A state watchdog is calling for fixes to Illinois' child welfare system, and a key lawmaker says he may call legislative hearings following reports that a rising number of children are dying from abuse and neglect — some after being on the radar of case workers.
The Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ radio report Denise Kane, inspector general for the Department of Children and Family Services, says there needs to be better coordination between police and DCFS. Kane also said child-welfare workers should work more evening shifts so they can have more interaction with working families, many of whom aren't home until after 5 p.m.
"The Department still doesn't have a liaison with the Chicago Police Department so that we can work together," she said. "That's insane."
Kane's comments follow a report by the news outlets that found (http://bit.ly/1d1rHlj ) there were 111 child deaths statewide caused by abuse or neglect during the 12-month period that ended June 30 — a 30-year high for the state.
The Sun-Times and WBEZ analyzed 10 years of Kane's reports about deaths of children from abuse and neglect that occurred after DCFS had had some involvement with the child. The investigation concluded there were 228 such deaths between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2012.
The number more than doubled — from 15 to 34 — between 2010 and 2011. In 2012 there were also 34 such deaths.
Among the fatalities was 4-year-old Christopher Valdez, from Chicago's Southwest Side. Authorities say he was beaten to death in 2011 by his mother's boyfriend.
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Shortly before his death, the boy's mother was arrested for beating him and later convicted. But DCFS and the courts allowed Christopher to resume living with her.
DCFS Director Richard Calica said he has worked to reduce caseloads that were as high as 25 cases per investigator when he took over DCFS two years ago. Calica said he eliminated management jobs and converted them to investigator positions. Investigators now typically handle nine cases each.
On Friday, Gov. Pat Quinn announced Calica had resigned because he has been diagnosed with cancer. He planned to step down immediately.
State Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat who is chairman of the House Appropriations-Human Resources Committee, said he plans to speak with experts in the field and may hold hearings on the issue.
"Clearly, one death, one serious injury is one too many, and there seems to be room for improvement," Harris said.
