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"A house of horrors." That's how one former Chicago foster child described Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center, a facility that's been at the center of a years-long CBS News Chicago investigation.
The organization One Hope United and the University of Illinois Chicago want to expand a program that provides family-style living to teens in foster care.
Both couples are still actively fighting for their kids, knowing it will be a long and complicated road.
A state lawmaker is joining the growing call for accountability from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services about past abuse allegations before an 8-year-old boy's murder.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is now accepting applications for a scholarship program for college-bound youth who are or formerly were in the care of the department.
A lone politician and a single parent joined forces to take on one of the most powerful agencies in Illinois: the Department of Children and Family Services. The pair is publicly questioning the use of interns to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.
A Chicago child who went missing while in DCFS custody has been found by U.S. Marshals after seven years.
The Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act would allow the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services more flexibility in certifying grandparents and other relatives as foster parents for children in their family.
Since the teen was brought back into custody in the last week, instead of a "more secure placement," he has been placed in an unsecured shelter.
In a court document, a DCFS worker predicted the teen would run—and so did the judge handling the case.
The CBS News Chicago Investigators have been reporting for months on the allegations of sexual and physical abuse to children in DCFS custody at Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center.
Cardinal Blase Cupich asked Fr. Martin Nyberg to step aside from his duties at St. Josaphat Parish amid a DCFS investigation.
An Illinois man accused of stabbing a state child welfare worker to death as she was making a home visit to check on children has been found guilty but mentally ill in her killing.
The former University of Illinois football player had been hired at Aunt Martha's despite having a criminal conviction on his record.
One man who worked at Aunt Martha's through a third-party security firm was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a 14-year-old girl.
DCFS Director Heidi Mueller was asked Thursday why some kids in the system are being held in psychiatric hospitals longer than medically necessary.
"The funding the state is providing to UP House builds on DCFS' critical work to add capacity throughout the system."
Marc Smith had been set to step down from DCFS at the end of 2023, but will stay on an extra month to ensure a smooth transition, according to the governor's office.
This was the first time child endangerment charges against a welfare worker have been successfully brought in Illinois.
Last time the state Auditor General updated us, there were 30 major failures by DCFS. This time, it's 33.
"He doesn't explore anything with the child. It's very, in my opinion, superficial. He's not utilizing any of his clinical skills or investigative skills."
Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin were assigned to investigate the five-year-old's case.
The girl was in the care of DCFS when she was nine, and when the state couldn't find a home for her, they left her in a psychiatric hospital.
The Cook County Public Guardian is challenging the agency's move in court calling it 'outrageous.'
A CBS 2 investigation raises questions about whether the child's foster mother should have even had her foster license at the time of the girl's death.
All three suspects are facing multiple charges after attacking a CBS News Chicago crew and then pointing a gun at people in Brighton Park on Monday afternoon.
Illinois State Police said there is no danger to the public.
A woman has died after six months in a coma that her family blames on a confrontation with police in Evanston, Illinois, attorneys said Wednesday.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is making moves to remove state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) from office.
Volunteers in the Chicago area are gathering donations to send to Venezuela earthquake survivors.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is making moves to remove state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) from office.
Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas DePodesta, who has led FBI Chicago for the past three years, is leaving his post on July 6.
Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling announced Wednesday that he is retiring later this month.
More than 1,000 grand jury presentations are under review after charges were dismissed in the "Broadview Six" case due to grand jury abuses and prosecutorial misconduct, Chicago's top federal prosecutor said.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker vowed the state will continue to protect transgender Illinoisans and athletes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Environmental and community groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition challenging U.S. Steel Gary Works operating permit renewal.
In the four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Illinois became a destination for abortion care, Illinois providers and advocates have rebuilt the state's infrastructure to support the tens of thousands of people who travel to the state for abortion services every year.
June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, raising awareness of a disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Daley's Restaurant, known as Chicago's oldest, has served Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People, whose hit "Y.M.C.A." became a fixture at rallies for President Trump, has died at the age of 74, his wife and the band said.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding plans include a rehearsal dinner and a late-night celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City, according to sources familiar with the security planning.
Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay income taxes.
Lionel Richie's Chicago concert at the United Center has been postponed after the singer became sick at his tour opener in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Legendary musician Lionel Richie had to cut his performance short Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving fans with many questions.
The only two things manufacturers can print moving forward are “use by” or “freeze by” to indicate when food is no longer safe to eat.
All three have been previously accused of using tow trucks to commit further crimes.
Recess in the West Loop hosted a World Cup watch party. The bar was packed with soccer fans, and even some who were new to the sport.
Known as a son of Englewood, Snelling was the CPD's 64th police superintendent. He was appointed by Mayor Johnson in August 2023 and sworn in the following month.
Gusty storms could pass through the area at times Thursday through the weekend. Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest in First Alert Weather.
All three suspects are facing multiple charges after attacking a CBS News Chicago crew and then pointing a gun at people in Brighton Park on Monday afternoon.
Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling announced he will retire on July 15.
ComEd has issued an urgent warning to people on the West Side of Chicago and in some west and southwest suburbs that the power grid is under "critical strain."
Illinois State Police said there is no danger to the public.
An alleged member of a criminal cyber hacking group had been extradited to Chicago face federal charges after being arrested in Finland.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
An Uber driver who was assaulted during a ride said he begged Chicago police officers not once but twice for help, but was left to fend for himself.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office has been a part of Illinois' enhanced CTA security plan and state-led task force dedicated to making it safe since the end of March. Their officers have worked more than 4,000 hours a month.
A rideshare driver was shot in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood on Monday night.
The Cubs (49-38) have won five straight after sweeping the Padres (43-42), who have lost five in a row.
Dean Kremer pitched six impressive innings in his return from a quad injury, and the Baltimore Orioles avoided a sweep Wednesday with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Alex Bregman, Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong added homers to help the Cubs win for the 10th time in 12 games.
Colson Montgomery and Junior Perez homered during Chicago's seven-run third inning and the White Sox pounded the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 on Tuesday night.
A 9-year-old boy from Arizona won a nice chunk of change recently, thanks in part to the signature of Chicago White Sox infielder and slugger Munetaka Murakami.
An alleged member of a criminal cyber hacking group had been extradited to Chicago face federal charges after being arrested in Finland.
More than 1,000 grand jury presentations are under review after charges were dismissed in the "Broadview Six" case due to grand jury abuses and prosecutorial misconduct, Chicago's top federal prosecutor said.
A man was arrested and charged this week with shooting and killing his estranged wife in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood this past January.
A man was found shot to death inside a home in Chicago's Pullman community early Wednesday morning.
A Lake County, Illinois, man was due in court Wednesday on charges of making direct threats to Latino immigrants.
