Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA)

Reporting: To report suspected child sexual abuse:

• Mandated reporters should contact the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), at 1.800.252.2873 or 800.25.ABUSE.
• If the incident is an emergency, contact Public Safety, at 847-735-5555, or dial 911 for local police.
• To provide notice of a mandatory report of sexual abuse made to DCFS, contact LaShun McGhee, the Title TX Coordinator (lmcghee@lakeforest.edu).

For purposes of the Minors on Campus Policy, faculty, staff, student employees, volunteers, independent contractors, and third-party operators participating in covered programs are mandated reporters based on the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA). If you learn of sexual abuse while working with minors you are to report the incident. Fill out this form to acknowledge your status as a mandated reporter.

You may report directly to the Department of Children and Family Services as outlined below or to LFC designated internal offices. The 2020 Amendment of the IL- ANCRA, allows an organization’s designee to report sexual abuse on behalf of the organization.

• Internal Campus Reporting: Questions regarding reporting obligations or the circumstance under which a report of sexual abuse is required may be addressed to the Title IX Office , titleix@lakeforest.edu, 847-735-6009 prior to contacting external entities.
• External Campus Reporting: The College requires all mandated reporters to report to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS: 1.800.252.2873 or 800.25.ABUSE) if they have reasonable cause to believe a child known to them in their official capacity may be abused or neglected. In addition, before making a report, any mandated reporter who intends to make such a report must promptly notify the head of their academic unit or immediate supervisor (unless this person is unavailable), or head of sponsoring unit, and the Title IX Coordinator that a report has been made, as well as the underlying circumstances that caused the report, and document in writing that the report has been made.

The College prohibits retaliation against any person who in good faith makes or participates in making a report of child abuse or neglect under this policy. The College also prohibits the intentional filing of false reports of child abuse or neglect. Illinois law protects the identity of mandated reporters and gives them immunity from liability for making good faith reports, although reporters may be obligated to testify if a case becomes subject to legal or judicial action.