IL HR0085

Urges the Illinois Supreme Court and Cook County Circuit Court to examine why children in the Cook region remain in foster care significantly longer than children in other Illinois regions

Documents that Cook County children experience median stays of 40-43 months compared to 16-27 months in other regions, with adoption rates of 4-5% versus 9-11% elsewhere

Notes that 69.3% of Illinois children in foster care for over 24 months experience three or more placements, and Cook County children are reunified at lower rates (6-7.5%) than other regions (16-22.9%)

Highlights racial disparities, with 71.2% of Cook County foster children being Black, who experience even longer stays (40.8-42.7 months) than white or Latinx children in the same region

Requests that the courts recommend legislation to reduce disparities and shorten foster care duration for Cook County children