DEERFIELD – To make it easier for people to report child abuse and neglect, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services enhanced its online reporting system. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is encouraging the public and mandatory reporters to use the website to report issues at a faster pace.

“Oftentimes, both children and adults find themselves in vulnerable situations where they don’t feel comfortable picking up the phone to make a report or can’t do so immediately,” Morrison said. “Not only does this make the reporting process easier, it expedites the case management process and lessens the number of return calls needed during times of high call volume.”

DCFS last month upgraded its online reporting system, with improved entry fields, clearer instructions and fewer necessary clicks, reducing the time required to make reports.

After the recent upgrade, 434 online reports were made in the last full week of September compared to 173 filed during the same time last year.

When someone makes a report through the upgraded user-friendly site, it is automatically sent to DCFS’s case management system, which the agency says increases internal efficiency. 

To use the online reporting system, visit dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Additionally, cases of abuse and neglect can still be reported by phone at 1-800-25-ABUSE.