Religious Rights of Youth in Out-of-Home Care - Illinois
Youths' Religious Rights
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 20, § 521/5 (Foster Children's Bill of Rights)
Every child in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) who is placed in foster care shall have the following rights:
- To attend religious services and activities of their choice
- To have social contacts with people outside of the foster care system, including teachers, church members, mentors, and friends
Agency Responsibilities
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 20, § 505/7
In placing any child under this act, DCFS shall place the child, as far as possible, in the care and custody of some individual holding the same religious belief as the parents of the child or with some child care facility operated by persons of like religious faith as the parents of such child.
Addressing Grievances
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 20, § 521/5 (Foster Children's Bill of Rights)
Every child in DCFS' care who is placed in foster care shall have the right to contact the Advocacy Office for Children and Families established under the Children and Family Services Act or the DCFS Office of the Inspector General regarding rights violations, to speak to representatives of these offices confidentially, and to be free from threats or punishment for making complaints.