Lincoln, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A new juvenile correctional facility is opening in Lincoln, on part of land once used for a larger adult facility. But, this facility has a different focus for those who have to be there.
It’s called the “Monarch Youth Center,” and is the first of its kind in the state. For one, most juvenile facilities are closer to the Chicago area. For another, this one in Lincoln is, officials say, about an hour from the cities the families of the 30 teenage boys who will be there live in — roughly 40 percent of the state’s custodies. It’s on 20 acres of the land the former Lincoln Developmental Center sat on.
It was designed, according to Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) Acting Director Rob Vickery, with high school-level classrooms, substance abuse and mental health treatment rooms, and chances to learn about industrial or culinary arts. They will live in one of either two buildings on campus which have both dorm-style rooms and common areas for family meetings and other activities.
And, Vickery says, the chance to make the absolute best of what may be a bad situation for them.
“We are moving away from large, prison-like facilities, and towards smaller, trauma-informed facilities that are located closer to families and home communities,” said Vickery.
“The young people that we serve have experienced a lot; they have experienced loss, trauma, abuse, heartache, poverty, discrimination, and much more. They’re also incredibly resilient and strong, intelligent and funny, and loving. These kids are worth our investment — this investment.”
A price tag on the facility wasn’t immediately available.
According to the state, this is part of an effort called the “21st Century Transformation Plan” that was first announced by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2020, and “focuses on reducing the harm of incarceration by transitioning youth to smaller, regional residential centers closer to their communities, and investing in community wraparound support and intervention services for justice-involved youth,” and potentially reduce recidivism.
“When we invest in evidenced-based rehabilitation over punishment, when we prioritize education and mental health services over incarceration, we’re not just changing individual lives, we are strengthening communities,” said Yaacov Delaney, director, Lt. Governor Juniana Stratton’s Justice Equity Opportunity Initiative.
More than 90 jobs are being brought to the center, with the first set of set of staff and employees graduated from training August 29. In the coming weeks, up to 30 teenage boys will be in the facilities, that also have the latest technology, and the opportunity for youth to make it like home, officials say. As for why no teenage girls will be in the facility, IDJJ officials say less than 10 girls are in juvenile custody are in custody at any given time, so the need isn’t there.
“This investment means something, and it means more than bricks and mortar. This investment is about people,” said Heidi Mueller, former IDJJ Director, now Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. “I think what is so unique and transformative about the Monarch Center in Lincoln is the way that people have been at the center of every single aspect of planning and development and decision-making in this project.”
Why is it called “Monarch Youth Center?” The monarch butterfly is the official Illinois State Insect, and state officials say like how the butterfly develops, they hope the juveniles inside transform into better creatures before flying out into the world.
In addition to traditional classes and trades education, there is a garden that will help grow some of the food for the cafeteria and culinary outs, a number of outdoor recreation areas, and opportunities to partner with other state and local agencies.
(Click on the photos below to see descriptions.)
