FFY 2010 Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 376ee). The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that States and Territories are addressing the specified program purpose areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP. JABG funds are allocated to States and Territories based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of graduated sanctions that are proportionate to the offenses, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) will use FFY10 JABG funds for the purpose of continuing statewide programs that implement offender-focused and system focused activities to promote accountability. ICJIA serves as Illinois' designee to administer JABG funds. During the past three years, ICJIA has designated more than 70 percent of JABG funds to units of local government for programs focusing on purpose areas: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 17. ICJIA has designated remaining amounts for state programs focusing on purpose areas 9, 11, and 17. ICJIA will use FFY10 JABG funds to continue these designation level amounts; as well as, continue programs that focus on those purpose areas consistent with statewide initiatives. ICJIA will continue to work with local and state government to achieve goals consistent with JABG. Specifically, ICJIA will use JABG funds for programs that 1) demonstrate goals for achieving accountability for both juvenile offenders and the juvenile justice system, 2) attempt to process more than three-quarters of youth using graduating sanctions, and 3) work to reduce recidivism by program participants to less than 30 percent.
(NCA/NCF)