Public Accountability Report

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) works to provide treatment and services through a comprehensive continuum of individualized educational, vocational, social, emotional, and basic life skills that will enable youth to avoid delinquent futures and become productive, fulfilled citizens. The Department is working towards implementation of the 21st Century Illinois Transformation Model, which focuses on reducing the harm of incarceration by transitioning youth to small, regional residential centers, investing significantly in community wraparound support and intervention services for justice-involved youth, and increasing financial support for victim services in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence. In 2025, IDJJ opened a new facility in Lincoln, IL to serve youth in the central region of the state.

Improvements to Education

IDJJ will be focused on enhancing the quality of education for committed youth. School District 428 continues to work collaboratively with the State Board of Education to develop an enhanced educational curriculum and specialized programming and services for committed youth that ensures federal and state educational program compliance. IDJJ will continue to recruit educators and expand its vocational education opportunities for youth in custody. In 2024, DJJ transitioned one facility to the Phoenix Emerging Adults Career & Education Center (PEACE) to equip graduate young adults ages 17-20 with vocational, career, educational, and life skill development opportunities in a setting that is developmentally appropriate for young adults. In 2025, DJJ youth earned certifications in various career fields, including solar installation, personal training, shipping and receiving, construction, and culinary arts.  Classes offered by community partners on topics such as public speaking, podcast production, music production, audio engineering, and constitutional law also contributed to skill building and knowledge for high school graduates working to make the most of their time while incarcerated. DJJ is also addressing the needs of individuals in Illinois Department of Corrections custody who need high school educational services. IDJJ will also be transitioning IYC Harrisburg to serve emerging adults currently in IDOC custody who need high school educational services, consistent with Public Act 103-0875.

Improvements to Rehabilitative Services

IDJJ will enhance interventions that are proven to reduce recidivism and produce positive youth outcomes. Using the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) model, IDJJ has identified areas of the highest risk for our youth and evidence-based programs designed to address those risks. IDJJ is expanding its rehabilitative programming, including trauma-informed care and mental health services. In 2025, DJJ’s YASI screening instrument was updated to provide more accurate risk assessments for youth remanded to our care. In 2026, IDJJ will be taking steps to fully implement the mobile intake process to better assess and place youth according to individual youth needs.