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Stephenson County officials review youth diversion fund after statute repeal
Summary
County staff reported that a state statute establishing the youth diversion fund was repealed and the county now relies on a local ordinance and civil assessments to fund diversion programs; commissioners discussed possible local parameters and revenue limits but took no formal action.
Stephenson County officials reviewed the status of the county's youth diversion fund and its revenue sources during a May 7, 2025, service meeting, after staff said a state statute that once established the fund was repealed and funding now comes from a county ordinance and assessments.
The issue matters because it affects how the county can use money collected from court fines and fees to fund diversion programs for juveniles and others, and commissioners discussed the need to set local parameters for eligibility and spending.
Larson, a county staff member, told the board, "The statute that established the youth diversion fund was 55 ILC 5 forward slash 5 1 11 o 1 sub paragraph e. That statute was repealed, effective June February by the Grama Traffic and Assessment Act." He said the change meant "it's not a state statute anymore. It is now a county ordinance," and that the county "has the authority to, assess that kind of fee from ordinance, which is what we're doing." The staff discussion noted that the county enacted an ordinance in February to establish civil fees, criminal and traffic assessments to support the fund.
Board members and staff described how revenue availability has fallen because fewer or consolidated charges reduce the number of assessments. One county speaker said the $5 assessment applied regardless of whether multiple charges were combined, and that consolidation of charges reduced the fund's receipts. Chanel, a county staff member, reported the diversion fund balance and receipts: "We have $9,799.73," she said, and she added that the office has collected "$966.91 this year" with additional amounts recently submitted.
Commissioners discussed options: setting local age parameters (one member suggested "12 to 18 years old" as a possible range), clarifying program eligibility for youth "not in the system," and whether the county or cities (the City of Freeport was referenced) might supplement funding. Larson and other speakers said some details in prior state guidance had been anticipated to be fixed by the state but were not, leaving the county to rely on local ordinance drafting.
No formal motion or vote was taken on changing the diversion fund ordinance or directing staff to adopt specific eligibility rules. The chairman said the county would continue discussion and expected to revisit the topic in June.
Other operational matters mentioned during the same reports included staffing and office updates: a new receptionist named Kathy, installation of dual monitors funded by a grant Chanel applied for, a new water dispenser installed with help from Travis Luce, and planned installation of courthouse lobby and jury deliberation-room TVs and new copiers. Those items were presented as routine staff updates and did not result in board action at the meeting.
The meeting approved the agenda, minutes from April 9, 2025, and claims by voice vote before moving to staff reports; those routine approvals carried without recorded dissent.
