CHICAGO (AP) — A new report commissioned by state child welfare officials shows systemic breakdowns and deficiencies that threaten the safety of children at a north suburban residential facility where a teen died this year.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services hired researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago to review Allendale Association after 16-year-old Shaquan Allen’s death at the agency’s Lake Villa campus in March.
The 24-page report released last week cites several strengths of the facility, but also highlights concerns about staffing, restraints and oversight.
One employee is charged in Allen’s death for placing him in a chokehold, and another is charged for trying to mislead authorities about what happened.
Allendale officials defended their overtime policies in the report and said they complied with laws and regulations.
