HB 5273

Abstract

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall be the ombudsman for the Department of Juvenile Justice and county-operated juvenile detention centers. Provides that the Office of Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall secure the rights of youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and county-operated juvenile detention centers. Provides that with respect to county-operated juvenile detention centers, the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall provide data responsive to: (1) the work of the Ombudsman; (2) the status of any review or investigation undertaken by the Ombudsman; and (3) any recommendations that the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman has relating to a systemic issue in the Department of Juvenile Justice's or a county-operated juvenile detention center's provision of services and any other matters for consideration by the General Assembly and the Governor to a commission established by ordinance of the county board of the applicable county in which the county-operated juvenile detention center is located. The commission shall at a minimum be comprised of the chief judge, the State's Attorney, the Public Defender, a correctional administrator, and an advocate for justice system impacted families and individuals. Provides that to the extent that any county-operated juvenile detention center provides services to counties beyond the one in which it is located, the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall also provide a copy of the data to the county boards of the counties where the center is not located.