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 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
Recently appointed by Illinois’ Governor and Lt. Governor, the Commission welcomes its five newest members. Members are appointed for their training, experience, and special knowledge around prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency or the administration of justice. Read bios of our newest members below: Briana Payton: Payton is a recent 2020 graduate of the University of
Illinois Governor Appoints Five New Commissioners Read Full Article »
As a federally mandated State Advisory Group leading a statewide movement to a fairer, more effective, collaborative juvenile justice system, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission recommends Illinois takes the following six steps now to start reducing the harms of juvenile justice system involvement, which are borne disproportionately by youth of color: Eliminating detention for children 10 – 12
A Call to Action: Racial Equity in Juvenile Justice Read Full Article »
Concerned about the spread of coronavirus in juvenile detention facilities, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission issued a letter to Illinois’ judicial branch leaders. In the letter, the Commission requested action and provided recommended steps for protecting the wellbeing of young people, families, and caregivers in contact with the justice systems across the state. Read the letter
As of April 1, 2020, Drea Hall assumed the role of Executive Director of the Commission where she will lead and organize the Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) portfolio related to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention programs and services. Since July 2019, Drea has been Director of the IDHS Office of Strategy, Equity, and
Commission appoints new Executive Director Drea Hall Read Full Article »
While analyzing data in 2017, Morgan County’s Juvenile Justice Council noticed that youth who had received truancy tickets, were on probation, or were assigned to community service had an increased risk of further system involvement. In addition, this problem was disproportionately impacting youth of color. Active since 2017, Morgan County’s Juvenile Justice Council is housed
In 2018, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) reported seeing an increase in the number of youths being committed to the IDJJ from Winnebago County, making it one of the top counties for committing the most youth to IDJJ in Illinois. Additionally, youth of color comprised the majority of these commitments, with Black youth
The Commission is pleased to announce that the Pritzker administration appointed nine-year IJJC Commissioner Rick Velasquez to serve as its new Chair following his June 2019 retirement as CEO of Youth Outreach Services (YOS). Mr. Velasquez succeeds Judge George Timberlake, who served as Commission Chair for nine years. Mr. Velasquez’s career has been committed to seeking community-based
The Commission welcomes new Chair Rick Velasquez Read Full Article »
Nine years after he was appointed Chair of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission in 2010 by Governor Pat Quinn, Judge George Timberlake announced his retirement. Under Judge Timberlake’s leadership, the Commission transformed itself into a key player for leading, funding, and supporting fundamental community-based juvenile justice reform in Illinois. “It is impossible to describe everything
After nine years as Commission Chair, Judge George Timberlake retires Read Full Article »
