Illinois Raise the Age Testimony

In this written testimony presented to Illinois General Assembly, Lael Chester and Vincent Schiraldi share a summary of research showing:

• the potential to increase public safety by applying more effective, developmentally appropriate responses, services and opportunities to this distinct age group;
• the benefits inherent in the juvenile justice system to hold youth up to age 21 accountable in a manner that will allow them to reach developmental milestones critical to desistance of crime and to transition into healthy, law-abiding adults; and
• the important policy implications that we have learned through our work.

Read the full testimony HERE.