State's attorney highlights juvenile program successes, ACEs presentation and recidivism drop

KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill. — State's Attorney Jim Rowe told the Criminal Justice Committee on Oct. 15 that the office has recorded 658 felony indictments to date this year and that felony domestic violence remains the leading violent offense.

Rowe described a workshop he and Judge Marlo Jones led at a statewide conference on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their link to juvenile involvement in the justice system. He said the presentation included an ACE survey exercise and emphasized prevention and intervention measures — for example, addressing food insecurity as a modifiable ACE through food pantries and employment connections.

Rowe highlighted the county’s Justice Academy after-school program and other youth initiatives. He said recidivism for youth statewide is roughly 87 percent but that youth who participate in the county’s programs have a recidivism rate under 10 percent. The programs, Rowe said, serve youth who are offenders, diverted from prosecution, or victims of abuse or neglect.

Rowe also noted that Harbor House is a lead local agency for domestic violence response and urged committee members to engage with community events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Committee action: the committee accepted the state's attorney's reports by voice vote.

Why it matters: the state's attorney framed youth programming as a long-term public-safety investment and provided comparative recidivism figures that, if validated, point to program effectiveness in reducing repeat offending among youth.