Take Action: Protect Children in the Justice System
10/21/25
Illinois Senate Bill 2418 will raise the age for juvenile detention from 10 to 13, establish a Child First Task Force to address the systemic issues in juvenile detention, and create a resource program within the Department of Juvenile Justice for youth committed on nonviolent offenses.
The original bill, the Youth Nonviolent Resource Program, passed the Illinois Senate unanimously in the spring, but it was amended by the House. Senators are encouraged to pass the bill as amended.
Call or email your state senator TODAY and ask them to pass SB2418.
SAMPLE SCRIPT
Dear Senator ___:
As your constituent, I urge you to support and vote for SB2418, which will come before the Senate in the Fall Veto Session.
Senate Bill 2418 requires your concurrence with House amendments on important juvenile justice legislation that the Senate passed in the spring, and consolidates bills that will create a resource program within the Department of Juvenile Justice for youth committed on nonviolent offenses, raise the age of detention of children from 10 to 13, and create a Child First Task Force to address the systemic issues in juvenile detention.
The League of Women Voters believes shelter care and other services suited to their needs should be available to children whose cases are pending. Detention should be reserved for delinquent children who meet professional screening criteria and provided separately from adult programs.
The League supports a juvenile court system that provides opportunities for effective protection, treatment and rehabilitation; meets the individual needs of children and their families; and protects the rights of all affected parties. The court's effectiveness depends on several factors: judicial leadership, personnel with special training in juvenile matters, support services that allow judges to make informed decisions, probation services responsive to the special needs of children, courtroom procedures that reduce unnecessary delays,a wide range of available interventions, and an effective citizen presence.
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