DuPage youth home supporters aim to reverse closure decision

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Updated: December 25, 2011 8:10AM

Some of those who argued for the continued operation of the DuPage County Youth Home are undaunted by the decision Nov. 8 to cease operations at the Wheaton detention center.

A newly-formed group calling itself Citizens United to Save the DuPage Youth Home took their case again to the County Board Tuesday, a week ahead of the budget vote that could finalize the agreement to annually incarcerate several hundred DuPage teens who have run afoul of the law at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center instead.

Supporters of the move say the DuPage home, constructed a dozen years ago to house 90 young detainees, typically accommodates fewer than one-third that many. The home is now set up to hold 32 juvenile offenders, and the remaining space is used for the adult work release program run by the county sheriff’s office.

Opponents of the consolidation say with a state law taking effect Jan. 1 that will redefine 17-year-old offenders as juveniles, and shifting demographics suggesting the number of high-risk teens in the county is increasing, this is no time to close down the youth home. They are asking the board to fund the center for another year while more information is gathered about the two facilities.

They point out that the center, at the county complex in Wheaton, is widely acclaimed for its programming and its documented success in guiding teens away from the criminal justice system. The Kane center has done no tracking of recidivism rates.

“As taxpayers, we have to decide where we want to spend out money: on a program that works, or one that doesn’t?” said Aurora resident Siobhan Burke, one of the effort’s organizers and a teacher.

Board members who back the move, approved with an 11-7 vote, say it represents a forward-looking approach to governing that maximizes the efficiencies to be found in collaborative teamwork.

“In terms of reform, as far as opportunities to consolidate government go, this is pretty straightforward,” said Chairman Dan Cronin, who first floated the idea shortly after he took office last December.

The collaboration should be approached in the context of its potential benefits, he said.

“We have a duty and a responsibility to make tough decisions,” Cronin said. “If this was easy, it wouldn’t require leadership.”

Opponents insist the decision is wrong, however.

“It’s shortsighted in leadership and there’s no evidence that this will be of benefit to the taxpayers, or our children,” said Hilary Denk, another of the coordinators of the drive to have the measure reconsidered.

Advocates for the DuPage home pointed out that a wide range of professionals, including former county State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, implored the board to keep the center open.

“Could all these professionals in the justice system be wrong, and do members of the DuPage board know something that they don’t?” said Florence Estes, a staff representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, to which the youth home staff belong.

The move’s foes also say the additional 12 miles needed to take offenders to the St. Charles home would add to the expense borne by the police departments involved, in gas and personnel time as well as taking officers off patrols in their home jurisdictions for longer periods. The accord calls for police transport for initial intake, medical appointments, court-ordered furloughs, hearings and discharge.

Board member John Zediker said he waited until he had enough information before deciding to support the proposal. The County Board members received the agreement late in the day Nov. 4, and voted on the measure Nov. 8.

Burke said the opposition drive will be talking to people at train stations, in retail areas and other public spaces over the coming days.