Advocates and correctional officials are calling on Illinois and other states across the country to release youth from juvenile detention facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the quality of online coursework is one of many concerns for advocates.
Advocates across Illinois are calling on the state to change the way it handles young people who’ve committed serious crimes. They want to end the use of large prison facilities.
On Friday, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice announced it plans to close the youth correctional facility in Kewanee by July first. The Juvenile Justice department says the closing would save the state about 14 million dollars, improve rehabilitation for young offenders, and improve community safety. It will also eliminate 200 jobs.
Rauner's plans include closing state musuems and juvenile justice centers, grounding all state plane passenger service, and suspending the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP.)
