(730 ILCS 195/5)

Sec. 5. State policy. The following statements are the policy of this State:

(1) Understanding that youth have different needs than adults, it is the mission of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to preserve public safety by reducing recidivism. Youth committed to the Department will receive individualized services provided by qualified staff that give them the skills to become productive citizens.

(2) When a youth dies while committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, the response by the State and the community to the death must include an accurate and complete determination of the cause of death and the factors contributing to the death and the development and implementation of measures where necessary and appropriate to prevent future deaths from similar causes.

(3) Professionals from diverse disciplines and agencies who have responsibilities for youth and expertise that can promote youth safety and well-being, particularly while in State custody, should share their expertise and knowledge so that the goals of determining the causes of youth deaths and preventing future youth deaths can be achieved.

(4) A greater understanding of the incidence and causes of deaths of youths in State custody is necessary to aid the prevention of such deaths in the future.

(5) Multidisciplinary and multiagency reviews of youth deaths can assist the Department of Juvenile Justice in (i) developing a greater understanding of the incidence and causes of youth deaths and the methods for preventing those deaths, (ii) identifying any deficiencies in services and systems within the Department of Juvenile Justice that may place youth at greater risk for death while in the custody of the Department, and (iii) identifying and implementing improvements to the Department's systems for delivery of such services.

(6) Access to information regarding deceased youth and their families by multidisciplinary and multiagency mortality review teams is necessary for those teams to achieve their purposes and duties.

(Source: P.A. 96-1378, eff. 7-29-10.)