(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

256 words·~1 min read·/il/chapter-325/act-7/1-4

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Sec. 20. Program. The Department of Children and Family Services shall establish a 3-year Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program no later than January 1, 2024, for the purpose of promoting unbiased decision making in the child removal process. The pilot program shall be implemented in a field office located in DuPage County, a field office located in Champaign County, and a field office located in Williamson County. The purpose of promoting unbiased decision making in the child removal process shall be achieved by the identified county using a bias-free child removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the custody of the child's parent or guardian, as specified.

By January 1, 2024, the steering committee established by the Department as provided in Section 25 shall develop the pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disproportionality in the child welfare system. The pilot program shall be implemented for a period of no less than 3 years in at least one office located in DuPage County, one office located in Champaign County, and one office located in Williamson County.

The Department shall on January 1, 2025, January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027 submit to the General Assembly an evaluation report that details the pilot program's implementation and that provides an analysis of the pilot program's effect and impact on the removal rates of BIPOC children. The January 1, 2027 report shall be the final evaluation report submitted to the General Assembly by the Department.