SB2197 Summary

• Expands the Office of Independent Juvenile Ombudsman's jurisdiction to include county-operated juvenile detention centers, in addition to the Department of Juvenile Justice facilities.

• Requires county-operated juvenile detention centers to provide necessary administrative services, space, and full unannounced access to the Ombudsman for confidential meetings with youth.

• Adds county-operated juvenile detention centers to conflict of interest restrictions, preventing Ombudsman appointees from having financial interests in or employment relationships with these facilities within one year prior to appointment.

• Mandates reporting of serious incidents at county-operated juvenile detention centers to the chief judge of the applicable judicial circuit and Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, in addition to state officials.

• Requires the Ombudsman to provide data on county-operated juvenile detention centers to local judicial authorities and make findings publicly available.

• Effective date: January 1, 2025.