Youth advocates are applauding Governor Pat Quinn's proposal to close two state juvenile detention facilities.
They point to research that suggests programs that allow young offenders to stay home and receive treatment save money, are more effective at reducing recidivism and don't compromise public safety. Quinn said during his budget address Wednesday that he wants to close the youth detention centers in Joliet and in Murphysboro.
Governor Quinn tried closing the Murphysboro Youth Center last fall but worked out a deal with lawmakers to keep it open through the end of the fiscal year in June. The center has 91-employees.
Illinois' eight juvenile facilities house about 1,000 people at an average cost of more than $85,000 a year. Advocates say they can get better outcomes for less than $12,000 a year. Local officials and the union representing workers at the facilities oppose the closures, saying the facilities provide needed services to troubled youth and valuable jobs to communities.
