January 27, 2011 Communications Sub-Committee Meeting

Date

January 27, 2011
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Audience

Open to the Public

Locations

  • Chicago Metropolis
    30 W. Monroe
    18th Floor
    Chicago, IL
  • 100 South Grand Avenue
    Think Tank
    Springfield, IL

Agenda

  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Call to Order
  3. Roll Call
  4. Approval of Minutes
  5. Finalize Committee Charter
  6. Review of mandated reports: Status updates
    1. Annual Report
    2. SB1725 Parole Study
    3. Raise the Age
  7. Communication Strategies
    1. Training
    2. Parole Study Briefing
    3. Dissemination of reports
    4. Priorities/Timeline
  8. Committee Capacity
    1. Funding
    2. Staffing
  9. Other Items/Next Steps
  10. Next Meeting Date
  11. Adjournment

Minutes

I. Welcome and Introductions

II. Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 2:13pm.

III. Roll Call

Co-Chairman Esther Franco-Payne, Co-Chairman Roseanna Ander, Julie Biehl, Lisa Jacobs, IJJC Chairman George Timberlake. Quorum declared present. Staff: Julie Stremlau

IV. Approval of minutes

Commissioner Franco-Payne motioned to approve minutes for December 1, 2010. Commissioner Ander seconded the motion. All in favor, minutes approved.

V. Finalize Committee Charter

No charter discussion.

VI. Review of mandated reports: Status updates

  1. Annual report - Commissioner Franco-Payne reported that initially the committee discussed hiring more staff to complete the Annual Report. However, in order to avoid the hiring process and allowing more time to pass before completing the report, Commissioner Ander and her staff will assist with the Annual Report. Commissioner Biehl and Commissioner Jacobs will address the Department of Juvenile Justice Section. Commissioner Jacobs has met with DJJ staff about the components of this report. The report will address what is being done within DJJ. The report will cover recommendations, concerns, etc. with the intent of examining the master plan as well as the transition team report, and including the DCFS /DJJ transition merger process. Its intent is not to criticize but to give suggestions and focus on specific areas of concern. The report will create expectations and also evaluate that process.
  2. SB1725 Parole Study- Commissioner Biehl gave an overview of the report that will be presented on February 2, 2011 at the Juvenile Justice Data Discussion. She explained what the work the group has done in order to prepare and present this information in the best manner. This will be a difficult task to explain all the information to those whom are not familiar with the data. Chairman Timberlake inquired as to how the legislators will react to the group's findings and suggested the presentation be as neutral as possible. The current system and its structure is what will be presented. Commissioner Biehl explained that this data briefing is being held to explain the information gathered and how that data will affect future programming. The present information is relevant to many people in a variety of roles. The review looks at what is mandated, the methodology and sentencing. Commissioner Ander stated we need to understand how youth move through our system. Commissioner Jacobs added that we need to know what happens to the youth at each stage once they are committed to IDJJ - what happens at the time of incarceration/intake and then transfer/coordination/placement of the youth and then finally the facility based services. Commissioner Biehl responded that the statute, which mandates this study, requires we track and measure outcomes for these youth reviewed. Before moving forward we need to know about these youth so that all systems are on the same page. We are seeking the data on these youth that representatives from each part of the system have and also what they don't have. Commissioner Jacobs agreed and stated we would explain we are still in the information seeking phase.
  3. Raise the Age- Commissioner Jacobs commented that there is a need to determine if this report is even necessary. The question of opposition toward this will guide our response. Chairman Timberlake suggested that the committee do some fact-finding in order to understand the supporters vs. the opposition. Further information will be gathered and final report decisions will reside upon those findings.

VII. Communications strategies

  1. Training-Media training - Not addressed at this time.
  2. Parole study briefing - Full discussion above, briefing set for Feb. 2nd.
  3. Dissemination of reports - Next mtg.

VIII. Committee Capacity

  1. Funding - Not discussed
  2. Staffing - Not discussed

IX. Other Items / Next Steps

X. Next meeting date 

February 24th 2:00pm to 4:00pm

XI. Adjournment

Commissioner Jacobs motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Biehl seconded the motion. All in favor, meeting adjourned at 3:48pm.