Measure allows for quicker approval of Illinois juvenile justice educators

SPRINGFIELD — A measure to make it easier for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to hire educators passed the House Tuesday. But during debate on the house floor, Representative Jack Franks said Central Management Services isn’t the only government impediment to people getting jobs. He has also heard complaints about the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

“I hear folks all the time tell me they work in this state because they can’t get IDFPR to give them their license, or CMS in this instance isn’t getting quickly enough so we can educate our children at the juvenile facilities,” he said. “So, I think this is a much bigger issue than just this bill.”

Sponsor of the CMS measure, state rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, said those issues should be tackled with the new general assembly.

A federal court decree settlement said the state wasn’t doing an adequate job educating the youth within control of the department and the measure that passed the house would allow for quicker approval of those wanting to teach at the Department of Juvenile Justice.