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Who We Are

Illinois Child Welfare Statistics at a Glance

Illinois Child Welfare Statistics at a Glance

The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services believes that no child should grow up in foster care.  We agree.  We must work together to lift Illinois out of last place in the nation for achieving timely permanency, while keeping the safety of our children in the forefront of everything that we do.  Your support will help to change these statistics about Illinois’ children.

2.36 Billion FY25 Budget
17,090 Number of children and youth, age 0-21, in DCFS custody on 7/31/2025
238,169 Hotline calls in FY25
78,096 DCFS investigations conducted in FY24
117,323 Child victims associated with investigations of abuse or neglect in FY21
4,300 Number of children who entered foster care in FY24
4,300 Number of families being served in FY25 in the preservation program keeping kids at home
4,000 DCFS employees FY25 end-of-year
5,374 Achieved permanency in 2024. The reunification rate was 18.4%; 9.9% for adoption; and 3.4% for guardianship.
2,365 Youth in Care between the ages of 18-21 in 2024
157 Despite contact with DCFS, 157 Illinois children died in FY25 of abuse and neglect according to the Inspector General's Report. 5 of them with open/active cases.

Our impact this year has changed our community!

  • Children Served in FY25

    9,907

  • Volunteer Hours in FY25

    128,849

  • Volunteer Advocates in FY25

    3,057

  • Number of New Children Served in FY25

    2,893

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

  • National CASA
    National CASA
  • Illinois DCFS
    Illinois DCFS
  • The Office of Illinois Courts
    The Office of Illinois Courts
  • Illinois Attorney General
    Illinois Attorney General
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