Illinois DCFS Under Fire for Unlawful Investigations
🔍 What’s Happening
Illinois DCFS is allegedly using uncertified interns, titled “Children and Family Service Interns,” to conduct formal child abuse investigations.
This practice violates Illinois statutes 20 ILCS 505/21 and 225 ILCS 420, which require investigators to be certified Child Protection Specialists with:
A bachelor’s degree in a human services field
Two years of professional child welfare experience
Formal certification by DCFS
🧑⚖️ Legal and Legislative Response
IL Rep. Jed Davis calls this a “systemic failure” and “legal disaster,” stating that families are suffering due to DCFS’s disregard for legal standards.
Attorney Jared Schneider confirms that only certified specialists—or in rare cases, certified Child Welfare Specialists—can legally:
Investigate abuse or neglect
Make final determinations
Decide on child removal
📉 Consequences of Intern-Led Investigations
Interns may have the required education but lack the mandated experience, making them ineligible for certification.
Despite this, they are reportedly conducting investigations without supervision, potentially leading to:
Unlawful child removals
Due process violations
Erosion of parental rights
🕵️♂️ Historical Context
Schneider notes that for decades, Illinois has claimed its investigators were properly trained and supervised before certification.
The current practice undermines public trust and raises questions about DCFS transparency and accountability.
