HB2589 Summary

• Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to assign a caseworker to attend any hearing involving a youth in departmental care and custody who is placed on aftercare release, including sanction violation hearings and aftercare revocation hearings.

• Modifies provisions regarding delinquent minors in departmental custody by lowering the age threshold from 16 to 15 years old for minors committed under Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, effective January 1, 2017.

• Maintains restrictions prohibiting placement of criminally charged or adjudicated delinquent minors in departmental custody except for specified circumstances: minors below the age threshold, those with an independent basis of abuse/neglect/dependency, or those with reinstated wardship pursuant to court order.