IL HR0138

Urges the Department of Human Services and Cook County to enter into all Redeploy Illinois agreements permitted under P.A. 98-0060 to serve at-risk youth aged 13-18 in their home communities instead of committing them to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Redeploy Illinois program costs approximately $6,776 annually per youth compared to $111,000 per youth in the Department of Juvenile Justice, representing significant cost savings to the state.

The program has diverted 1,232 youth through 2012, saving the state approximately $60,000,000 in unnecessary incarceration costs while reducing Department of Juvenile Justice commitments by 54% in participating counties.

Services provided include case management, court advocacy, education assistance, counseling, and crisis intervention addressing underlying needs such as mental illness, substance abuse, and learning disabilities.

P.A. 98-0060 allows the Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board to authorize agreements with counties exceeding 2,000,000 population to encompass geographical subdivisions such as police districts, court calendars, municipal districts, or municipalities.