Research shows any length of detention has a poor outcome for children, especially those of color, and unnecessarily costs the state tens of millions of dollars each year.
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Illinois News Connection
CHICAGO - A recent report is highlighting the need for a complete overhaul of the Illinois juvenile justice system. It called for a renewed rehabilitative focus while prioritizing the rights, needs and safety of children, which it argued is sorely lacking across the board.
The report by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative found the majority of juvenile detention centers fail to meet even basic standards to keep children safe, which has opened counties up to lawsuits.
Katherine Buchanan, a consultant for the Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative and the report's author, said the current state-subsidized, county-run model incentivizes the jailing of children and does not provide an ultimate authority on oversight, begging the question of why and how the state jails children.
"The timing is right to really look at when and why children are detained, and how we can really focus the use of detention on those most critical cases," Buchanan contended.
Buchanan pointed out research shows any length of detention has a poor outcome for children, especially those of color, and unnecessarily costs the state tens of millions of dollars each year.
The report found gaps across all centers in behavioral services and education, disciplinary actions and the use of solitary confinement. Overall, children of color are disproportionately impacted, coming into contact with the legal system at much higher rates than their white peers, even when they commit the same offenses.
Buchanan explained how childhood trauma increases the risk of delinquency in adolescents, and detention only serves to retraumatize an already at-risk population while compounding long-term consequences.
"Even short periods in detention can harm children in terms of their educational attainment, their ability to reengage in school, their mental health and also in terms of their long-term future earnings," Buchanan outlined.
The report called for legislation prioritizing community-based efforts and using detention as a last resort. A new bill was introduced last month to initiate efforts for juvenile justice reform across the state and largely mirrors the suggested solutions outlined in the report.
CHAMPAIGN - In January, the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA) elected Jon Seevers as the 43rd President at the association's annual meeting in Champaign. Seevers, following in his father's footsteps decades later, replaces outgoing President Eric Layden of Hoopeston.
Seevers is a second-generation drainage contractor from Argenta and an active ILICA member for 40 years, currently serving on the Executive, Education, Budget, Picnic, Convention, and the Show & Other Income committees. He has or currently chairing or co-chairing the majority of committees he has been a member.
A primary goal of his presidency, Seevers said in a released statement, "is for all of our contractor members to be more profitable and safe by encouraging each of them to utilize the safety trainings and business benefits provided to them as members of Illinois LICA."
Currently residing in Cisco, Seevers has served as a volunteer fireman for 40 years and serves as the department’s president, a founding member of the Piatt County Habitat for Humanity and serves as construction co-chair, Trustee chair for his church and serves on the Administrative Council, and serves on the Board of Directors at Tatman Village.
In addition to volunteering a great deal of time to his community, he also is serical blood donor.
"I’m most proud of donating 178 units of blood, initially giving back the 4 units that I received during surgery to repair a broken femur from a high school play-off football game my senior year," Seevers said.
His family business, Seevers Farm Drainage, Inc. (SFDI), was founded in 1975 by his father, Stan Seevers, who is Life Member of Illinois LICA who also served two terms as Illinois LICA’s President in 1986 and 1998.
Seevers started working for his family’s business at an early age when the drainage pipe of choice was either clay or concrete. He vividly remembers his early years in the business tiling with a used Speicher 600. It was powered by a 147 hp Chevrolet 292 c.i. gas engine with three, 4-speed manual transmissions back-to-back-to-back to allow the traction speed to be slow enough to install 12” tile 6’ deep using targets for grade control.
"I’ve not only seen but have personally experienced some of the greatest advancements within our industry," Seevers says reflecting on his decades of drainage experience. Today, SFDI installs tile with a 450 hp diesel machine capable of installing 30” pipe 8’ deep with GPS grade control.
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
I’ve always known my Arab culture is worth celebrating.
I heard it in Syrian tenor Sabah Fakhri’s powerful voice reverberating in my mom’s car on the way to piano lessons and soccer practice during my youth. I smelled it in the za’atar, Aleppo pepper, allspice, and cumin permeating the air in the family kitchen. Read more . . .
CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally. Read more . . .
Photo Galleries
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.
by Judith Ruiz-Branch
CHAMPAIGN - In January, the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (
