√ CHECK. WE DID THIS! Illinois Needs to Join the Majority. Help Illinois join the 38 other states and the federal government in recognizing that 17 year olds are not adult criminals. Raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 17 year olds. HB2404 is good public policy because it (1) benefits public safety; (2) reduces long-term costs associated with criminal convictions; and (3) is consistent with adolescent development research. HB2404 passed the House on April 16, 2013 and needs your support in the Senate. Please contact your state senator and ask them to VOTE YES for HB2404.
Please contact your state senator and urge them to vote yes!
House Bill 2404 raises the age of jurisdiction for juvenile court to include 17 year olds for some felony offenses. Several years ago, Illinois raised the age to include 17 year olds charged with misdemeanor offenses. After the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission studied the benefits of this change, they recommended raising the age to include most felony offenses. This is good policy since it provides most 17 year olds with the benefits of juvenile court such as mental health services, drug treatment and community-based services. This juvenile court jurisdictional change would align Illinois with 38 other states and the federal government.
There is broad-based support for HB2404, including law enforcement, prosecutors, faith leaders, advocates and community groups.
Please tell your legislators to support HB2404. It is beneficial for public safety, an efficient use of juvenile court resources, and consistent with legal trends.