Illinois

Statewide: Changing juvenile detention

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published August 20, 2026 at 5:37 PM CDT

Fence outside a juvenile detention facility

Recent state inspections show numerous county-level juvenile detention centers fail to meet state standards. There have also been claims of abuse and lack of oversight. Studies have also shown locking up juveniles can have long-term consequences.

Two new state laws seek to change the system. Peter Medlin speaks with Elizabeth Clarke, founder of the juvenile detention watchdog Juvenile Justice Initiative about the impact the laws could make.

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