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The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for visitors to IDJJ facilities has been suspended as of 1/12/23. Visitors may be required to complete a rapid COVID-19 test when they arrive at the facility. 

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

County juvenile detention centers do NOT fall under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. LEARN MORE

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) celebrated the grand opening of a newly repurposed secure youth facility that will specialize in vocational, career, educational, and life skills development opportunities for high school graduates ages 17-20 who are in the custody of IDJJ.

Hiring in Lincoln, IL

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is now hiring for our new Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln. 

The Juvenile Justice Specialist position plays a key role in facilitating this mission, which is to mission is to build youth skills and strengthen families by promoting community safety and positive youth outcomes. .

If you are interested in being part of an environment that is committed to preparing youth for successful reintegration into their communities through programming, treatment, and services while providing them with safety, security, and accountability, we welcome you to apply for the Juvenile Justice Specialist position. 

**Please note that applicants who don't have access to a printer can pick up an application packet at the Lincoln Park District beginning July 10th. 

MORE INFORMATION

Mission

The mission of the Illinois Dept. of Juvenile Justice is to build youth skills and strengthen families to promote community safety and positive youth outcomes. 

Transformation

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is transitioning to a new, evidence-based model designed to reduce the harm of incarceration. To learn more about the changes coming to IDJJ, visit our Transformation page.

IDJJ Director Mueller and her team presented an update on the Transformation on Nov. 1, 2023. 

Barbara Allen-Hagen 2023 Award Recipient 

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) announced August 21st that the Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Pere Marquette in Grafton was awarded the 2023 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen (BAH) Award. The BAH award is a national award presented annually to one juvenile corrections facility and one juvenile detention facility. BAH recipients must show exceptional progress in their achievement of a self-identified area of growth.

This year’s BAH Award for a corrections facility was presented to IYC Pere Marquette for their exemplary work in connecting families with their youth who are currently under the care of IDJJ. Officials from IDJJ accepted the award at the Performance based Standards (PbS) awards gala held in Philadelphia on August 11, 2023. READ MORE

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The award is given annually to one correction, detention/assessment and community residential program that "best exemplifies PbS’ commitment to treating all youths as one of our own and used the PbS improvement model to achieve positive outcomes for youths, staff and families."

IDJJ's Pere Marquette facility was selected as the 2023 winner of the award for work in family engagement. (see above)

IDJJ's Warrenville facility was selected as the 2021 winner of the award for comprehensive work to implement best practices to ensure the facility is a safe and healthy environment for youths and staff. 

DJJ School District #428 Educator Receives Award of Meritorious Service from the Illinois State Board of Education

IDJJ School District #428 teacher Beverly Singleton was recently honored with an Award of Meritorious Service at the Illinois State Board of Education's  annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Banquet . She is pictured with Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent of Education. The awards banquet celebrates the exemplary Illinois educators who go above and beyond to make positive impacts in their school communities.

Ms. Singleton teaches Career & Technical Education at IDJJ's Phoenix Emerging Adult Career & Education (PEACE) Center at St. Charles. She first came to IDJJ in 2018 to help youth work toward earning their GED. Her background in banking and commercial lending, however, has given her a passion for teaching youth about finances and fiscal responsibility, which is a big part of her work with the youth today. She also teaches career exploration courses, helping youth begin to plan career paths that will contribute to a more successful future.

Congratulations, Ms. Singleton! Thanks for all you do for our youth!

Community Partners

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is grateful to the many wonderful community partner organizations and individuals that provide educational, recreational and therapeutic services and opportunities to our youth. The below organizations provide services such as art therapy, restorative justice programs, literacy training, mentoring, tutoring, animal therapy, violence prevention, vocational training, musical theater, peer mentoring, substance abuse prevention, oral communication skills, recreational and athletic activities, higher education opportunities, and more. Click on the logos to learn more about our community partners.

*Partner organizations are still being updated. Email dominique.newman@illinois.gov if your organization is missing from this list.