IL SB1784

Raises the minimum age for juvenile detention from 10 years old to 12 years old effective July 1, 2026, and further restricts detention of minors ages 12-13 starting July 1, 2027 to only those charged with first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery with a firearm, or aggravated vehicular hijacking

Establishes that placement of a minor away from home must be a "last resort and the least restrictive alternative available," with minors under 13 who are in conflict with the law to be held accountable through alternative means such as petitions under Article 3 (Minors Requiring Authoritative Intervention) or community mediation programs

Requires probation and court services to document and report monthly to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission each instance where alternatives to detention failed or were lacking, including the basis for detention, providers contacted, and reasons alternatives were rejected

Expands the duties of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to study and make recommendations regarding youth services availability to reduce detention use, assess the impact of raising the minimum detention age to 14, and develop implementation processes for these reforms

Prohibits detention of minors under 13 years of age in county jails or municipal lockups for more than 6 hours (increased from the previous threshold of 12 years old)