SB2156 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10595 RLC 20671 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2156

Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Rachel Ventura

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

730 ILCS 5/3-2.5-105 new

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Juvenile Detention Center Strategic Utilization Task Force to review and study the necessity of juvenile detention centers, complaints that arise out of the county juvenile detention centers in the State, and community-based alternatives to juvenile detention. Includes provisions about Task Force membership and duties. Provides that on or before January 1, 2026, the Task Force shall publish a final report of its findings and recommendations. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by adding Section 3-2.5-105 as follows:

(730 ILCS 5/3-2.5-105 new)

Sec. 3-2.5-105. Juvenile Detention Center Strategic Utilization Task Force.

(a) The Juvenile Detention Center Strategic Utilization Task Force is created. The purpose of the Task Force is to review and study the necessity of juvenile detention centers, complaints that arise out of the county juvenile detention centers in the State, and community-based alternatives to juvenile detention.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) A member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) A member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3) A member of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(4) A member of the House appointed by the Minority Leader of the House.

(5) A member appointed by the Director of Juvenile Justice.

(6) A member appointed by the Director of Human Rights.

(7) A member appointed by the Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson.

(8) A member appointed by the Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson who represents an organization that advocates for a community-based rehabilitation or systems impacted individuals.

(9) A member appointed by the Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson who represents an organization that advocates for juvenile justice reform.

(10) A member appointed by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission.

(11) A member appointed by the Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

(12) Two members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor who are members of a county board of a county operating a county detention facility.

(13) Two members appointed by the Director of Juvenile Justice who are over the age 18 and who have served any amount of time in a county juvenile detention facility.

(c) Appointments to the Task Force shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly. Members shall serve without compensation.

(d) The Task Force shall meet at the call of a cochair at least quarterly to fulfill its duties. The members appointed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve as cochairs of the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall:

(1) engage community organizations, interested groups, and members of the public for the purpose of assessing:

(A) community-based alternatives to detention and the adoption and implementation of such alternatives;

(B) the needs of juveniles detained in county detention facilities;

(C) strategic planning for a transition away from juvenile detention facilities; and

(D) if there would be a benefit for the State to run detention centers for persons awaiting sentencing or court determination for extreme cases in lieu of counties providing this service;

(2) review available research and data on the benefits of community-based alternatives to detention versus the benefits of juvenile detention;

(3) review complaints and instances of noncompliance arising out of each county juvenile detention facility in the State; and

(4) make recommendations or suggestions for changes to the County Shelter Care and Detention Home Act and the Unified Code of Corrections, including changes and improvements to the juvenile detention system.

(f) On or before January 1, 2026, the Task Force shall publish a final report of its findings and recommendations. The report shall, at a minimum, detail findings and recommendations related to the duties of the Task Force and the following:

(1) the process and standards used to determine whether a juvenile will be detained in a county facility;

(2) information and recommendations on detention facility standards, including how to ensure compliance with minimum standards, which facilities are chronically noncompliant and reasons for noncompliance, including specific instances of noncompliance, and penalties for noncompliance; and

(3) strategic planning suggestions to transition away from juvenile detention.

The final report shall be submitted to the General Assembly, the Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Judge of each circuit court operating a county detention facility, the county board of each county operating a county detention facility, and the Office of the Attorney General.

(g) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide administrative support for the Task Force.

(h) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2027.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.