Full question:
What are the laws in Illinois on placement of children with my relatives?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Placement with Relatives
- Date:
- State: Illinois
Answer:
In Illinois, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) prioritizes placing children with relatives whenever possible. According to the Children and Family Services Act (20 ILCS 505/7), the Department must consider the child's best interests and safety when making placements.
The law defines 'relative' broadly, including grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and even fictive kin—individuals who have close personal ties to the child or family. When a child enters DCFS custody, the Department is required to make reasonable efforts to identify and notify all willing adult relatives who can care for the child. This process must be repeated each time a placement change occurs.
If a relative is not deemed suitable for placement, the Department must document the reasons for this decision. Additionally, a criminal background check is conducted, and certain offenses may disqualify a relative from being a caregiver.
Overall, the Department aims to ensure that placements support the child's health, safety, and emotional needs while maintaining family connections whenever possible.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.