Release Date 07-20-2010

CHICAGO, IL – State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) Chairperson of the House Appropriations – Public Safety committee, has scheduled a hearing to discuss the proposed merger of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Family Services.  The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28 in room 9-040 of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, IL and will begin at 10:00am.

In March of 2010, Governor Quinn proposed the merger between the two agencies in his budget address stating that the merger is expected to save money, bring new expertise in winning federal grants and help build a much-needed program to support young inmates once they are released from state correctional facilities.  Governor Quinn said it is important to have the agency combined with DCFS, so the youth in the juvenile corrections system can get the benefits of DCFS programs.  Previously, the Department of Juvenile Justice was part of the state’s prison system, the Department of Corrections.  Last decade, Juvenile Justice was separated as its own agency but continued to share many resources with Corrections.

“There are still many unanswered questions and unresolved issues regarding this merger which has raised concern from members of the General Assembly,” Yarbrough said.  “This hearing provides a great opportunity for the Governor’s office to answer these questions so that the Legislature can be properly informed when the issue is brought to a vote.”

For more information, contact Yarbrough’s office at (708) 615-1747.