Announcement, Press Release |
Following months of intensive work by the Juvenile Transition Committee and its affiliated workgroups, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced a series of actions designed to modernize and humanize the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Juvenile Justice System.
During a meeting with committee members last week, Chief Judge Beach thanked the workgroups for their extensive analysis and recommendations, noting that juvenile justice reform remains a top priority for his new administration.
“We want to create a humanized system that centers the young people who come before our courts,” said Chief Judge Beach. “I am particularly grateful to the youth who shared their experiences with us. Their voices will continue to play a critical role in shaping this work moving forward.”
Creation of a Director of Juvenile Services Position
Acting on the recommendations delivered by the committee, Chief Judge Beach announced the creation of a new director of juvenile services, a senior leadership position that will oversee the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) superintendent and the chief probation officer. The director will also work directly with juvenile court judges to improve coordination, accountability, and policy implementation across the system.
Beach said this new structure will strengthen the alignment among the JTDC, Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department, and the judiciary, ensuring better communication and shared responsibility for youth outcomes.
Executive Search Committee to Launch Immediately
Chief Judge Beach will convene an executive search committee to identify high-quality candidates for the new director of juvenile services. Committee chairs and leadership are finalizing the membership of the search committee, and the roster will be announced in the coming days. The selected director will receive the full set of recommendations produced by the transition workgroups, including principles for reform, youth-voice integration strategies, policy proposals to reduce detention, operational restructuring guidance, and data-tracking needs.
Redefined Leadership Roles at JTDC and Juvenile Probation
In addition to creating the director position, the roles of both the JTDC superintendent and the chief probation officer will be redefined to support a more integrated approach to detention, supervision, and rehabilitation. Once the director is selected, they will lead the hiring process for both redefined roles.
Ongoing Opportunities for Engagement
Committee members and the public will have opportunities to share ideas and provide input as the search process moves forward. Once job descriptions for the director, JTDC superintendent, and chief probation officer are created and posted, the committee will welcome recommended candidates and community suggestions.
Commitment to Continued Reform
Chief Judge Beach emphasized that the actions announced today reflect the start of ongoing reform efforts, not the conclusion.
“Our goal is not only to implement these recommendations, but to build a system that listens, adapts, and stays accountable to the youth and families it serves,” he said. “We are grateful for the insight, energy, and commitment of everyone who contributed to this process.”
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