You have been there for us in the past, and I hope you will be there for us now. We are particularly grateful that you are here today, because I think Illinois is one State among many that is under siege. Child welfare systems across the country are really overwhelmed and are having great difficulty keeping up. Three children die in this country every single day as a result of abuse and neglect. The States are overwhelmed, and they lack the stable leadership, support, and resources that they need to carry out the job.
Funding is especially inadequate.
There are lawsuits pending in nearly half of the States in this country because the States have not provided the resources or protections children need and deserve. That is true here in Illinois, and it is true in States across the country. Caseloads are dangerously high. The Child Welfare League of America recommends that caseload ratios for responsible practice should be between 13 and 17 cases per worker. In child protective services, there is not a State in the country that meets these ratios.