Illinois needs juvenile-justice reform, a proposed bill protects children's rights and safety

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.

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Jon Seevers takes the gavel as president of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association

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.

Tyler Luchinski and Savanna Franzen earn All-State Mention from IHSA

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Savanna Franzen runs around the track O'Brien Field at the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals in May 2024. The Spartan senior was named an All-State Academic by the IHSA on March 4.

BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois High School Association announced the 26 members who were selected for the 2025 IHSA All-State Academic Team. Two area student athletes, one Charger and one Spartan, made this year's list released today.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Savanna Franzen and Centennial's Tyler Luchinski earned Honorable Mention recogition and will be recognized at a banquet held in Bloomington on April 13.

Each year, IHSA member schools can nominate one female student and one male student to be a part of this prestigious team. Nominees needed to possess a minimum 3.50 grade point average on a 4.0 scale after their seventh semester, have participated in at least two IHSA sponsored sports or activities during each of the last two years of high school, and demonstrated outstanding citizenship.

"The IHSA All-State Academic Team truly represents the best that Illinois has to offer," IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacy Lambert said in a press release. "When you look the credentials of these team members, you are not only going to see outstanding grades and incredible test scores, but participation in multiple sports and activities, as well as significant contributions to their school and community. The ability to not only balance but also simultaneously excel in all these endeavors is inspiring. We are proud to have these future leaders represent the IHSA and Illinois."

The nominations were evaluated by a committee up of IHSA principals, athletic directors, and activities directors. One male winner and one female winner from each of the seven IHSA Board of Directors Divisions were selected initially, while the final 12 spots on the team were then rounded out with at-large candidates from anywhere in the state.

A complete list of all award winners is below.

2024-25 All-State Academic Team

Reid Bodine
Williamsville High School

Joseph Bregenzer
Barrington High School

Cole Buchanan
Benton High School

Zoe Carter
University High School | Normal

Emily Cheng
Walter Payton | Chicago

Taylor Davidson
Stillman Valley High School

Hadley Ferrero
Crystal Lake Central

Payton Frey
Highland High School

Gracie Furlong
Galena High School

Hannah Gibson
Carlinville High School

Travis Hoffman
Mahomet-Seymour High School

Liam Kendrick
Lane Tech High School | Chicago

Krish Khanna
University High School | Chicago

Alyssa Koerkenmeier
Mater Dei Catholic | Breese

Elena Krause
Pontiac High School

Andrew Kurien
Rockford Christian High School

TJ Larson
Central Catholic High School | Bloomington

Gavin O’Connor
Brother Rice High School | Chicago

Liam O’Connor
Oak Park & River Forest High School

Ava Peterson
Manteno High School

Elena Rybak
Father McGivney | Glen Carbon

Kurtis Smith
Hononegah High School | Rockton

Ethan Stewart
Triad High School | Troy

Lucia “Lulu” Ton-That
Northside College Prep | Chicago

Ben Wuggazer
Lyons High School | LaGrange

Veronica Znajda
Prospect High School | Mt. Prospect

2024-25 All-State Academic Team Honorable Mention

Sydney Buchelt
Lisle Senior High School

Aubrey Campbell
Central Catholic High School | Bloomington

Seth Cooper
Ottawa Township High School

Benjamin Crane
New Trier High School | Winnetka

Ryan Thomas Detering
Salem High School

Ricky Eriksen
Marist High School | Chicago

Nora Ezike
Lyons High School | LaGrange

Syndey Fraley
Maine South High School | Park Ridge

Savanna Franzen
St. Joseph-Ogden

Paige Froess
Columbia High School

Rory Gaan
Fremd High School | Palatine

Elijah Genenbacher
Central High School | Camp Point

Mason Gilpin
Carlinville High School

Waylon Hall
Herrin High School

Jacob Hartwig
Heyworth High School

Annabelle Hiel
Washington Community High School

Julia Hosu
Yorkville High School

Abigail Johnes
Brussels High School

Jack Jokisch
Shelbyville High School

Devin Karda
Sycamore High School

Clayton Kessler
Auburn High School

Reese Kohnle
Boylan Catholic High School | Rockford

Joseph Kyes
Richmond-Burton High School

Josie Larson
Lakes High School | Lake Villa

Tyler Luchinski
Centennial High School | Champaign

Bruno Massel
York High School | Elmhurst

Nolan McClay
Knoxville High School

Elizabeth McConkie
Sycamore High School

Lauren Miller
Central High School | Camp Point

Lizeth Montes
St. Ignatius College Prep | Chicago

Eislee Moore
Carbondale High School

Kaleb Navarro
De La Salle Institute | Chicago

Sam Ottwell
Alton Senior High School

Derke Patton
Walter Payton College Prep | Chicago

Miraya Pessman
Fulton High School

Aubrey Phillips
El Paso-Gridley

Ryan Pieper
Lena-Winslow High School

Maya Rounds
Sesser-Valier High School

Austin Rowswell
Lincoln-Way West High School | New Lenox

Karson Shrum
Annawan High School

Paige Sierens
Annawan High School

Amelia Strebel
Jersey High School | Jerseyville

Max Strong
Riverside-Brookfield High School

Olivia Tran
Vernon Hills High School

Juliana Walker
University High School | Chicago

Cynthia Waller
Lane Tech High School | Chicago

Connor Watson
East Peoria High School

Reese Watson
Scared Heart-Griffin High School | Springfield

Michael Wilson
Greenville High School

Lily Woolery
Shelbyville High School

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Guest Commentary
Is the Ukraine Deal, really a deal?

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

America has given Ukraine a lot of money. Does anyone really know how much?

President Trump recently said $350 billion while other sources say we have spent less than $200 billion. A billion dollars is a billion dollars. Hundreds of billions of dollars mean Americans across our country are being taxed hard earned dollars to send to another country for the purpose of financially underwriting their war.

The Beatles sang, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” but apparently you can buy some fake friends for a while. When the money ceases then the love and friendship you bought speedily goes away.

If we don’t write big checks to countries like Ukraine then they get mad really quick and for some reason, we become the bad guys. What happens when we totally run out of money? Our national debt is $36 trillion dollars. Who will rescue us when we go bankrupt and there is no Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid? No one will come to save us.

Approximately 58,220 Americans were killed in the Vietnam war. This number includes battle and non-battle related deaths. The Vietnam war cost around $111 billion in 1968 dollars, equivalent to approximately $800 billion in today’s dollars. The war lasted about 15 years. What does our country have to show for $800 billion and almost 60,000 lives? A lot of graves and a lot of Veterans with PTSD.

The war in Afghanistan cost America approximately $2,313 trillion dollars from 2001 to 2022. This includes money we spent in Afghanistan and Pakistan but does not account for the cost of lifetime care for veterans. Some estimates suggest the total cost could be higher ranging from $4 to $6 trillion when including long-term medical care and disability compensation. Plus, we spent over $68 million on a second runway at Bagram airfield in 2006 making it the best and strongest runway in that part of the world.

In the 1960s, we built the Kandahar International Airport which cost us over $15 million dollars. Who are the people using these airports today? A lot of Americans have suffered to pay big taxes bills while our government plays Santa Claus.

It’s a great idea to ask Ukraine to pay back the billions we have given to them. The idea of America having access to their land and vast resource of minerals sounds appealing.

Financially, it sounds like it would be worth mega billions and would supply us with badly needed resources. However, how many roads and bridges will we have to build?

How big will our military presence have to become to protect American citizens who will go to work the land? A military presence in Afghanistan could only mean the possibility of altercations with Russia’s army which would escalate into America becoming head and shoulders into a full scale war with Russia.

Putin can’t be trusted as far as you can throw the car sitting in your driveway. A growing presence in Ukraine by America will eventually mean fighting to protect our interests in that country. Such a land deal with Ukraine sounds like a good deal but has the potential of becoming a very bad deal.

Unfortunately, after last week’s oval office disaster between Zelenskyy, President Trump and Vice-President Vance there may never be a deal.

If Russia eventually topples Ukraine, Putin won’t be making any deals, paying anyone anything back and we may be buying our bread from him.

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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League of Women Voters to host peaceful protest around Illinois

CHICAGO - Local chapters of the League of Women Voters of Illinois will host community protests and rallies in five cities across Illinois tomorrow, March 4. The goal is to bring people together in solidarity during the president's address to Congress on Tuesday.

Donald Trump will deliver the first joint congressional address of his second presidency on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. While not a State of the Union address, the president is expected to announce his goals for the year and accomplishments as he starts his second term before a packed House chamber.

LWVIL says the events around the state are being held to "offer a peaceful and unified space to come together for the health of our democracy, the future of our nation, and the well-being of all its people."

Gatherings will be held in Batavia, downtown Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and at the Courthouse Plaza in Peoria.

"Defending democracy is our mission," Becky Simon, president of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, said in a release today, stressing an "urgent" need for peaceful protest during this administration. "The League’s spirit to act and fight for our democracy is exactly the courage we need to defend our constitutional republic."

Kathy Cortez, LWVIL vice president for issues and advocacy, noted that "The League has been defending democracy for 105 years, and we are just getting started."

League of Women Voters of Illinois protests will take place on Tuesday, March 4, at the following locations:

Batavia: 7:30 pm, Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510
Chicago: 7:30 pm, Federal Plaza, 50 S. Adams St, Chicago, IL 60604
Rockford: 7:00 pm, Rockford City Hall, 425 East State Street, Rockford, 61104
Naperville: 4:30 pm, Washington Street Overpass by 5th Avenue Train Station, 105 E 4th Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540
Peoria: 7:30 pm, Peoria County Courthouse Plaza, 324 Main Street, Peoria IL 61602

CAFOs on the rise in Illinois, large scale operations putting pressure on small farmers

Chad Wallace sells his product locally to get the best prices. Many farmers in his position are left discouraged by the difficulties they face in going against the industrial ag industry practices.

baby pigs

Concentrated animal feeding operations, also known as CAFO, in Illinois are hurting small farmers and possibly the environment due underregulation by the state.

Photo: Emilian Robert Vicol/Pixabay

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - Illinois is known for having some of the weakest environmental laws for concentrated animal feeding operations, with a lack of oversight and public transparency for the entire process. A coalition of rural landowners is working to change it.

In Illinois, it is estimated there are more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations.

Chad Wallace, director of rural affairs for the Illinois Environmental Council, works with the Illinois Livestock Reform Coalition, which has about 70 members across states. They are trying to come up with legislative solutions for the growing concerns of landowners who have been affected by them.

"The industry is basically embedded," Wallace acknowledged. "It is very hard for folks to go up against something that is so broad and so organized."

Nearly all applications submitted in Illinois over the past decade have been approved. Wallace pointed out several attempts to introduce legislation to increase regulation have failed, with the most recent in 2019 for a proposed moratorium on lagoons being used for holding confinement waste.

More than 90% of animals raised for agriculture in the U.S. come from concentrated animal feeding operations, yet environmental advocates argued the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is unaware of the locations of the majority of operations, making it difficult to regulate them and account for their environmental impact.

Wallace, who grew up in a farming family, raises beef, pork and lamb and has been approached by people wanting to construct operations on his land. He declined but noted it came with a cost.

"One of the struggles is constantly having to build the value of your product due to not being in the industry," Wallace explained.

Wallace sells locally to get the best prices for his products. He added many in his position are left discouraged by the difficulties they face in going against the industrial ag industry. Proponents of concentrated animal feeding operations said they are an economic necessity to keep retail prices of meat, milk and eggs affordable for consumers, and are crucial to the viability of rural communities.

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Many Illinois residents stand to lose Medicaid coverage under Trump administration cuts

If the federal match rate drops, Illinois would have two options: come up with more than $40 billion to cover expansion costs or drop it altogether.

prescription drugs

Photo: Freestocks.org/StockSnap

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - As Congress continues to threaten deep cuts to the Medicaid program, a new KFF report shows how some of the proposed changes could end coverage for an estimated 20 million people nationwide, more than 800,000 in Illinois. One idea targets the Medicaid expansion federal match rate. The federal government currently pays 90% of the costs for people covered under what's known as the Medicaid expansion, that extended coverage to nearly all low-income adults.

Liz Williams, senior policy analyst with KFF, explained that if the federal match rate drops, Illinois would have two options: come up with more than $40 billion to cover expansion costs or drop it altogether.

"Illinois has a law where the state is required to automatically end expansion coverage if the match rate drops, so in those trigger law states, there's 12 of them, enrollees are at greater risk of losing coverage," she explained.

Nearly 30% of Medicaid enrollees in Illinois have health-care coverage because of the Medicaid expansion and would be at risk of losing it should these changes go through.

The Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act was enacted to reduce the number of uninsured people nationwide. It provided states with an increased federal match rate to help pay for their health-care costs. Williams added that if states can't afford to pick up the added costs from decreased federal support, the number of uninsured people will dramatically increase, and any gains in financial security and health outcomes associated with the expansion would be reversed.

"Medicaid is jointly funded by states and the federal government, so any restrictions in federal Medicaid spending really leaves states with tough choices about how to offset reductions," she continued.

She said states have a few options, including increasing state tax revenues, decreasing spending on non-Medicaid services such as education, or decreasing coverage for other groups. Governor J.B. Pritzker has already proposed eliminating Medicaid coverage for non-citizen adults aged 42 to 65 as a way to make up for the state's $1.7 billion-budget gap.

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Allergy season is just around the corner; some tips that might help you be less miserable

Photo: PEXELS/Edward Jenner

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

DANVILLE - Spring allergies will be here soon. If you’re suffering from a runny or congested nose, watery or itchy eyes or sneezing, it’s tempting to grab the first medicine that catches your eye at the pharmacy or rifle through the bathroom drawer for some pills you’re hanging on to.

Not so fast, says Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall. She says it’s important to know what to take and when in order to avoid side effects that can be serious.

Photo provided

Maddy Draper, APRN

What to take

Draper says an antihistamine like Astepro, Zyrtec, Allegra or Benadryl is a typical first line of defense.

“There are also decongestants for severe nasal congestion or sinus pain and pressure,” Draper adds. Sudafed is a well-known decongestant.

If a more severe case brings symptoms like face swelling or wheezing, Draper says treatment could be a steroid like Flonase or prednisone.

For more chronic (in other words, long term) allergy cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a provider may recommend immunotherapy to build up a tolerance. This could be an injection or a tablet under the tongue.

Misuse

It may not seem like over the counter allergy medications are ripe for misuse, but it can happen.

Draper says antihistamines, especially Benadryl, can make you drowsy. If you take too much or take it at the wrong time, you could, for example, find yourself sleepy behind the wheel. Or your attentiveness at work or school could suffer.

On the flip side, Draper says Sudafed can make you jittery, irritable or cause heart palpitations (the feeling of an irregular heartbeat). This could be a big issue, she says, for people with a heart condition.

“We want to avoid nasal sprays for people with nasal trauma. Things like a deviated septum or nasal sores,” Draper adds. “Putting something up the nose could cause further tissue damage.”

Draper says to take medication as directed by your provider. Or if it’s over the counter, follow the label instructions. She says these medications typically take a couple days to start working. So don’t be tempted to take an extra dose if you’re not seeing relief right away.

Think of the children! (and seniors)

Children and seniors may be more impacted by the side effects of allergy medications. An older adult who takes Benadryl, for example, may be drowsy to the point that they fall and suffer a serious injury.

So, Draper says providers will typically start with an antihistamine that doesn’t make you super drowsy. She says Zyrtec is approved for ages six months and up, and that’s often where providers will start.

“Any antihistamine label is going to tell you to consult your provider for use under the age of two,” Draper says. “So you’ll need to be seen by a provider or your pediatrician.” This could be a virtual visit or a message to your provider in your patient portal.

Plan ahead

Draper says knowing your allergy triggers and acting accordingly is key to avoiding unpleasant symptoms. For example, you know grass clippings will cause an allergic reaction, but you have no choice but to mow the lawn.

“Primary care providers and allergists typically recommend starting the medication prior to exposure,” Draper explains. “If you know you’re going to be outside on that windy, dry day to mow, start the antihistamine a couple days prior so it can fully take effect.”

If you can’t get a handle on a known allergy, or if you have unexpected allergy symptoms, Draper says it’s never a bad idea to go to an urgent care.

Or if you find yourself looking for an over the counter medication option: “Just ask the pharmacist,” Draper suggests. “They’ll give you recommendations.

“There’s usually a specific aisle for allergies,” she adds. “Find the right antihistamine. Flonase is another big one we see people use.”

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Molina recovers after first match loss, Unity junior still in the hunt for top 3 finish

**BLOOMINGTON** - Unity's Phoenix Molina pulls Lockport's Rebekah Ramirez arm while looking for a takedown in their 235-pound match at the IHSA Girls' Individual Wrestling State Finals at Grossinger Motors Arena on Friday. Molina advanced to the division's consolation quarterfinal after pinning Ramirez in the first period at 1:04. She will face DeKalb's Aarianna Bloyd tomorrow for spot in the semifinals.

Illinois needs juvenile-justice reform, a proposed bill protects children's rights and safety

Jon Seevers takes the gavel as president of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association

Tyler Luchinski and Savanna Franzen earn All-State Mention from IHSA

Guest Commentary
Is the Ukraine Deal, really a deal?

League of Women Voters to host peaceful protest around Illinois

CAFOs on the rise in Illinois, large scale operations putting pressure on small farmers

Many Illinois residents stand to lose Medicaid coverage under Trump administration cuts

Allergy season is just around the corner; some tips that might help you be less miserable

Molina recovers after first match loss, Unity junior still in the hunt for top 3 finish

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