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Quinn Signs Juvenile Court Bill
Starting next year, 17-year-olds charged with misdemeanors will be tried only in juvenile court. Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a bill into law to keep those teenagers out of adult court.

Betsy Clarke, president of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, says teenagers who commit low-level crimes like trespassing in a "TP-ing" prank, or shoplifting, don't keep otherwise good kids from going to college or getting a job. She says that since teenagers' brains haven't fully developed yet, it makes sense to treat them like kids.

This new law also sets up a task force to look into whether the state should keep 17-year-olds charged with felonies in juvenile court too.

It's a big step, Clark says. She's pushing several measures to help give teenagers a second chance, and says the governor's signature on this bill is "really huge."

Another measure awaiting the governor's action would make "Redeploy Illinois" a permanent program, plus expand the program so more youth can try rehabilitation instead of prison.

(Illinois Radio Network)
02 11 09 by Newsroom
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