Juvenile Justice in Champaign County: A Wicked Possibility (Part 2)

The second of two sessions on juvenile justice in Champaign County. Social worker Sam Smith framed the discussion around definitions of justice (transitional, restorative, retributive, transformative), then asked four panelists to describe their work, the obstacles they face, and one partnership or policy change they want: Tracy Dace of DREAAM, Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz, researcher Ebonie Epinger of the Center for Prevention Research and Development, and Erica Hughes, statewide coordinator of Redeploy Illinois. Topics included the youth Assessment Center as a diversion point, gun violence, support for young women and families, and flexible state funding. Audience questions followed.