Addressing the Intersections of Youth Legal System Involvement and Homelessness: Principles for Change
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Newsroom
Commissioner Updates: The Commission Welcomes Jelani R. Floyd and Tamela Meehan
Jelani R. Floyd, licensed attorney, and National Basketball Players Association Certified Player agent is a co-founder of the premier sports agency firm Beyond Athlete Management. Jelani also empowers current and future professional athletes through his weekly newsletter, Own Your Talent™ which provides athletes with insight and knowledge to maximize the business side of sports and …
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In memory of Commissioner George Hill
From former Board Chairman, Hon. George Timberlake: “George Hill was a friend to all those individuals who were advocating for change in the world of juvenile justice. What we sometimes forget is that he became a voice for examining what the justice system did to and for kids when he was 32 as a member …
Juvenile Justice Reform Efforts Based on Data, Not Politics
As of November 2020, we know that at least 258 children ages 13 and younger have been held in juvenile detention in Illinois. In addition, nearly half of all Illinois youths held in detention in June 2020 were there for non-felony offenses, and 60% of the total were Black, according to monthly juvenile detention reports …
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Commissioner Esther Franco-Payne recognized with Chicago Black women leaders
The Chicago Tribune recently sat down to talk with local Black women leaders about their leadership and what it means to the communities they serve. One of these influential Black women is Commissioner Esther Franco-Payne, executive director of Cabrini Green Legal Aid. Since 1999, she has been working in her local community to affect lasting …
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Michelle Mbekeani with Cook County State's Attorney's Office Appointed as New Commissioner
Michelle Mbekeani is a Policy Advisor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Prior to that, Michelle was a Staff Attorney at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. There she focused on police reform, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. At the Shriver Center Michelle authored a report, Handcuffs in Hallways, that did an in-depth …
Commissioner Shelley Davis appointed as President & CEO of The Coleman Foundation
The Coleman Foundation Board of Directors announced today its appointment of Commissioner Shelley A. Davis as the new President and CEO. Davis is a lifelong Chicagoan with over 25 years of experience in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. Shelley is committed to social justice, equity, and serving as a bridge between community and resources. Davis’ …
Trial & sentencing of juveniles as adults increases harm & devalues youth potential for rehabilitation
When he was 15 years old, Illinois Juvenile Justice Commissioner Marshan Allen received a sentence of life-without-parole for an offense that occurred when he was 15 years old. After serving 24 years, 3 months, and 4 days, a court ruling allowed Allen to be released in December 2016. Now four years out, Allen has been …
Pritzker administration announces new community-based approach to transform juvenile justice in Illinois
The Commission is excited to report that Governor J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton released a new plan they say will transform the state’s juvenile justice system over the next four years. The Model — called 21st Century Illinois Transformation Model — focuses on reducing the harm of incarceration by transitioning youth to small, …
Council Spotlight: Mitigating the Effects of COVID-19 Through Community Partnership
Council Background: Active since 2011, The St. Clair County Juvenile Justice Council is housed in the St. Clair County’s State’s Attorney Office. Under the leadership of their Coordinator, Tammy Vaughn-Walker, the Council has built a robust membership that includes a Teen Court program, youth community-based organizations, the juvenile detention center, the probation department, local school districts, faith-based …