DETROIT — For the last 14 years, convicted violent felons have been serving as babysitters and child care professionals in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Even worse, the felons have been paid by the state through a government subsidy program meant to help poor families that cannot afford childcare.

Cornelius Osborne, who was convicted of a multitude of felonies including two rapes, kidnapping, robbery, and failing to register as a sex offender, was paid nearly $5,000 over a two-year span by the state before being convicted of drug trafficking. Illinois taxpayers footed the bill for Osborne and many others.