August 25, 2011 Communications Sub-Committee Meeting

Open to the general public.

Date/Time

August 25, 2011
12:00 -2:00 PM

Location(s)

  • DHS/CHP
    823 E Monroe
    Springfield, IL
  • Northwestern University
    420 E. Superior Street
    8th floor Chicago, IL

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of minutes
  4. Review of mandated reports: Status updates
    1. SB1725 Juvenile Reentry Improvement Study
    2. Raise the Age
    3. SB2151 - Sex Offender Bill
  5. Social Marketing
  6. Results Based Accountability
  7. Other Items / Next Steps
  8. Next meeting date
  9. Adjournment

Minutes

  1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 12:20PM.
  2. Roll Call: Chairman Timberlake, Commissioners Julie Biehl, Dana Weiner, Michael Rodriguez, Lisa Jacobs. Guests Present: Stephanie Kollman. Staff Present: Karrie Rueter, Julie Stremlau, Lin Ferguson and Jeff Bradley.
  3. Approval of Minutes: Lisa Jacobs made a motion to approve the July 28, 2011 minutes. Dana Weiner seconded the motion. All in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.
  4. Review of mandated reports: Status updates
    1. SB1725 Juvenile Reentry Improvement Study: Judge Timberlake reported that the response to the message and draft report he has presented has been positive. He feels that the lawyers he has visited don't have an understanding of the operational details and lack of functionality of the Parole Review Board (PRB). He feels that we are in a good place with the Legislature but realizes that there will be pushback politically and from some who look at this as a public safety issue gone wrong. That gives us the information needed to develop the public message. The outcome of multiple meetings with Jerry Stermer, Director Bishop and Toni Irving was to consider having the PRB make the release decisions instead of DJJ. A set of standards would need to be developed as well as training to make this possible and consistent with the principles identified by the Commission. Commissioner Biehl reported that DJJ felt that they did not currently have the internal capacity to be responsible for the release decisions. Judge Timberlake suspended other legislative meetings until after he meets with Toni Irving tomorrow. Commissioner Jacobs made a motion that we make a recommendation at September 20, 2011 Commission Meeting that may include adaptation or revision to our original recommendation based on the meetings and discussions between now and then. Dana Weiner seconded the motion. All in favor. None opposed.Motion passed.
    2. Raise the Age: Stephanie Kollman gave a summary of her work on the raise the age study. She discussed the rate of 17 year old arrests in 2010. She provided the ICJIA 17 Year Old Arrest Chart, 2005-2010 which shows a drop in 17 year old arrests for misdemeanors in 2010. Commissioner Jacobs added that it is important to note that police are mandated to report felony arrests and not misdemeanors. She has no reports on court cases. ICJIA has requested the report from AOIC but has not received it. Beth Compton asked to meet with Stephanie to discuss Raise the Age felony issues. 94 letters were mailed to 12 county entities on August 1, 2011. Stephanie explained to those she would be interviewing, that neither their counties nor those interviewed will be identified. She hasn't heard back from anyone in southern Illinois regarding the survey and inquired as to whether to go there to interview in person or do interviews by phone. Chairman Timberlake recommended she go in person. Response rate is at 41% now. Of that 41% she has spoken to 38%. It was discussed and Stephanie agreed that she will provide the Commission's purpose for the survey.
    3. SB2151-Sex Offender Bill: Commissioner Biehl reported that she and Commissioner Jacobs met with Loyola staff to see how to move forward. They have requested people to sit on a Committee. The date of the first meeting is September 15, 2011, 12:30-2:30 at Loyola. Work plan will be developed to determine roles and what is needed from CPRD. Commissioner Biehl invited Susan Witkin and Peter Mulhall to the meeting. Commissioner Biehl stressed the importance of renaming the initiative on sex offense/behavior and charges that apply to juveniles that are not criminal. The term is broad and varied. Commissioner Weiner stated that the language used with the CANS, which has clinical implications, is "sexually reactive". Commissioner Jacobs surmised from the conversation that a report should be written to the General Assembly that informs and drives decision-making around juvenile sexual behavior/offenses at two levels: better youth outcomes and public safety. Peter Mulhall and Susan Witkin were asked to provide guidance in what to look for in the data to develop a good data profile that would drive the two outcomes.
  5. Social Marketing: Commissioner Michael Rodriguez requested that he and Chairman Timberlake get together with Latino legislators and asked for dates when he is available. Commissioner Rodriguez also wants to discuss membership of advocacy groups and investigating data bases that are available for our use on the advocacy end. Jeff Bradley added that we want to change the minds of elected officials and mind set of the public. He would like to set goals for social marketing and use RBA to develop a strategy. Commissioner Biehl will find out if Phil Lee is available for the next Communications meeting to provide technical assistance on this issue.
  6. Results Based Accountability: Phil Lee is ready to provide technical assistance in any way we need him to be available.
  7. Other Items / Next Steps: 
    1. Make a recommendation at September 20, 2011 Commission Meeting that may include adaptation or revision to our original recommendation based on the meetings and discussions between now and then.
    2. Work with CPRD to get guidance in what to look for in the data to develop a good data profile that would give background for the report to the General Assembly on better youth outcomes and public safety surrounding juvenile sex offenses.
    3. Work on developing a new term that portrays juvenile sex offenses in a different light.
    4. Contact Phil Lee to check on availability for next meeting.
  8. Next meeting date: September 22, 2011, 2:00-4:00.
  9. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Biehl, seconded by Commissioner Weiner. Meeting adjourned at 1:50PM.