February 21, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting

Audience

Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission Executive Committee Members and Staff. The public is welcome to attend.

Date/Time

February 21, 2018, 10:30a.m. to 12:00pm

Location

401 S Clinton
1st Floor
Chicago, IL
823 E Monroe
Springfield, IL
Call in: 888-494-4032
Code: 5329547331#

Agenda

Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
Fiscal Updates
1. YTD FY18 Spending
2. Program Updates
Committees 2018 Schedule Review
1. DMC
  1. Committee Update
  2. Redeploy/IJJC Collaboration
  3. DMC Training and Technical Assistance
2. JDAI
3. JJ Councils
4. Compliance Monitoring
Project Updates
1. Training and Technical Assistance to JJ Councils
2. Transfer Data Reporting
3. Girls Grant (Adolescent Domestic Battery Model Arrest Protocol)
New Business
1. NOFO approval and schedule
2. IJOA Conference
3. Dick's Resignation and Replacement
4. Commission Membership & Reappointments
Three Year Plan/28 assurances
1. The twenty-eight assurances
2. The Compliance and DMC reports
3. SAG membership
Audit
Legislative Updates
Public Comment
Next Meeting
March 21, 2018
Adjourn

Minutes

Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 9:09am.
Roll Call
Committee Members: IJJC Chairperson George Timberlake; Planning and Grants Chairperson Lisa Jacobs; Commissioners: Esther-Franco Payne (by phone), George Hill (by phone), Julie Biehl (by phone). Planning and Grants quorum present.
Staff: Wendy Nussbaum, Julie Stremlau (by phone).
Guests: Susan Witkin (by phone), Amanda McMillen, and Danielle Kindle.
Approval of Minutes
The Planning and Grants and Executive Committees discussed the minutes from the November 14, 2017 Planning and Grants and Full Commission meeting as well as the January 24, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting. Commissioner Franco-Payne motioned to approve the minutes and IJJC Chairperson Timberlake seconded the motion. Minutes approved.
Fiscal Updates
1. YTD FY18 Spending
  Wendy Nussbaum circulated and discussed a document depicting the IJJC FY17 and FY18 expenditures. She reported that the CPRD and ICOY EDFs are missing from January. Kane County is also a bit behind, while everything else is on target. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked Susan Witkin who is preparing her report. She believes that the budget department is moving slowly, which may be due to turnover issues. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs discussed hearing from Lurie about the overarching project to do early work with children who could be diverted away from the system altogether. She believes the State's Attorney's office is providing those referrals.
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she spoke to Rebecca Levin. She stated that the program is in operation and going well. She also stated that it may be helpful to postpone a presentation of their work involving deflection and diversion within Cook County so that they can obtain more stability. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked if this presentation should occur during a Planning and Grants Committee meeting or a full Commission meeting. Wendy Nussbaum stated that the next full Commission meeting may not be the best time for this due to upcoming NOFO processes. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she will talk to staff and make arrangements for the first half of the fiscal year.
  Wendy Nussbaum reported that there is approximately $700K left in FY17 funds and the FY18 have not been utilized at all. She stated that, assuming that everyone spends what they are expected to spend for this year, there is approximately $1.3 million in funds for FY18, as depicted in the "Total Unobligated" line of the expenditures document.
Program Updates
1. Committees 2018 Schedule Review
2. DMC
  1. Committee Update
  2. Redeploy/IJJC Collaboration
  3. DMC Training and Technical Assistance
    DMC Committee Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that the last DMC Committee meeting occurred Thursday, February 15, 2018. The DMC Committee has been working on revising the DMC technical assistance guide, which is continuing the work that Karima Douglas began as a means of providing formal information to providers regarding DMC implementation. This is based on the OJJDP DMC technical assistance manual. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked if DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne was invited to a race conversation on March 9, 2018. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that she was not. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he was invited, but is not able to attend so he will be asking if it is possible for Olivia Wilks to attend this.
    IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCFCJ) is likely to approve the racial and ethnic disparities (RED) bench card next month. He stated that this will be important to consider when the distribution of the DMC manual begins so that the Commission will have something specific to say to judges. He clarified that the RED bench card work is a collaboration between NCFCJ and the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC). He stated that he is not aware of a distribution strategy at this point, though he will attend the NCFCJ conference in March. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that, following the Commission's strategic planning meeting on January 17, 2018, DMC reduction activities have been specifically included as targets in the upcoming NOFOs and RFPs. She asked if DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne would like to examine this language and provide feedback. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that she will do this.
    DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that, aside from the DMC guide, the DMC Committee is continuing work regarding law enforcement, community relations, and the school-to-prison pipeline. She stated that this work is blending well. In the December meeting, the DMC Committee discussed submitting a letter to CPS and CPD on behalf of the Commission and its partners as it related to CPS and CPD negotiating a new contract regarding the presence of CPD in schools. This letter involves key recommendations and provides resources as alternatives to school arrests, suspensions, and expulsions. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne reported that the Committee is close to finalizing that letter. She stated that a unique aspect of this letter is that Communities United is pushing a new bill surrounding alternative programming and practices to punitive responses, which can be considered an extension of SB100. One idea that the Committee has discussed involves considering how the Commission can support this work. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that, in light of recent violence in Florida, this is an opportune time to consider these issues.
    DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that the Committee is also involved with efforts to strategize how to respond to the intersection between mental health and DMC. She stated that Henrika McCoy (UIC), who used to participate on the DMC Committee, had received a grant approximately two years prior to do more intensive research on mental health and the juvenile justice population. She will be hopefully reporting on this work to the DMC Committee. From there, the DMC Committee can consider strategies for promoting solutions. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that the current focus is determining which aspects of this research are specific to Chicago and Cook County and which can be applied statewide. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that it will be important to receive feedback from the full Commission regarding how this work can be applied statewide.
    Commissioner Biehl informed DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne that Carmen Costas is now working for the Haywood Burns Institute in Chicago after leaving DJJ. She stated that it may be useful for the Commission to reach out to her about their work. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he spoke to her briefly and she introduced David Lynch and they were talking about meditation as a violence reduction technique. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs asked DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne if she knows when the DMC Committee's work will reach the point of desiring feedback form the full
    Commission. DMC Chairperson Franco-Payne stated that she would like Olivia Wilks to begin building out a work plan or some other way of articulating the DMC Committee's work areas, goals for moving forward, and necessary resources. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that ICJIA put out five different grants in Illinois pertaining to violence intervention and prevention with a trauma focus. He stated that he does not know who four of these grantees are, but it highlights that there are others doing work related to mental health and trauma. Amanda McMillen stated that ICOY has a partnership with Universal Family Connections, who is doing a collaborative over nine different agencies that are doing a variety of trauma interventions around counseling, community engagement, and youth development and education. ICOY is contracted to do the trauma trainings for all the different providers within the community. She is not aware of whether this is the same grant that IJJC Chairperson Timberlake is referring to. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that, regardless, there is work being done to address mental health and that this work has substantial funds behind it. Thus, it is important that these efforts address DMC.
3. JDAI
  JDAI Chairperson Velasquez was not present, but Wendy Nussbaum stated that she is not aware of any JDAI updates. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that, based on the January discussions, that an explicit detention alternatives component in the NOFO.
4. JJ Councils
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she does not believe there is a new report on JJ Councils, except to say that, based on the conversation in January, that this is one of the areas in which the Commission has sought NOFOS. The Commission has agreed not to fund councils who have not made substantial progress toward the work under their current grants. Wendy Nussbaum stated that the DMC plan has been built in very heavily, meaning that Councils will not receive points in this largest section of the NOFO unless they either submit a DMC reduction plan or state that they are receiving training and technical assistance from Susan Witkin, Peg Robertson, and Olivia Wilks. They will also need to demonstrate what this training and technical assistance looks like. Without doing one of these two things, it is very unlikely that a council will receive funding. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that there were only 41 counties that had a minority population of more than 2% based on the last statewide assessment. He stated that it is important to know if there are applicants in this position.
5. Compliance Monitoring
Project Updates
1. Training and Technical Assistance to JJ Councils
2. Transfer Data Reporting
  Susan Witkin circulated a document detailing the FY18 spending up to the current date. She reported that there are numerous mistakes with Cook County. She hopes to update this within the next week, but stated that the majority of the data is correct. She hopes to have it completely correct within the next month. She believes that this process will be easier once the template is approved. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that it is important to be open to any feedback after publishing the first report. This may thus affect the next data report. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs also asked whether the Committee wants to go through the data quality assurance process as has happened in the past, including sending the data to the counties for verification. Susan Witkin stated that some counties included additional details with the data, which helped to determine the actual amount of individuals. She stated that, while this would involve more time investment, it still could be beneficial to have additional people verify the data in the way that Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs recommended. She hopes that this data will also spur conversation within the clerks', states attorney's, and public defenders' offices.
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs summarized. that two considerations of possible challenges regarding the quality assurance process are the work load and the timeline. She stated that the possible benefits of utilizing this process are that it is a good-faith effort that can ensure confidence in the process. She asked if there is a way to minimize the work load to maximize benefits and address challenges. She believes that transfers will be a key topic going forward and is thus for the quality assurance process. Susan Witkin agreed and stated that the majority of the clerks offices appreciate this type of verification. She tasted that she will thus send the data back out for review.
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs referred the attendees back to the 2016 transfer data report. She does not believe that a circulation process has been solidified. She stated there are two options: mail copies after determining mailing addresses or post the report on the website and then circulate email notices that the Commission has released this information. She is inclined to choose the latter option due to efficiency. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that it is important to provide printed copies to the Committee itself and/or the sponsors. He asked Wendy Nussbaum if this could be done inside of DHS, as has been done in the past. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs asked IJJC Chairperson Timberlake to clarify what he meant by sponsors. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he was referring to sponsors of the original transfer bill. He added that this should not delay posting of the information on the website. Wendy Nussbaum asked how many copies would be necessary. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake recommended 10-15 copies.
3. Girls Grant (Adolescent Domestic Battery Model Arrest Protocol)
  Planning and Grants Chairperson stated that this work will be presented at the National Conference of Juvenile and Family Court Judges on March 20, 2018. Wendy Nussbaum stated that she has obtained authorization from OJJDP to use Girls Grant funds for the expenses related to this, but that she still needs approval from Karrie Rueter to allow Northeast DuPage to pay.
4. Young Children in Detention work (HB 4336)
New Business
1. NOFO approval and schedule
  Wendy Nussbaum stated that there will be three NOFOs. The first is a systems improvement NOFO that has been structured in such a way that only current recipients are likely to receive funding. The juvenile justice council NOFO explicitly states that only current recipients will receive funding. It also involves the requirement of appointing a youth member to the advisory board. The third programmatic NOFO provides councils, units of government, and nonprofits the ability to apply to run a local program to address the Commission's priorities.
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the system improvement NOFO generally covers the responsibilities of CPRD and ICJIA. She stated that the department of corrections is conducting monitoring without being paid, so that is not part of the NOFO. She stated that the Executive Committee has also authorized DHS to work on a non-NOFO process with ICOY. She stated that the program areas of the third NOFO include: front-end diversion and deflection form the system, detention alternatives, targeted racial and ethnic disparity reduction activities, and community-based services for youth with problem sexual behaviors. She stated that the current priority is recruiting readers and scorers from within the Commission. The schedule for doing this depends on whether the final proposals and recommendations from scorers go to full Commission or the Executive Committee.
  Wendy Nussbaum stated that she was originally using a timeline that she was given by DHS, which was much shorter. The recommendation piece of this process can now wait until the May 16, 2018 full Commission meeting, meaning a longer timeline. She stated that she is hopeful the NOFOs will be released on Friday and will not be due until April 16, 2018. There will then be as much as 25 days for review. She anticipates as few as 2 systems NOFOs, no more than 7 Council NOFOS, and is unaware of how many programmatic NOFOs will be submitted. She stated that it is not necessary for the full Commission to give the Executive Committee authority at this point. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that the May full Commission meeting could be moved up if necessary. Wendy Nussbaum stated that Karrie Rueter was very clear that only those who choose to review are authorized to see the applications.
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs proposed condensing this information into an email that will be circulated to all Commissioners as a means of seeking volunteers to review and score. The Committee members agreed. Wendy Nussbaum also stated that anyone who would like to review the NOFOs prior to their release must do so now. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he will do this.
2. IJOA Conference
  Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the Commission has attempted to strike a new relationship with the IJOA, which seems to be working. They have set aside a plenary session on their June conference agenda and have asked that the topic be youth with problematic sexual behaviors. Commissioner Velasquez has identified a speaker to present on this issue, who is a retired police officer who works with child advocacy centers as a first responder. Commissioner Velasquez has assurances that this presenter understands the resources and the needs to respond well to this population, as well as the ability to connect well with the law enforcement audience.
  Commissioner Franco-Payne asked if there are any opportunities to discuss school resource officers at this conference. Wendy Nussbaum stated that there is the possibility of providing resources, but that the addition of a presenter would have required an earlier request. Wendy Nussbaum stated that there is the possibility of making such a request for next year's conference. Wendy Nussbaum stated that she believes that SROs also have a similar conference.
3. Dick's Resignation and Replacement
  Amanda McMillen reported that Dick Walsh plans to retire on June 30, 2018. ICOY would like to do a similar hiring process to what was done with the Juvenile Justice Programs Director. She reported that ICOY would take the lead in posting the position and screening applications. Dick would be a part of this initial screening and interviewing process. She stated that there could then be a second round of interviews with the Commission's involvement and then a final decision. The goal is to post the position by March and have someone selected in May to begin in June for ideally one month of cross-training with Dick. Dick has also agreed to come back and help with the compliance audit whenever that occurs. Amanda McMillen asked any referrals to be sent to her and Olivia with resumes but stated that they will still be required to go through the application process. She stated that ICOY is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the job description. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked for that description to be sent to the Commission once finalized by ICOY. Wendy Nussbaum asked if ICOY would like outreach to retired law enforcement and Amanda McMillen stated that this would help. She further stated that the position is hourly and that she will determine the exact amount.
Board Members
Three Year Plan/28 assurances
1. The twenty-eight assurances
2. The Compliance and DMC reports
3. SAG membership (looking for police officers)
  Wendy Nussbaum asked the Commission to review these twenty-eight assurances, included in their meeting packets, prior to the next full Commission meeting. She stated the funding can be withheld if any one of these are not being fulfilled. She further stated that, while it is not required to have a police SAG member, it is important to make an effort to include law enforcement on the Commission. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake recommended Mitchell Davis as an option. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the Commission's responsibility is to submit a list and to code those on the list according to categories. She stated that there are three separate questions: the Commission's composition for the purpose of federal compliance; the state law regarding the composition; and ensuring that the Commission has the necessary diverse voices in order to achieve its goals. She stated that the first two questions must take priority at this point.
Audit
Wendy Nussbaum reported that the audit has been completed and that it went well. There was one question regarding a $400 expense in 2016 for partial payment to another audit. She further stated that the programmatic audit involved positive visits across Illinois. However, she stated that a compliance monitoring audit will also be necessary this year, though it has not yet been scheduled.
Legislative Updates
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that there is a list of pending legislation that includes several bills around the issue of detention, and thus may require the Commission taking a role. First, there is a senate bill sponsored by Senator John Mulroe to increase the time before a detention hearing is required from 40 hours to 48 hours and allow this hearing to be done by video. She stated that the Commission has taken a position on this in the past. There is also HB 4336, sponsored by Representative Robyn Gabel, which would raise the minimum age of detention from 10 to 13. This must be discussed by the Commission because it has an IJJC role built into it. Third, HB 4548, sponsored by Brian Stewart, which would allow a so-called pilot project to do detention hearings by video conference in the 2nd Circuit and in Knox County.
IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that the Commission should take a role with these bills and stated that these possibilities are already being discussed within Redeploy. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked Wendy Nussbaum to inform JDAI Chairperson Velasquez that the Commission would like some form of response from the Committee regarding these bills. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he has also reached out to Karrie Rueter from DHS regarding HB 4336 and the likelihood that CCBYS will be the key service provider for the under-14 population. He stated there has been pushback from service providers due to a lack of
placements and shelter care downstate, meaning that the bill will be likely opposed without the provision of an answer to these concerns. He further informed the Committees that the next CCBYS managerial meeting will occur on March 9, 2018. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that HB 4336 is a JJI bill and that, as drafted, has an explicit inclusion that IJJC would examine questions around CCBYS and alternatives to detention for young children, and make a recommendation by July of 2019. She stated that she recently met with Betsy Clarke (JJI) and Andi Durbin (ICOY) regarding the pushback from CCBYS providers due to concerns pertaining to capacity. She believes that the agreement that they reached was to examine these questions, identify issues around shelter care, and find some common ground. She believes that ICOY is tentatively supportive of the bill due to the delayed implementation and with the explicit requirement of dialog around the role of CCBYS in detention alternatives for children. She also believes IJJC would host these discussions. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the Commission thus must decide whether or not to take on this role. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he does not have any objections to IJJC taking on this role and recommended that Commission members attend the upcoming CCBYS managerial meeting. Amanda McMillen stated that she usually attends these meetings. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked Wendy Nussbaum to attend as well, emphasizing the importance of managing the message from the Commission. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that this is also relevant to the DMC Committee's work pertaining to the intersection between mental health and racial disparities. She further referenced the consent decree requiring the state to provide mental health care so that parents do not have to relinquish their children to DCFS and/or the delinquency system to access mental health care. She stated that this overlaps with discussions of young children facing detention and the role of CCBYS in lockouts and family conflict response. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that CCBYS should play a central role in addressing these issues providing that they are capable, accountable, and resourced properly.
IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that the result will be either to come to an agreement with CCBYS or build an alternative plan. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that this will likely involve multiple conversations, requiring an analysis of data to determine the scope and characteristics of young children being detained. She stated that those working within the delinquency system were unaware that shelter care was unavailable for children under the age of 14. Thus, she emphasized the importance of a common understanding of facts, system functioning, the needs of children and families, and which parts of the system should be responding. She concluded by stating that it is necessary to develop a sense of best practice and noted that CCBYS providers have asked for guidance regarding their role in advocating against detention.
Commissioner Hill asked if this issue of young children being detained pertains to DCFS or the juvenile justice system. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that, approximately 10 years prior, DCFS chose to eliminate involvement with the juvenile justice system. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the scope of this problem involves approximately 50 children per year statewide. She added that it is important to examine disparities within these 50 children by region. She also emphasized the importance of IJJC taking on this issue due to the vulnerability of this population and the need for properly-functioning front-end diversion and deflection mechanisms. Commissioner Biehl raised the question of whether addressing this population is the right approach to addressing the overarching larger issue of the system as a whole. Commissioner Hill stated that he predicts that this small population of children will cost the state of Illinois a great amount of money over the next 10 years. Wendy Nussbaum emphasized the importance of fully understanding this population before attempting to determine solutions.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she is willing to lead work pertaining to this issue. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that this will require an enormous amount of work, similar to that involved with addressing youth who sexually offend. He recommended the involvement of a work group and the creation and use of a schedule. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake further stated that this is a bill, not a law, and asked if the Commission would like to accept responsibility with or without the bill. Commissioner Biehl stated that there is also the possibility that the component regarding raising the age will not pass while the component of the IJJC investigation will pass.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the key entities addressing this issue of raising the age of detention, regardless of IJJC's involvement, should be ICOY, DHS, DCFS if willing, and the JJ system. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that it is key to not interfere with law enforcement; it is detention screeners that make decisions regarding this population. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated the traditional path is for law enforcement to call CCBYS but stated that there is currently a lack of enough understanding to determine what the best practices would be. Wendy Nussbaum emphasized the importance of addressing this issue without any preconceived ideas. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he does not believe that detention centers would want 10-year-olds to be sent there and stated that this would likely lead to these children being placed in isolation. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that something that has been raised during discussions regarding emerging adults is that the JJ system cannot be expected to respond to 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds when it must respond to 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds. She stated that one of the strategies for equipping facilities do deal with the emerging adult population is to keep young children out of detention facilities. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that a report is particularly useful in the sense that it can demonstrate the effect of detention on these young children.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that, regarding HB 4336, there is a question regarding whether the Commission accepts the language as written and whether the Commission accepts the overall bill. She believes that the bill is currently in rules. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that one of the things that has hindered the bill in the past is pushback from ICOY and CCBYS regarding capacity. Thus, ICOY may be in a different position due to the incorporation of the planning phase. Commissioner Hill motioned for IJJC to accept responsibility if the bill becomes law and inform the sponsor of this decision. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake seconded the motion. Motion approved. The Commission also agreed to speak to Representative Robyn Gabel and Betsy Clarke regarding the Commission's willingness to complete an investigation if the bill does not pass as a means of helping it to pass in the future.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that the other JJI bill that warrants the Commission's attention is HB 4581, sponsored by Laura Fine and assigned to the House Judiciary Criminal Committee on February 20, 2018. There is no chair for this committee, but the vice chair is Representative Kelly Cassidy and committee members include those who have been involved with juvenile justice reform: Julianna Stratton, Justin Slaughter, Christian Mitchell, and Barbara Wheeler. This bill would raise the age of "delinquent minor" to 21 for misdemeanors and provides that IJJC, in its annual submission of recommendations to the governor and general assembly, include recommendations regarding the inclusion of emerging adults into a developmentally-appropriate justice system. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that this language assumes that the Commission makes an annual report. He stated that this may require additional work, but could be very useful.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs predicts that this bill would involve extensive requirements for the Commission that are similar to those that were required for the past Raise the Age report. Commissioner Hill recommended that someone from JJI attend the next meeting in order to reduce any confusion. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that he supports the Commission's support of this bill. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs said she is currently not pushing for support at this point. She stated that the Cook County data pertaining to the emerging adult population is being examined by Loyola. She stated that Loyola is currently not authorized to share this data, but that there is some capacity to gather, understand, and present this data. She added that there is not full alignment between the philosophies and roles of Loyola and the Commission. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that the availability of data is much greater today than it was at the time of the last raise the age efforts. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she has not had any conversations with people at Loyola about this possibility and she is not certain if there is time to do this before making a decision. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake clarified that the Commission would not be accepting Loyola's suggestions, only its work, and thus does not see a philosophical conflict. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that one way to approach this is to seek a data analysis partner with an understanding and clear negotiation around roles.
Commissioner Biehl stated that this issue has a much greater impact in terms of the number of people, as compared to the impact of HB 4336. She stated that is also a very complicated issue and does not believe that the Commission currently has the capacity to address both issues. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that funding should not be an impediment for this work. Commissioner Biehl stated that the option of utilizing funding increases the Commission's capacity. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that how the Commission perceives the language can affect whether these issues are relevant to the Commission. She asked if the Commission should push back on the language including emerging adults in the enabling statute. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake stated that it is important to consider how narrow or broad of a scope is necessary to be useful. Commissioner Hill emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of juveniles before addressing the needs of emerging adults. Commissioner Biehl stated that she disagreed and cited an understanding of brain development as a means of considering emerging adults as part of the category of youth. Commissioner Hill stated that the problems involved with emerging adults should be solved earlier. Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that she agrees with both perspectives and that the question that the Commission must consider is whether or not to even address these questions surrounding emerging adults by accepting the charge to look at emerging adults. She stated that the only other possible entity to address this question is ICJIA.
Planning and Grants Chairperson Jacobs stated that, if the enabling language is placed on the Commission, then further conversations must occur, including a conversation with Loyola regarding data and a partnership. IJJC Chairperson Timberlake asked if this issue could be readdressed at the March 21, 2018 Commission meeting, following further investigation.
Public Comment
None heard.
Next Meeting
March 21, 2018
Adjourn