assist a youth in care in identifying and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent adult prior to the closure of the youth's case to terminate wardship as provided in Section 2-31 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. These necessary documents shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following:

(1) State identification card or driver's license.

(2) Social Security card.

(3) Medical records, including, but not limited to, health passport, dental records, immunization records, name and contact information for all current medical, dental, and mental health providers, and a signed certification that the Department provided the youth with education on executing a healthcare power of attorney.

(4) Medicaid card or other health eligibility documentation.

(5) Certified copy of birth certificate.

(6) Any applicable religious documents.

(7) Voter registration card.

(8) Immigration, citizenship, or naturalization documentation, if applicable.

(9) Death certificates of parents, if applicable.

(10) Life book or compilation of personal history and photographs.

(11) List of known relatives with relationships, addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact information, with the permission of the involved relative.

(12) Resume.

(13) Educational records, including list of schools attended, and transcript, high school diploma, or State of Illinois High School Diploma.

(14) List of placements while in care.

(15) List of community resources with referral information, including the Midwest Adoption Center for search and reunion services for former youth in care, whether or not they were adopted, and the Illinois Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America.

(16) All documents necessary to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, if applicable, or an application for State financial aid.

(17) If applicable, a final accounting of the account maintained on behalf of the youth as provided under Section 5.46.

If a court determines that a youth in care no longer requires wardship of the court and orders the wardship terminated and all proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 respecting the youth in care finally closed and discharged, the Department shall ensure that the youth in care receives a copy of the court's order.

(Source: P.A. 102-70, eff. 1-1-22; 102-1014, eff. 5-27-22; 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/35.11)

Sec. 35.11. Rate study. By November 1, 2022, the Department of Children and Family Services shall issue a request for proposal for a rate consultant to study and develop potential new rates and rate methodologies using objective, publicly available data sources, standard administrative cost reporting, and provider-reported costs in order to determine the resources necessary to create and maintain a robust continuum of care in Illinois to meet the needs of all youth in the Department's care, including, but not limited to, therapeutic residential placements, evidence-based alternatives to residential care including therapeutic foster care, specialized foster care, community supports for youth in care who are returned home to parents or guardians, and emergency foster care and emergency shelter care.

(Source: P.A. 102-699, eff. 4-19-22.)

(20 ILCS 505/36) (from Ch. 23, par. 5036)

Sec. 36. Transfer to DCFS (1964). All personnel, materials, books, records, appropriations and other resources and equipment of any institution, facility or service relating to children's and specialized services formerly under the management and supervision of the Department of Mental Health, shall be transferred on January 1, 1964, to the Department of Children and Family Services.

The transfer to the Department of Children and Family Services of employees of the Department of Mental Health who are employed by the transferred institutions, facilities and services, does not affect the status of such employees under the provisions of the "Personnel Code" or other laws relating to State employees, nor shall any admissions or obligations of said institutions, facilities or services be affected hereby.

The other provisions of this Section are superseded by the applicable transfer and savings provisions of the Department of Human Services Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 505/37)

Sec. 37. Internal oversight review and unified report. As required in Section 1-37 of the Department of Human Services Act, the Department shall conduct an internal review and work in conjunction with the Department of Human Services and other State human services agencies in the development of a unified report to the General Assembly summarizing the provider contracts issued by the agencies; auditing requirements related to these contracts; licensing and training requirements subject to audits; mandated reporting requirements for grant recipients and contractual providers; the extent to which audits or rules are redundant or result in duplication; and proposed actions to address the redundancy or duplication.

(Source: P.A. 96-1141, eff. 7-21-10.)

(20 ILCS 505/37a)

Sec. 37a. Cross-agency prequalification and master service agreements. As required in Section 1-37a of the Department of Human Services Act, the Department shall have the authority and is hereby directed to collaborate with the Department of Human Services and other State human services agencies in the adoption of joint rules to establish (i) a cross-agency prequalification process for contracting with human service providers; (ii) a cross-agency master service agreement of standard terms and conditions for contracting with human service providers; and (iii) a cross-agency common service taxonomy for human service providers to streamline the processes referenced in this Section and outlined in Section 1-37a of the Department of Human Services Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-210, eff. 7-28-11.)

(20 ILCS 505/38) (from Ch. 23, par. 5038)

Sec. 38. Should any court of competent jurisdiction hold any section, subdivision, clause, phrase, or provision of this Act to be unconstitutional or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/39) (from Ch. 23, par. 5039)

Sec. 39. The provisions for repeal contained in this Act shall not in any way affect an offense committed, an act done, a penalty, punishment, or forfeiture incurred, or a claim, right, power or remedy accrued under any law in force prior to the effective date of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/39.1)

Sec. 39.1. Kinship Navigator Act. The Kinship Navigator established under the Kinship Navigator Act shall coordinate the child welfare services administered by the Department in relation to kinship care for children and families receiving services under this Act with the programs and services established and administered by the Department of Human Services under the Kinship Navigator Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-276, eff. 8-11-09.)

(20 ILCS 505/39.2)

Sec. 39.2. Illinois Children's Justice Task Force. The Illinois Children's Justice Task Force, in compliance with (i) the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C. 5106c), as amended by Public Law 111-320; (ii) the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10603), as amended; and (iii) Section 116 of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, shall be charged with the exploration, research, and development of recommendations on a multidisciplinary team approach for the investigation of reports of abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18.

The Illinois Children's Justice Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly by January 31, 2016 regarding, but not limited to, its recommendations for a statewide multidisciplinary approach to child abuse or neglect investigations. The Department of Children and Family Services shall continue to provide administrative support to the Task Force through the Department's Children's Justice Grant Manager.

(Source: P.A. 98-845, eff. 8-1-14; 99-23, eff. 7-10-15.)

(20 ILCS 505/39.3)

Sec. 39.3. Suggestion boxes. The Department must place in each residential treatment center, group home, shelter, and transitional living arrangement that accepts youth in care for placement by the Department a locked suggestion box into which residents may place comments and concerns to be addressed by the Department. Only employees of the Department shall have access to the contents of the locked suggestion boxes. An employee of the Department must check the locked suggestion boxes at least once per week. The Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly each year outlining the issues and concerns submitted to the locked suggestion box and the solution to each issue and concern.

(Source: P.A. 100-159, eff. 8-18-17; 101-166, eff. 1-1-20.)

(20 ILCS 505/40) (from Ch. 23, par. 5040)

Sec. 40. Sections 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 40, 41 and 42 of "An Act codifying the powers and duties of the Department of Mental Health, and repealing certain Acts herein named," approved August 2, 1961, are repealed.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1061.)

(20 ILCS 505/41)

Sec. 41. Department of Children and Family Services to submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly.

(a) The Department of Children and Family Services shall, by January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year, electronically transmit to the General Assembly, a report that shall include the following information reflecting the period ending 15 days prior to the submission of the electronic report:

(1) the number of assaults on or threats against employees in the line of duty by service region;

(2) the number of employee injuries resulting from assaults in the line of duty; and

(3) descriptions of the nature of each injury, the number of injuries requiring medical treatment, and the number of days off work per injury.

(b) The requirements in subsection (a) do not relieve the Department from the recordkeeping requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(c) The Department shall:

(1) establish a reasonable procedure for employees to report work-related assaults and injuries. A procedure is not reasonable if it would deter or discourage a reasonable employee from accurately reporting a workplace assault or injury;

(2) inform each employee:

(A) of the procedure for reporting work-related assaults and injuries;

(B) of the right to report work-related assaults and injuries; and

(C) that the Department is prohibited from discharging or in any manner discriminating against employees for reporting work-related assaults and injuries; and

(3) not discharge, discipline, or in any manner discriminate against any employee for reporting a work-related assault or injury.

(Source: P.A. 100-1075, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 505/41.5)

Sec. 41.5. Racial disparities reports. Due to the historical reality of the role of government in creating and maintaining racial inequities, no later than December 31, 2022, and no later than December 31 of each year thereafter, the Department shall prepare and submit an annual report, covering the previous fiscal year, to the General Assembly regarding racial disparities for children and families involved in the child welfare system. The report shall be conducted by a research institution at a public university and must include, at a minimum, the following data de-aggregated by race as compared, where appropriate, to population-level data:

(1) education success, health and behavioral health, housing, jobs or economic justice, criminal justice, and other key metrics that serve as indicators of child and family well-being and can measure socioeconomic conditions in communities; and

(2) children and families involved in a safety plan, the number of protective custodies, the number of investigations of each type of abuse and neglect allegation described in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 300.Appendix B and the findings of such investigations, the number of Department recommended court filings for each allegation type, the number of intakes into the foster care system, placement settings, lengths of stay, and permanency outcomes.

(Source: P.A. 102-451, eff. 1-1-22.)

(20 ILCS 505/42)

Sec. 42. Foster care survey. The Department, in coordination with the Foster Care Alumni of America Illinois Chapter, the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Department's Statewide Youth Advisory Board, shall develop and process a standardized survey to gather feedback from children who are aging out of foster care and from children who have transitioned out of the foster care system. The survey shall include requests for information regarding the children's experience with and opinion of State foster care services, the children's recommendations for improvement of such services, the amount of time the children spent in the foster care system, and any other information deemed relevant by the Department. After the survey is created the Department shall circulate the survey to all youth participating in transitional living programs, independent living programs, or Youth in College and to all youth receiving scholarships or tuition waivers under the DCFS Scholarship Program. The Department shall conduct the survey every 5 years. At the completion of each survey, the Department, in coordination with the Foster Care Alumni of America Illinois Chapter, the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Department's Statewide Youth Advisory Board, shall submit a report with a detailed review of the survey results to the Governor and the General Assembly. The first report shall be submitted no later than December 1, 2021 and every 5 years thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 101-166, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 505/43)

Sec. 43. Intergovernmental agreement; transitioning youth in care.

(a) In order to intercept and divert youth in care from experiencing homelessness, incarceration, unemployment, and other similar outcomes, within 180 days after July 26, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-167), the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, the Illinois Urban Development Authority, and the Department of Public Health shall enter into an interagency agreement for the purpose of providing preventive services to youth in care and young adults who are aging out of or have recently aged out of the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services.

(b) The intergovernmental agreement shall require the agencies listed in subsection (a) to: (i) establish an interagency liaison to review cases of youth in care and young adults who are at risk of homelessness, incarceration, or other similar outcomes; and (ii) connect such youth in care and young adults to the appropriate supportive services and treatment programs to stabilize them during their transition out of State care. Under the interagency agreement, the agencies listed in subsection (a) shall determine how best to provide the following supportive services to youth in care and young adults who are at risk of homelessness, incarceration, or other similar outcomes:

(1) Housing support.

(2) Educational support.

(3) Employment support.

(c) On January 1, 2021, and each January 1 thereafter, the agencies listed in subsection (a) shall submit a report to the General Assembly on the following:

(1) The number of youth in care and young adults who were intercepted during the reporting period and the supportive services and treatment programs they were connected with to prevent homelessness, incarnation, or other negative outcomes.

(2) The duration of the services the youth in care and young adults received in order to stabilize them during their transition out of State care.

(d) Outcomes and data reported annually to the General Assembly. On January 1, 2021 and each January 1 thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly on the following:

(1) The number of youth in care and young adults who are aging out or have aged out of State care during the reporting period.

(2) The length and type of services that were offered to the youth in care and young adults reported under paragraph (1) and the status of those youth in care and young adults.

(Source: P.A. 101-167, eff. 7-26-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 505/44)

Sec. 44. Pat McGuire Child Welfare Education Fellowship Pilot Program.

(a) The General Assembly makes all of the following findings:

(1) The Department of Children and Family Services is the sole State agency for the planning and coordination of programs and services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The Department also provides social services to children and their families, operates children's institutions, and provides certain other rehabilitative and residential services. The Department contracts with many purchase of service agencies for the administration of these programs.

(2) Due to numerous factors, including the rate of pay, purchase of service agencies have a high employee turnover rate and struggle to maintain consistent employment levels. This high turnover is disruptive to the delivery of direct child welfare services to families and youth in care.

(3) A number of public institutions of higher education in this State offer child welfare social work programs that are designed to train and prepare students for employment in the child welfare social work field, including, but not limited to, employment at purchase of service agencies that provide direct child welfare services to families and youth in care.

(4) The Department and public institutions of higher education have a mutual interest in providing greater access to child welfare social work education for a professional workforce that is responsive to the work of the Department through purchase of service agencies.

(b) As used in this Section:

"Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services.

"Direct service" means a position in foster care services, intact services, foster care licensing, adoption, or permanency or a supervisory position in the practice area.

"Eligible applicant" means a student who is enrolled in a social work program of study at a participating institution of higher education and who meets all of the qualifications as determined by the Department.

"Participating institution" means a public university in this State that is a party to an intergovernmental agreement entered into with the Department in order to participate in the program established under this Section.

"Tuition, university fees, and books" includes the customary charge for instruction and books or course material and the additional fixed fees charged for specified purposes that are required generally of students who are not program applicants under this Section for each academic year for which a program applicant under this Section actually enrolls, but does not include room and board, transportation fees, fees payable only once, breakage fees, and other contingent deposits that are refundable in whole or in part. The Department may adopt, by rule not inconsistent with this Section, detailed provisions concerning the computation of tuition, university fees, and books.

(c) Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year and continuing for a period of 6 academic years, the Department shall establish and administer the Pat McGuire Child Welfare Education Fellowship Pilot Program to provide financial assistance to a diverse pool of eligible students who commit to seek and maintain employment at a purchase of service agency that contracts with the Department upon graduation from a participating institution with a degree in social work. The goal of the program is to develop and support an effective and stable direct service child welfare workforce. Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, each participating institution shall enter into and adhere to all of the provisions of an intergovernmental agreement between the Department and the participating institution. Subject to appropriation, the stipend program shall be available to eligible applicants in this State pursuing either a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work degree at a participating institution. The Department may award a stipend of up to $10,000 each academic year for a maximum of 2 academic years, up to a maximum total of $20,000 in stipends for the 2 academic years combined, to a student under this Section if the participating institution and the Department find that the applicant meets all criteria established by the Department.

(d) Each participating institution and the Department shall determine renewal criteria for assistance consistent with the requirements of this Section.

(e) Each participating institution shall post on its Internet website the criteria and eligibility requirements to receive a stipend award of funds under this Section and must identify that the stipend awards are up to a maximum of $10,000 per student per academic year for a maximum of 2 academic years, with the total amount of stipends awarded to an eligible applicant or student not to exceed $20,000 for the duration of the eligible applicant's or student's participation in the program. This information must also be reported to the Department and the Board of Higher Education, and the Department and the Board shall post the information on their respective Internet websites.

(f) Prior to receiving a stipend for any academic year, an eligible applicant under this Section shall be required by the participating institution to sign an agreement with the Department under which the stipend recipient pledges that, within 6 months from the date of the stipend recipient's graduation from the participating institution with a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work degree for which stipend funds were paid by the Department, the stipend recipient must search for, apply to, and accept full-time employment in a direct service position at a Department purchase of service agency located anywhere in this State. The stipend recipient must remain as a full-time employee in a direct service position at a Department purchase of service agency located anywhere in this State for at least 18 months for each academic year the stipend recipient received a stipend from the Department under the program.

(g) If the recipient of a stipend award under this Section fails to search for, apply to, and accept full-time employment in a direct service position at a Department purchase of service agency located anywhere in this State within 6 months following the stipend recipient's graduation from a social work program at a participating institution, the Department shall require the stipend recipient to begin to repay the total amount of the stipend received within 90 calendar days after the end of the 6-month period or as agreed to by the Department. The repayment amount shall be prorated according to the fraction of the employment obligation not completed, at a rate of interest equal to 5%, and, if applicable, reasonable attorney's and collection fees. All repayments collected under this Section shall be forwarded to the State Comptroller for deposit into the fund from which the stipend awards were paid.

(h) A stipend recipient under this Section must immediately notify the participating institution and the Department of any changes to the stipend recipient's enrollment status or if the stipend recipient withdraws from the social work program for which the recipient was awarded a stipend under the program.

(i) If a stipend recipient's qualified employment is terminated for any reason other than for cause, a stipend recipient must search for, apply to, and accept new, qualified, full-time employment in a direct service position at a Department purchase of service agency located anywhere in this State within 90 calendar days from the stipend recipient's termination of full-time employment, otherwise the stipend recipient is subject to the repayment of stipend funds to the Department.

(j) If a stipend recipient's qualified employment is terminated for cause prior to the completion of the program's employment requirement, the stipend recipient shall repay the total amount of stipends received under the program within 90 calendar days from termination or as agreed to by the Department. The amount of repayment owed by the recipient shall be prorated based on the amount of the employment requirement that has been satisfied.

(k) On or before October 1, 2023 and each October 1 thereafter during the Pat McGuire Child Welfare Education Fellowship Pilot Program, the Department shall provide a report and evaluation of the results of the program at each participating institution to the General Assembly and the Office of the Governor. Each participating institution shall track a student's eligibility under the program, the completion of educational requirements, the costs of each student's tuition, university fees, and books, and the application of the recipient's stipends during the recipient's enrollment at the participating institution. The report shall also include the location in this State where each stipend recipient was hired and shall identify the purchase of service agency, the duration of the recipient's employment, and the termination date of the recipient's employment.

(l) The sharing and reporting of student data under subsection (k) shall be in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Illinois School Student Records Act. All parties under this Section must preserve the confidentiality of information as required by law. The names of stipend recipients under this Section are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

(m) The Department is authorized to adopt rules to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-80, eff. 7-9-21; 102-848, eff. 1-1-23.)

(20 ILCS 505/45)

Sec. 45. Title IV-E funds for legal services to foster youth and families.

(a) Findings and purpose. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Child welfare court proceedings are serious and life changing. Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as their connections to culture and heritage.

(2) The gravity of child welfare proceedings and the rights and liabilities at stake necessitate the provision of quality legal representation for children and youth throughout the duration of child welfare proceedings.

(3) Legal representation serves to protect and advance the interests of children and youth in court and provides confidential attorney-client privilege to ensure children feel safe sharing with attorneys information that otherwise may go unvoiced.

(4) As the agency responsible for administering the State's approved Title IV-E State Plan, the Department of Children and Family Services is the only State agency with the authority to seek federal matching funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for children who are candidates for foster care, children who are in foster care, and parents who are participating in foster care legal proceedings.

(5) It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure the Department leverages and maximizes federal resources to support the provision of quality legal representation to children and families to improve outcomes in the child welfare system.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Child's lawyer" means a lawyer who is appointed by the court to serve as a child's lawyer in a proceeding pending under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the duties prescribed by State statute, court rules, standards of practice, and the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, including, but not limited to, diligence, communication, confidentiality, and the responsibilities to zealously assert the client's position under the rules of the adversary system and to abide by the client's decisions concerning the objectives of representation, as provided for in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

"Respondent's lawyer" means a lawyer who provides legal representation to a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or responsible relative who is named as a party-respondent in a proceeding pending under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the duties prescribed by State statute, court rules, standards of practice, and the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, including, but not limited to, diligence, communication, confidentiality, and the responsibilities to zealously assert the client's position under the rules of the adversary system and to abide by the client's decisions concerning the objectives of representation, as provided for in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

(c) The Department shall pursue claiming Title IV-E administrative costs for independent legal representation by an attorney for a child who is a candidate for Title IV-E foster care, or who is in foster care, and the child's parent to prepare for and participate in all stages of foster care legal proceedings. Federal reimbursements for these administrative costs must be deposited into the Due Process for Youth and Families Fund created under subsection (d).

(d) The Due Process for Youth and Families Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of any moneys appropriated to the Department from federal Title IV-E reimbursements for administrative costs as described in subsection (c) and any other moneys deposited into the Fund in accordance with this Section. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be disbursed for fees and costs incurred by organizations or law practitioners that provide services as a child's lawyer or respondent's lawyer as those terms are defined in subsection (b) and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. The Department and the State Treasurer may accept funds as provided under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for deposit into the Fund. Annual requests for appropriations for the purpose of providing independent legal representation under this Section shall be made in separate and distinct line-items.

(e) Units of local government and public and private agencies may apply for and receive federal or State funds from the Department in accordance with the purposes of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-1115, eff. 1-9-23.)