(The Center Square) – The number of missing foster children on the radar of the state’s child welfare agency will be clarified this week as a potential Illinois Statehouse candidate looks for answers.

Public records obtained by Bailey Templeton from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services show in 2023, 16 children did not return to either previous placement or a new one. That number jumped 935% to 166 missing children in 2024.

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An agency spokesperson told The Center Square the numbers are “not completely accurate.” Updated numbers were not immediately availa

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