Springfield News
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OCT 01, 2019
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ hotline is often referred to as the agency’s front door because it’s the primary way abuse and neglect can be reported, after which kids and families can receive services.
In recent years, the volume of calls coming into DCFS’ hotline — 800-25-ABUSE — has risen precipitously, and hotline staffers have not been able to keep up with the increase in calls. A May audit from Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office found that timeliness for completing investigations declined significantly between 2015 and 2017, both the focus of the biennial audit and the timeframe in which the state went without an operating budget for two years. -
A planned transition for nearly 36,000 foster children and former youth in care from traditional fee-for-service Medicaid to a Medicaid managed care system has been delayed until February after advocates said the change could put thousands of the state’s most vulnerable children at risk.
Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith addresses reporters. [Hannah Meisel/The Daily Line]
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The Illinois Human Rights Commission on Wednesday voted in favor of enforcing an earlier ruling allowing a trans woman employee to use the women’s bathroom at the Aurora Hobby Lobby where she’s worked for nearly two decades while her case is on appeal.
“I’m good at what I do,” Sommerville said. “I have a huge clientele of customers that come to me for my specific talents of framing and everything else. I shouldn’t have to leave,” said Meggan Sommerville. [Submitted]
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While Lawmakers grilled Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials and representatives of a Medicaid managed care organization charged with providing 17,100 foster children with health care by Nov. 1, a task force charged with overseeing that very responsibility sat empty.
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Staff at all levels of the Illinois’ beleaguered Department of Children and Family Services is not responsive to calls, several stakeholders have told The Daily Line, pointing to major communications issues as one reason for the agency’s troubles in recent years.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith. [Submitted]
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SEP 16, 2019
A simmering feud between two Northwest Side Democratic party leaders has boiled over into an all-out war.
A simmering feud between State Sen. Robert Martwick, top, and 41st Ward Democratic Commiteeperson Tim Heneghan has boiled over into an all-out war. [Submitted]
Tim Heneghan, who is the 41st Ward Democratic committeeperson, tweeted his support on Thursday for Chicago Police Sgt. Danny O’Toole, who is mounting a primary challenge against newly-minted State Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).
