Illinois is a Decentralized State.  Delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level in Illinois.

How is detention organized? 

There are 16 juvenile detention centers in Illinois. Circuit Courts administer detention services that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts partially subsidizes.

Juvenile police officers may make formal or informal "station adjustments." The juvenile must admit involvement in the offense for a formal adjustment to occur. Probation officers can also divert cases by making "non-judicial probation adjustments."

Victims of juvenile offenders have the same rights of victims of adult offenders in Illinois.

Circuit Courts administer probation supervision through local probation departments. In larger jurisdictions, a probation officer generally maintains a delinquent caseload. In smaller jurisdictions, a probation officer may supervise both juveniles and adults.

Individuals interested in becoming probation officers must first receive certification from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts Probation Division in order to be hired. The Probation Division certifies candidates for employment if they possess a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social work, or a related social science.

The court can commit 13 to 21 year olds to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). The court can also send a youth to IDJJ for a maximum 90-day court evaluation.

The Department of Juvenile Justice determines the release date. The Prisoner Review Board, an independent agency, makes parole decisions.

Juvenile Field Services, under the Department of Juvenile Justice's Juvenile Division, coordinates aftercare programs and services through three district offices.  The development of a reintegration service plan for youth begins at initial assignment to a youth center.

Illinois’ purpose clause reflects Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) philosophies.  The BARJ movement advocates that juvenile courts give balanced attention to three primary interests: public safety, individual accountability to the victims and community, and the development in offenders of those skills necessary to live law-abiding and productive lives.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 16

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

Most detention decisions are guided by the use of a standard screening instrument from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, but each county may modify the instrument to fit its needs. Probation departments in 21 counties have adopted the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) to determine levels of probation supervision.