A published report says more than half of Illinois day cares haven't been inspected by the state.
The Chicago Tribune reported (http://trib.in/IeBxyk) in its Sunday edition that 55 percent of the approximately 12,300 day care operations haven't had visits from state inspectors during their current three-year license period.
The Tribune reports that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has nearly 3,000 employees, but only 123 are assigned to licensing.
The newspaper reports that caseloads for licensing workers often are double what they should be. The Tribune cites agency figures that it analyzed in its investigation.
State officials blame budget cuts and staffing shortages for their inspection failures.
Agency officials say that department is hiring four workers to reduce its background-check backlog and plans to hire more licensing workers.
Report: Half of Illinois Day Care Centers Not Inspected By the State
Some Day Care Centers Haven't Seen State Inspectors For Three Years
Copyright AP - Associated Press
