The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The amendments added new evaluation criteria for judges to determine whether a minor 15 years or older shall be criminally prosecuted or is amenable to the care, treatment, and programs of juvenile court.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. For purposes of the Act, “delinquent minor” no longer refers to minors who violated or attempted to violate a federal law before their 18th birthday.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. A neglected minor now includes any minor whose parent or person responsible for their welfare leaves them unsupervised for an unreasonable period without regard for the minor’s mental or physical health, safety, or welfare (previously restricted to minors under the age of 14).

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The amendment ensures that juveniles in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) continue to receive services when facing the possibility of juvenile detention.

On Oct. 6, 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court held that under section 5-120 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, a juvenile may be adjudicated delinquent for unlawful conduct committed outside of Illinois.

On Aug. 9, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to transfer a case to a juvenile court for a juvenile defendant is not waived by a guilty plea.

On April 18, 2022, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed a juvenile’s conviction and sentence of conditional discharge following adjudication as a juvenile delinquent minor. M.G. was charged with unlawful cannabis possession with intent to deliver and unlawful consumption of alcohol.

The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended to allow courts to appoint special advocates for juveniles in certain circumstances.

The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by adding a new section titled “Access to news media.” All youths in the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services are entitled to the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. and Illinois constitutions.

This Act expands the age range for youth eligible to have an appointed guardian. Before the amendment, Illinois law only allowed children and youth under 18 to be appointed a guardian.

The defendant, age 14 at time of shooting, was convicted after jury trial of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder and sentenced to a 76-year aggregate term.

On Sept. 24, 2020, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a juvenile defendant sentenced to more than 40 years is entitled to a new sentencing hearing under the 40-year-cap rule for juveniles in Buffer.

The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by changing sections 1-3, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, and 5-915 and by adding sections 5-920, 5-923, and 5-925.

The Illinois Supreme Court reversed a circuit court's sentence of a juvenile as an adult who had been tried, but not convicted, for offenses listed in the "automatic transfer" procedure of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

The Illinois Supreme Court held that a prior juvenile adjudication is the equivalent of a prior conviction for purposes of extended-term sentencing.

A proposed amendment to the Uniform Code of Corrections would allow certain youth offenders to petition for sentencing review.

The Department of Children and Family Services ("DCFS") adopted amendments to the Service Appeal Process that clarify effects of certain juvenile court decisions upon the DCFS.

On February 9, 2015, the Fourth District Appellate Court held that a 90-day treatment program that subjects participants to physical control, a regimented structure, and surveillance amounts to detention for purposes of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, 705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq. ("Juvenile Act").

On August 4, 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court held that section 5-615 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, 705 ILCS 405/5-615 ("the consent provision"), is constitutional.

As of January 1, 2017, courts may not place an adjudicated delinquent or a minor charged with a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 with the Department of Children and Family Services unless the minor...

While most juvenile law enforcement records are property of the State, must not be destroyed, and usually must be accessible to the public, these rules do not apply to records expunged under subsections 1.5 and 1.6 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.