IL HB1178

Raises the minimum age for commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice from 13 to 14 years old, applicable only for felony offenses or first degree murder

Establishes a phased approach for juvenile detention: from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, minors 12 and older may be detained if secure custody is immediately necessary due to serious public safety threats or documented failure to appear at court hearings within the past 12 months

After July 1, 2027, limits detention of 12-year-olds to those charged with first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery with a firearm, or aggravated vehicular hijacking

Raises the minimum age for detention in county jails or municipal lockups (beyond 6 hours) from 12 to 13 years old

Provides alternatives to detention for minors under 13, including petitions under the Minors Requiring Authoritative Intervention Article or community mediation programs

Requires the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to study and report on youth services availability, the impact of raising the minimum detention age to 14, and implementation of these changes