Juvenile Justice System and Risk Factor Data - Illinois Criminal ...

• Competency development. Restorative justice seeks to increase the pro-social skills of
offenders. Addressing factors that lead youth to engage in delinquent behavior and
building on the strengths evident in each youth increases their competencies.
Traditionally, the focus of the juvenile justice system encompasses a response to offenders and
their needs and does not balance them with the needs of victims and communities. Well-known
programmatic applications of the philosophy, such as family group conferencing, victim offender
conferencing, and peacemaking circle processes, can be implemented in a manner wholly or
partially inconsistent with the restorative justice philosophy.
Department of Juvenile Justice
In 2005, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to create the Illinois Department of
Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), separating juveniles from the adult Department of Corrections (P.A. 94-
0696). Upon implementation in July 2006, Illinois joined 39 other states with separate youth
corrections system.
The mission of IDJJ is “to treat juvenile offenders in an age-appropriate manner, provide
rehabilitative treatment, hold youth accountable for their actions, and equip them with
competencies to become productive members of society.” 2 IDJJ was created to be revenue
neutral, meaning that their previous budget was transferred from the Illinois Department of
Corrections. However, years of budget cuts and reduced revenues have posed many obstacles to
the implementation of necessary programming.
Despite constraints in funding, IDJJ has reduced the number of uses of administrative
confinements as a disciplinary measure, and lengths of time for which they are used. 3
Additionally, IDJJ is developing an extensive aftercare system model. However, attempts to
make comprehensive and significant changes are still hindered by lack of funding and resources.
9