The intent of the Redeploy Illinois (RI) program is to grant funds to counties that will establish a continuum of local, community-based sanctions and treatment alternatives for juvenile offenders who would otherwise be incarcerated if those local services and sanctions were not available, as required by 730 ILCS 110/16.1.

Redeploy Eligible youth include any youth under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, not currently in IDJJ, that is facing a possible commitment to IDJJ.

In exchange for these program funds, the provider agrees to reduce the number of Redeploy Illinois eligible commitments from that county by a minimum of 25% compared to the agreed upon baseline. Redeploy eligible commitments, for purposes of determining baselines and measuring reduction, exclude minors sentenced based upon a finding of guilt of first-degree murder or an offense which is a Class X forcible felony as defined in the Criminal Code of 1961.

The RI sites will assist the Department in identifying effective models to reduce commitments and guide replication efforts in other parts of the state. These funds will be used to help sites fill the gaps in the existing continuum of programs and services for delinquent youth, allowing counties to cost effectively serve youth locally and reduce their reliance on IDJJ.

Through Redeploy Illinois, counties will link each youth to a wide array of needed services and supports within his or her home community, as indicated through an individualized needs assessment. Services will be provided in the least restrictive manner possible, and include, but are not limited to, case management, court advocacy, education assistance, individual, family and/or group counseling, and crisis intervention.

Counties interested in becoming a full Redeploy Illinois program site must first participate in and complete the Redeploy Illinois Planning Grant process (Phase 1). The Redeploy Illinois Planning Grant is intended to allow counties to explore the possibility of becoming a full Redeploy Illinois Program site (Phase 2). Completing this planning process will enhance the county’s ability to more effectively serve juveniles. The planning grant is intended to help the counties understand the initiative, its expectations, how it could positively impact their community and youth, and get a feel for their ability to meet the 25% commitment reduction requirement. This is important because this reduction requirement has been the most cited reason for counties not applying to be a Redeploy Illinois site because failure to meet this requirement may result in a financial penalty that must be paid by the county for every youth in excess of the requirement. Upon completion/submission of the Planning Grant Final Report, the Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board (RIOB) will invite those interested and eligible counties to submit a full Redeploy Program Site application for funding consideration (Phase 2).