A legislative leader says Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to close the Kewanee youth correctional center is a chance to reduce "warehousing" young people.
Sen. Donne Trotter is co-chairman of the legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The commission must conduct public hearings on facility closures but its recommendations are non-binding.
The Department of Juvenile Justice says it will close Kewanee July 1 to focus on more community-based treatment for youthful offenders. Trotter says that's a good idea.
Kewanee is 150 miles southwest of Chicago. Trotter says many offenders are from Chicago and would benefit from being closer to families who can help redirect the wayward young people while they get education or mental health treatment they need.
The union representing youth center workers worries that maximum-security residents at Kewanee won't be properly housed.
