Probation officials report stable caseloads and a much smaller-than-expected juvenile grant cut

At the April 8, 2026 circuit-wide probation meeting, Susan, director of probation, reported March caseload and financial figures for LaSalle, Bureau and Grundy counties and said officials would absorb a smaller-than-expected cut to the juvenile redeploy grant.

Susan said the juvenile active caseloads were: LaSalle 87 (administrative 8), Bureau 19 (administrative 1) and Grundy 16 (administrative 0), for a circuit total of 131 juveniles on probation. On adults, she reported LaSalle had 477 active cases (280 administrative), Bureau 121 active (42 administrative) and Grundy 140 active (196 administrative), for 738 active adult cases and 1,256 adults on probation across the 13th Circuit.

The finance update listed March probation fees ordered and collected by county. Susan said the circuit ordered $16,845 for March and had collected $7,075.18 in fees for the month; collected-to-date totals for the circuit were $20,597.48.

In a grant update, Susan said the state signaled a system-wide reduction to juvenile redeploy funding and sites were initially told to expect up to a 15% cut (which would have been roughly $107,679 for this circuit). After submitting usage and impact information, the circuit’s award was reduced by only 1%, a reduction of about $7,000. "They ended up only cutting 1%. So, we only lost $7,000," Susan said. She added staff would reallocate some probation-fee-funded items (for example, evaluations) if necessary to cover shortfalls.

Susan also noted the adult grant allocation had not yet been finalized; officials must submit proposals and await the state’s determination.

On billing, Susan summarized county expenses included in meeting packets: a Grundy County River Valley Detention bill for 27 days ($6,075); the Bureau County Aid to Dependent Children account balance remained $250,000; and LaSalle County reported one juvenile in residential placement. She described variability in placement costs depending on facility and services: some placements run around $550 per day, others (Indian Oaks) around $825 per day, and some like Focus House were lower — staffing and service needs determine placement and cost. She said placements require assessment and a judge’s order and that juveniles placed for treatment can be placed in temporary guardianship to the director of probation for payment purposes.

The meeting included a payroll and fair-share review: March salaries totaled $151,682.83 with fringes of $75,146.12. Susan detailed each county’s share of salary and fringe allocations and noted the specially court officer costs and anticipated AOIC reimbursement.

Routine business actions were completed by voice votes. Members approved the previous meeting minutes, accepted the department report (motion moved by Jim; seconded by Bill), and approved bills for payment (motion moved by Jim; seconded by Harold); the votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried. No citizen comments were recorded. The group scheduled the next circuit-wide meeting for May 13, 2026 and adjourned.

The meeting record does not include roll-call vote tallies; motions were decided by voice vote. The budgetary and grant items discussed will be subject to future updates as state allocations are finalized.