(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.)
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