The Office of the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman (OIJO) is an independent office co-aligned with Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), created by Senate Bill 2352 (Public Act 98-1032) in 2014. The Ombudsman’s role is to ensure that the rights of youth committed to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice are fully observed, and to assist in pursuing services for committed youth and their families determined to be in need of assistance. (730 ILCS 5/3-2.7-1, et seq.) Kathleen Bankhead was appointed as Ombudsman in 2015.
The OIJO reports directly to the Governor and Members of the Illinois General Assembly.
The OIJO may be contacted:
Office of the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
1112 S. Wabash Ave. 2nd floor
Chicago, IL 60605
312-814-8990
Kathleen.Bankhead@doc.illinois.gov
Reports:
OJIO Special Report on COVID-19 - NEW
OIJO Annual Report 2018
OIJO Annual Report 2017
OIJO Annual Report 2016
IDJJ's Reponse:
IDJJ Response to OIJO 2017 Annual Report
IDJJ Response to OIJO 2016 Annual Report