Director Heidi Mueller applauds the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice's overall efforts for obtaining its employee fundraising goal of $39,977 through the State and University Employees Combined Appeal donation campaign ("SECA").
IDJJ Employees received two awards for the 2017 Campaign: The Division Award for having the greatest percentage of employee participation and The Sustainability Award for maintaining 90-100% of the previous year's contribution.
The theme of this year's campaign is "Making a Difference Since 1983." The campaign runs from September 7 through October 31. IDJJ plans to make this the best SECA Campaign ever!
Civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis visited IYC Chicago on May 31, 2018 to speak with youth and view a performance of the Storycatchers Changing Voices ensemble and Firewriters Theater. Congressman Lewis bought AB7's Hope Hall and the co-author of his award-winning graphic novel series, March. Co-author Andrew Aidan and Congressman Lewis spoke to the youth about their own journeys and the Congressman answered questions from youth about what it was like to walk alongside Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the bridge at Selma. The Congressman left a powerful impression on youth and staff alike.
The staff and administration at IYC Warrenville participated in the annual O'Hare Airport Plane Pull to raise money for Special Olympics. The Warrenville team competed against teams from other law enforcement agencies to see who could pull the jet the furthest. All competing teams had to raise at least $1000 in order to compete. Plane pullers pictured include: Dionne Colbert, Kelly Meeks, Samantha Taylor, Steve Obradovich, Jaime Vasquez, Ashley Buerger, Ashley Stewart, Anthony Anderson, Aaron Harris, Thomas Heard, Geroska Gay, Jr., LaFern Pleasant, John Johnson, and Superintendent Judy Davis.
Governor Rauner joined IDJJ and IDOC in May to remember fallen heroes and honor the Employees of the Year as part of the annual ICEMA ceremony. Recipients of this year's awards include: