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Aug. 2024-Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Increasing Opportunity for Juveniles Seeking Expungement- SB3463 removes barriers to expungement through creation of an automatic process. READ MORE 

News & Media

Select Press Releases & Statements

Monarch Youth Center announces name of alternative high school

On October 1, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) School District #428 announced Nelson Mandela Academy as the newly chosen name of the alternative high school located inside Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln.

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Monarch Youth Center celebrates inaugural high school graduation

On June 29, three youth in the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) became the first high school graduates of the alternative high school at the new  Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln.

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Incarcerated Youth Run Club celebrates first 5K run/walk

ST. CHARLES- On Saturday, April 25, nine youth in the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) had their first experience participating in a 5K run/walk. The race took place on the secure campus of IDJJ’s PEACE Center in St. Charles. The run club is a new addition to Project FLEX, NIU’s extensive programming partnership with IDJJ.

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Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice opens Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln to serve youth in central Illinois

LINCOLN – Today the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) celebrated the grand opening of a new youth center that will serve youth from central Illinois who are in state custody. The Monarch Youth Center has a 30 bed capacity and is located on the site of the former Lincoln Developmental Center.

The youth center is a result of Gov. Pritzker & Lt. Gov. Stratton’s 21st Century Transformation Plan that was announced in 2020. The plan focuses on reducing the harm of incarceration by transitioning youth to smaller, regional residential centers closer to their communities, and investing in community wraparound support and intervention services for justice-involved youth. 9.4.25

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Youth in IDJJ custody earn vocational certifications with help of community partners

CHICAGO, IL- The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) today announced that youth in custody earned certifications in various career fields, including solar installation, personal training, shipping and receiving, construction, and culinary arts.  Classes offered by community partners on topics such as public speaking, podcast production, music production, audio engineering, and constitutional law also contributed to skill building and knowledge for high school graduates working to make the most of their time while incarcerated. 8.13.25

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Northern Illinois University’s Project Flex Hosts On-campus Basketball Tournament for Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Youth

DEKALB, IL – Last month, Northern Illinois University (NIU) hosted a basketball tournament for youth from each of the five Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) youth centers. The tournament was organized by Project FLEX (Fitness, Leadership, EXperience), an initiative of the NIU College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. 4.14.25

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Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to receive young adult transfers from Illinois Department of Corrections to provide high school educational services

On August 9, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 426, which grants the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) the ability to transfer emerging adults who qualify for high school educational services from an IDOC facility to an IDJJ facility. 8.15.24

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Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice responds to fire at Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville

The Illinois Youth Center at Warrenville, a secure facility of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), sustained significant fire damage to its main building yesterday afternoon. 7.16.24

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Statement on fire at Illinois Youth Center at Warrenville- July 15, 2024

At around noon today, a fire occurred in the kitchen of the main building at the Warrenville Illinois Youth Center. All staff and youth were safely evacuated, though one staff person was taken to the emergency room for treatment from smoke inhalation. As of 2:00 p.m., the Warrenville Fire Department is still working to extinguish the fire. The kitchen, which is used by dietary staff to prepare and provide meals for youth, has sustained significant damage. The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is working to relocate youth to available housing units at other IDJJ youth centers. The safety of youth and staff is the highest priority of IDJJ. More information will be shared as it becomes available. 
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to Serve High School Graduates at Newly Repurposed Career & Education Center

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) celebrated the grand opening of a newly repurposed secure youth facility today 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. 3.27.24

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Gov. Pritzker Appoints Robert Vickery as Next Director of Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

Governor Pritzker has announced Robert Vickery as the acting director of IDJJ, pending senate approval. 3.26.24

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Statement regarding Director Mueller’s appointment as director of DCFS

Gov. Pritzker recently announced DJJ Director Heidi Mueller as the next director of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Read DJJ's statement below. 1.4.24

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Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice celebrates first youth vocational certifications with Greater West Town Project

Young adults in the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) are investing in their futures by taking advantage of vocational training and certification opportunities offered by Greater West Town Project (GWTP). 11.2.23

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Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice wins national award for family engagement

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. 8.22.23

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