Kane juvenile judge, superintendent appointed to state task force

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis appointed Kane County Circuit Judge Sandra Parga chair of the Juvenile Detention Practices Task Force, and Juvenile Justice Center Superintendent Michael Davis to serve on the committee as an expert, officials announced in a news release.

Parga is Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Chief Justice Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court,” Parga said in the release. “I’m looking forward to working with the many experts across the state who share the same concern for the balance of public safety with the well-being of the children detained.”

Davis is widely regarded as a leader in the field of county juvenile detention and has participated in several committees reviewing programming in detention services, according to the release.

“It is an honor to be appointed to the task force in recognition for the work we have done,” David said in the release. “I am excited to be a part of the collaboration with the judiciary to develop recommendations to improve the care and outcomes for the youth we serve.”

The Juvenile Detention Practices Task Force was formed as part of the Court’s strategic plan to strengthen juvenile detention practices. The task force reports to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Illinois has a complex system of juvenile detention oversight and accountability, as set forth in Illinois law and policy. The focus of the initiative is to develop recommendations for improving the administration and accountability of care.

The Juvenile Detention Practices Task Force is expected to study the current system and make recommendations to the Supreme Court by October on:

• Developing a juvenile detention system map identifying authority and requirements for funding, administration, monitoring and oversight.
• Exploring different models of detention, such as community-based models and their potential implementation or expansion.
• Studying evidence-based practices in detention, including admissions, mental health screenings and educational services with the goal of making recommendations if specific changes are needed in policy or practice.
• Recommending other strategies for system improvements and consistent practices across the state in collaboration with state and county partners.

Parga has served as chair of the New Judge Committee for the College of Judicial Education, co-chair of the Biennial Juvenile Conference, and a member of the Juvenile Benchbooks Editorial Committee, according to the release.

Parga also continues to serve as faculty for juvenile justice courses.