Child First Reform Task Force

The Child First Reform Task Force was created in statute by PA 104-0449. It is tasked to review and study the current state of juvenile detention centers across the State. They shall also advise on the creation of a Youth Advisory Agency to assist youth through the juvenile justice process. The Task Force shall also make recommendations for policy changes at the Department of Juvenile Justice to support child-first directives aligned with the policies and practices established in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Task Force shall consist of 21 members.

Members of the Task Force:

Sen. Rachel Ventura

Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.

Rep. Maurice West

Rob Vickery, Director, Illinois Dept. of Juvenile Justice

Joshua Brooks

Emmanuel Andre

Jason Keeler

Erin Johnson

Rick Velasquez

Lisa Jacobs

Kyle Freeman

Commissioner Jessica Vasquez

Carla Stalnaker

Ariana Correa

Marshan Allen

Denzel Burke

Special Agent Jordan Adams

Betsy Buttell

Dan Hunt

Mike Davis

CHILD FIRST REFORM TASK FORCE MEETING

Date: October 27, 2026     

Time: 10 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.  

Location:

60 E. Van Buren St., Room 318 (Chicago) or

2715 W. Monroe St. (Springfield) or

Virtual: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m3a405d165ad1e910850447a1cf969da1

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introduction

o  Welcome remarks – Luis Klein, IDJJ Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs

o Introductions

2. Review of Statutes and mandate of the Task Force - Luis

        o Review of Illinois General Assembly - Public Act 104-0449

        o Review of mandatory trainings for Task Force members

        o Measuring Success

- How will the Task Force measure success? What items are folks excited to work on?

3. Selection of Co-Chairs

4. Presentation by Kelvin Doherty, Youth Justice Agency, Northern Ireland

        o The statute mandates this group to explore creating a “Youth Advisory Agency”

        o Northern Ireland’s Youth Justice Agency is the branch of Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice tasked with guiding youth in conflict with the law from the point after arrest, including delivery of community-based, court ordered or diversionary services, restorative justice conferences as well as operating the country’s only secure juvenile facility.

5. New Business

o Call for new business topics from Task Force

6. Public Comments

o Opportunity for public participation (2 minutes per person)

7. Adjournment

Contact Information

Meeting Organizer: Luis Klein

Phone Number: 312-881-0753

Email: luis.klein@illinois.gov