The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center abruptly closed on Dec. 31. The judge who ordered the closure said staffing shortages made it difficult to meet state standards for caring for youth in custody.
Stories by Molly Parker — Capitol News Illinois
Inside Illinois’ Youth Lockups, Children Go Without Basic Services and Face ‘Excessive’ Punishments
State audits point to troubling conditions in juvenile detention centers, but no agency has strong enough oversight to bring about change.
Choate Director Replaced as New Report Says Abuse at the Facility Hasn’t Stopped
A new report by an advocacy agency details how abuse and neglect at Choate have continued despite calls for and promises of reform.
The department’s about-face on Choate’s top leader follows months of reporting on poor conditions at the facility by Capitol News Illinois, Lee Enterprises Midwest and ProPublica.
37 Workers at State-Run Developmental Center Targeted in PPP Fraud Probe
At Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, 37 employees have been fired, resigned or face pending disciplinary action after a state watchdog found that they defrauded a federal pandemic-era small business loan program.
State Watchdog Investigating Employees Accused of Bilking Federal Pandemic Aid Program
Congress intended for the loans issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration, most of which were later forgiven, to keep small businesses afloat and their employees on the payroll as COVID-19 resulted in lockdowns and interrupted commerce.
