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.
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
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 . . .
CHICAGO - An Illinois law professor is weighing in on what she called a "very public and open test of due process" for immigrants being deported from the United States without court hearings. 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 (
