Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he expects crime will spike "at some point" because the state budget impasse is leading to cutbacks of a juvenile offender program. Rauner says data doesn't show any increase in crime since several counties have been forced to close Redeploy Illinois. But he says "it will."
Rauner's comments go a step further than what the administration's public safety director has said about reductions to a program that provides a community alternative to juvenile jail. Some areas say they've already noticed the impact.
In Rockford, police attribute at least part of a juvenile crime wave this year to an area Redeploy program closing.
Roughly $5 million was allocated to Redeploy before the impasse. But without a budget, money isn't being distributed, forcing closures.
