Illinois Code § 18

§ 18.

Cross-reporting. (a) An animal control officer, Department investigator, or approved humane investigator who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. (b) Investigation Specialists, Intact Family Specialists, and Placement Specialists employed by the Department of Children and Family Services who reasonably believe that an animal observed by them when in their professional or official capacity is being abused or neglected in violation of this Act must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare. However, the Department of Children and Family Services may not discipline an Investigation Specialist, an Intact Family Specialist, or a Placement Specialist for failing to make such a report if the Specialist determines that making the report would interfere with the performance of his or her child welfare protection duties. (c) Except for willful and wanton misconduct, any person, institution, or agency described in subsection (a) or (b), participating in good faith in the making of a report or referral, or in the investigation of such a report or referral, or in making a disclosure of information concerning reports of abuse or neglect under this Act, shall have immunity from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result by reason of such actions. (d) The identity of any person who reports animal abuse or neglect under subsection (a) or (b) shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as specifically authorized by this Act or other applicable law. (e) A home rule unit may not regulate the reporting of child abuse or neglect in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Section. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State. (Source: P.A. 96-494, eff. 8-14-09.)