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ICOY’s Statement on Heidi Mueller’s Appointment to Serve as Next DCFS Director

Heidi Mueller, current Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), has been appointed by Governor Pritzker to serve as the next Director of…

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Illinois Collaboration on Youth Partners with Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s All Children-All Families Initiative

The post below was jointly written by ICOY and HRC and has been reposted from hrc.org For many people, including LGBTQ+ people, forming a…

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August 2023 Legislative Tours Recap

In August, Caritas Family Solutions and Maryville Academy partnered with ICOY to host Legislative Outreach Tours at their facilities in Belleville and Bartlett, respectively….

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ICOY’s Illinois Court of Claims Lapsed Appropriation Flow Chart

Above is a flow chart of the lapsed appropriations process at the Illinois Court of Claims. This process applies for state vendors who provide…

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The Problem With Qualified Residential Treatment Programs in Illinois and the Solution to Repair It

by Ashley DeckertNovember 16, 2022 Illinois is no stranger to the youth mental health crisis and its impact on the state and more specifically…

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Illinois state capitol building

Know What to Expect in This Year’s Election

Each election season, a friend of ICOY’s prepares a guide to help you know what to anticipate during the election. Here is this year’s…

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Shifting the Narrative on Abuse and Neglect

Recently, the ICOY Policy Team hosted a panel discussion, “Shifting the Narrative on Abuse and Neglect.” It focused on prevention, policy solutions, and the…

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Child Welfare Workforce Crisis & the Pat McGuire Child Welfare Education Fellowship Program

Child Welfare Workforce Crisis In recent years, the child welfare system has experienced high rates of employee turnover. The workforce is struggling to retain…

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Image shows a graphic novel open to page where a student tries to share a cookie, but the offer is declined due to an allergy. Also in the image are school snacks with listed allergens.

Legislation in IL: School Standards for Sex Education and Life-Threatening Allergies

Recently, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that updates the state’s standards for sex education in K-12 schools. The voluntary standards will emphasize health, safety,…

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Image shows Senator Mike Simmons standing next to Governor JB Pritzker, Jett Hawkins, and Ida Nelson after the legislation was signed.

Legislation in IL: Inclusive & Safe Learning Environments & Transgender Individuals’ Rights

In recent news, Governor JB Pritzker has signed multiple bills into legislation that directly impact youth in Illinois. Additionally, the “State Second District Appellate Court of Illinois affirmed the expansive protections of…

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