tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23816706.post2724910669384236491..comments2023-08-18T03:02:44.979-05:00Comments on Illinois Issues blog: Delving deeper into the budget cutsIllinois Issues Statehouse bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17857188978913308313noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23816706.post-13804313875332781532010-08-10T10:35:35.762-05:002010-08-10T10:35:35.762-05:00There are many additional ways in which DCFS could...There are many additional ways in which DCFS could reduce costs.<br /><br />The agency employs an excessive number of mid-level managers, especially in Cook County, where political influence is strong. There are three Cook County subregions, each with its own dual management structure--at each leavel there is a manager for "operations" and a manager for child protection. These jobs should be consolidated. The caseload is much much lower than in the mid-nineties, when this dual management structure was created, and one management position would suffice combining operations and child protection in each subregion. <br /><br />As a matter of fact, it is not clear that Cook County needs three DCFS subregions. Once, Cook was only one state subregion until the money-mad 90's when the Republicans under Jess McDonald and Governor Ryan vastly expanded the number of offices, both physically and administratives. Taxpayers now support huge DCFS offices in Harvey, Skokie, and the south Loop for DCFS, plus a pricey office in the Thompson bldg.. Much more consolidation is needed. It's a huge waste of taxpayer money. <br /><br />Also, the agency lets millions of dollars of contracts, both federal and state funded, but in many cases the actual deliverables are highly questionable. Nobody checks to see if the contractors are doing the work. In a surprising number of cases, they aren't. <br /><br />DCFS could cut much more that 30 million and still provide high-quality care to children if<br />the made real, instead of pretend, cuts in their extremely overpriced administrative service line-contracts, buildings, and management staffing. Unfortunately, DCFS is heavily politicized, and politically connected contractors and vendors profit greatly from the status quo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com