What is required under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Children Reporting Act to initiate an investigation?

The requirement under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Children Reporting Act to initiate an investigation centers on the presence of a substantial risk of harm to the child. This standard emphasizes that an investigation can begin if there is reasonable cause to believe that the child’s safety is at risk. The act aims to protect children from potential abuse or neglect by considering the circumstances that could threaten their welfare. Thus, the recognition of a substantial risk becomes a priority for officials tasked with ensuring child safety and well-being.

Other options may represent important factors or circumstances surrounding child welfare cases, but they do not serve as the foundational criteria for starting an investigation as defined by the Act. For instance, a verbal report from the child or witness testimony could provide valuable context, but they are not prerequisites for investigation initiation. Similarly, while a history of past domestic violence incidents might contribute to concerns for a child's safety, without a current assessment of risk, it does not automatically trigger an investigation under the Act's guidelines.