A juvenile male standing behind a chain link fence

About

The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (the Commission) serves as the federally mandated State Advisory Group to the Governor, the General Assembly and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The Commission’s goals are to ensure that:

  • Illinois maintains full compliance with the core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act both to ensure continued access to federal funding and to ensure application of humane and effective practices with youth in contact with the juvenile justice system;
  • Youth do not enter or penetrate the state’s juvenile justice system unnecessarily, particularly due to unaddressed family, education, mental health, substance abuse, trauma, racial or ethnic disparities or other needs;                  
  • Youth who do enter the juvenile justice system receive developmentally appropriate, individualized support and services that foster appropriate accountability while building strengths and creating positive opportunities; and  
  • Youth leave the juvenile justice system with positive outcomes which in turn enhance public safety.

The Commission has 25 members who have been appointed by the Governor. They have training, experience, and special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency or the administration of justice. Members serve three-year terms and until such time as they have been reappointed or replaced.

The Commission has a statutory responsibility to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly that highlights the State’s accomplishments, its most urgent challenges relative to juvenile justice in Illinois and recommendations for addressing those issues.