Juvenile Justice System and Risk Factor Data - Illinois Criminal ...
Juvenile Justice System and Risk Factor Data - Illinois Criminal ...
Juvenile Justice System and Risk Factor Data - Illinois Criminal ...
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Figure 3<br />
Poverty rates for <strong>Illinois</strong> youth ages 0 to 17 by region, 1997–2007<br />
25,000<br />
Rate per 100,000 youth ages 0 to 17<br />
20,000<br />
15,000<br />
10,000<br />
5,000<br />
0<br />
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007<br />
Calendar year<br />
Cook Northern Central Southern <strong>Illinois</strong><br />
Source: U.S. Census Bureau<br />
Temporary assistance to needy families<br />
The United States Department of Health <strong>and</strong> Human Services (DHHS) grants states federal funds<br />
to implement the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program. In <strong>Illinois</strong>, these<br />
funds are distributed locally by IDHS. Citizens apply for assistance at their local TANF agency<br />
<strong>and</strong>, if they meet certain requirements, are offered temporary financial assistance to help pay for<br />
shelter, utilities, <strong>and</strong> other expenses. The TANF cash grant is separate from the Food Stamp<br />
Program. In <strong>Illinois</strong>, the average monthly TANF cash grant is $239. 12<br />
From FY02 to FY07, a significant reduction was seen in the average monthly number of families<br />
with children ages 0 to 18 in <strong>Illinois</strong> receiving TANF. In FY02, an average of 106,550 youth<br />
were living in families that received TANF monthly, while in FY07, an average of 70,132 youth<br />
received TANF monthly, a reduction of 34 percent.<br />
A reduction also was seen nationally in youth recipients of TANF funding. This drastic reduction<br />
is largely attributed to the five-year time limitations placed on TANF recipients in the 1996<br />
welfare reforms. (See Personal Responsibility <strong>and</strong> Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of<br />
1996, Pub. L. No. 104-193, 110 STAT. 2105). Therefore, TANF data may not reflect reduced<br />
need, but increased restrictions of benefits.<br />
In October 2002, six TANF offices in <strong>Illinois</strong> were closed <strong>and</strong> counties started combining<br />
services. In February 2005, five more TANF offices were closed <strong>and</strong> TANF services were<br />
combined with other counties.<br />
14