Child Abuse

Illinois lawmakers unanimously passed a bill during the spring legislative session that gives more transparency and tools to parents to defend themselves in child abuse cases.

A bill introduced in the Illinois legislature would allow teachers to challenge notices of remedy, actions that go against school policy but can be fixed. Opponents have raised concern that this could erase documentation of patterns of abuse by teachers.

The "Taking Steps to End Child Abuse Color Run" is in its 16th year this April. It is held in the memory of Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg of LeRoy, the 2009 victims of childhood domestic violence.

The state of Illinois is rolling out a new app to help parents of abused and neglected children communicate with their Department of Children and Family services caseworkers and with other service providers.

Volunteers are needed to support children experiencing abuse and neglect, or who are part of the foster care system.

A McLean County program that supports abused and neglected children is expanding to Logan County.

The head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said the agency has made big gains in reducing chronic staff shortages this year.

Since May, 667 people have joined lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers across the state, according to attorneys.

Child deaths involving the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services increased by 40 percent in the last fiscal year.

McLean County's new state's attorney says she hopes the job will give her a better platform to address child welfare issues. Erika Reynolds has been critical of the how Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has handled abuse allegations.