IL HB1229

Department of Children and Family Services shall conduct a study every 4 months for the first year a child has not been reunited with their family.

Department must document in detail why parent and child have not been reunited and what specific steps are being taken to reunite the family.

Court may appoint an independent third party to review the service plan and determine whether all necessary steps have been taken to reunite the child with their family and whether return home cannot be achieved under the plan.

Appointed reviewers may include court appointed special advocates under Section 2-17.1 of the Juvenile Court Act.