Illinois § 7.22

§ 7.22.

Reviews of unfounded reports. (a) Whenever the Department determines that a reported incident of child abuse or neglect will be "unfounded", the Department shall forward a copy of the report and written notice of the Department's intent to classify the report as unfounded to a guardian ad litem appointed under Section 5-610 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for a minor who is in the custody or guardianship of the Department or who has an open intact family services case with the Department or the minor's attorney or guardian ad litem appointed under Section 2-17 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department's obligation under this subsection to provide reports to a guardian ad litem appointed under Section 5-610 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for a minor with an open intact family services case applies only if the guardian ad litem notified the Department in writing of the representation. The minor's attorney or guardian ad litem who receives a report pursuant to this subsection may request a review of the investigation within 10 days of receipt of the report and written notice of the Department's intent to classify the report as unfounded, as provided in Section 7.14 of this Act, if the subject of the report is also the minor for whom the attorney or guardian ad litem has been appointed. (b) Reviews requested under subsection (a) may be requested by sending a request via U.S. Mail, postmarked within 10 days after notice of the Department's intent to classify the report as unfounded, or by faxing a request within 10 days after notice of the Department's intent to classify the report as unfounded. The date of notification of the Department's intent to classify the report as unfounded is the date the attorney or guardian ad litem received a copy of the report and written notice from the Department. Following the review, the Department shall inform the minor's attorney or guardian ad litem as to whether the report will be classified as indicated or unfounded. The minor's attorney or guardian ad litem shall also receive a final finding notice from the State Central Register. (c) By January 1, 2014, the Department shall promulgate rules addressing reviews requested under subsection (a). The rules shall provide that a review requested under subsection (a) must occur before the report is classified and a final finding is entered in the central register and that the review must be conducted by a Department employee outside the supervisory chain of the assigned investigator. (Source: P.A. 100-158, eff. 1-1-18.)