A NEW EFFORT TO TRANSFORM THE STATE’S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS UNDERWAY. 

THE THREE PHASE PLAN AIMS TO REDUCE THE HARM OF BEING LOCKED UP SAYS ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE DIRECTOR HEIDI MUELLER.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JULIANA STRATTON SAYS THAT STARTS WITH MOVING YOUTH OFFENDERS TO REGIONAL, MORE DORM-LIKE FACILITIES INSTEAD OF PRISONS.

THE PLAN WILL TRANSITION YOUTH OFFENDERS TO SMALLER, REGIONAL CENTERS, WITH INTERVENTION SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.