IL HB5041

Department of Juvenile Justice assumes all rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Juvenile Division of the Department of Corrections, with personnel, records, property, and appropriations transferred on the effective date of the 94th General Assembly.

New Department of Juvenile Justice hires involved in youth rehabilitation, training, supervision, or security must be over age 21 and hold a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university, with exceptions for security, clerical, food service, and maintenance staff without direct youth contact.

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and Department of Juvenile Justice may permit county juvenile detention center personnel to be hired with less than a bachelor's degree, including those with an associate's degree or at least 60 completed college credit hours.

Department must collect ethnic and racial background data in compliance with Section 4.5 of the Criminal Identification Act and may enter into intergovernmental agreements allowing adjudicated minors to participate in county juvenile impact incarceration programs.

Department of Juvenile Justice shall implement a wellness program for staff and service providers, including response teams to support employees affected by duty-related and non-duty-related events, with voluntary and confidential access.