title
APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF DUPAGE,
ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF OF DUPAGE COUNTY
AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
resolution
WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 5 ILCS 220/1, authorize the execution of agreements and implementation of cooperative ventures between public agencies within the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, DCFS has the primary responsibility of protecting children through the investigation of suspected abuse or neglect by parents and other caregivers in a position of trust or authority over the child; and
WHEREAS, the Child Protection Division (CPD) is a specialized component within DCFS tasked with the crucial role of investigations into the alleged abuse or neglect of a child; and
WHEREAS, DCFS Child Protection Specialists (CPS) are required to implement the duties and responsibilities of CPD by assessing immediate safety of children and initiating appropriate levels of protection needed, observing family situations relating to allegations of abuse and neglect, interviewing alleged victims and perpetrators, and placing children in protective custody if necessary; and
WHEREAS, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is in a unique position to help support CPS as they perform their duties related to home visits, safety assessments, safety and wellbeing checks, taking youth into protective custody, and other responsibilities that require visiting a client’s home; and
WHEREAS, DCFS desires to collaborate with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office to enhance safety protocols and measures for CPS when they conduct required home visits, safety assessments, safety and well-being checks, taking youth into protective custody, and other responsibilities which requires visiting a client’s home; and
WHEREAS, the County and the DuPage County Sheriff have an interest in protecting the safety and welfare of the people of DuPage County, including CPS and the children and adults involved in CPD investigations in DuPage County; and
WHEREAS, a strong collaboration between DCFS and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office to enhance safety protocols and measures will help support CPS in performing their job duties and responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office will assign a Deputy Sheriff to accompany and assist CPS during home visits, safety assessments, safety and well-being checks, taking youth into protective custody, and other responsibilities which requires CPS to visit a client’s home.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of the County of DuPage that:
1. The County Board Chair of the County of DuPage is authorized to enter into the attached INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.
2. The signature of James Mendrick, Sheriff of DuPage County, affixed on the attached INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT is hereby ratified by the County Board of the County of DuPage to the terms of said INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.
3. The "INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF DUPAGE, on behalf of the SHERIFF OF DUPAGE COUNTY AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES" be attached hereto and made part of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk transmit ratified copies of this Resolution, with copies of said INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT, to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (Attn: Director’s Office, 60 East Van Buren, Ste. 1339, Chicago, IL 60605); Sheriff James Mendrick; the Auditor; the Treasurer; the Chief Financial Officer; and the Human Resources Department.
end
Enacted and approved this 10th day of March, 2026 at Wheaton, Illinois.
________________________________
DEBORAH A. CONROY, CHAIR
DU PAGE COUNTY BOARD
Attest: ___________________________________
JEAN KACZMAREK, COUNTY CLERK