Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Division

312-433-5333

1100 South Hamilton Ave., Room 13, Chicago, IL 60612

Monday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Juvenile Justice Division

The Juvenile Justice Division has exclusive jurisdiction over all minors under the age of 17 who have been charged with violating a federal law, state law or municipal ordinance (other than a traffic, boating, fishing, or gaming law violation).

Juvenile Justice Division Case File

As set forth in the Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1987, cases generally include the following: petition for adjudication of wardship, summons, motions, responses from prosecution and defense, reports and social investigations.

Juvenile files are maintained for a period of 21 years from the date of the case’s initiation. In the 21st year, a petition for destruction of records is made known from the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. Juvenile records are confidential and cannot be viewed by the general public. As dictated by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, 405/1-8 Confidentiality and accessibility of juvenile court records, only those individuals related to the court action may actually view the file. Any other request must be directed to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I file any Juvenile Justice Division pleadings by mail?

    Yes, you may file any pleading for the Juvenile Justice Division by mail.

    My child has been misbehaving/running away/not attending school. What can I do?

    If your child is experiencing behavioral problems, you should contact the youth officer of your local police station to discuss a Minor Requiring Authoritative Intervention (MRAI) petition. If the minor is not attending school, you should contact the school for further direction.

    Are bonds issued in all juvenile cases?

    No, however, bonds are issued on minors who are charged as adults in criminal court. Minors under the age of 17 are held at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center at 1100 South Hamilton Ave., Chicago, IL 60612. To bond out a minor, a parent or guardian must bring cash or cashier's check to the Clerk's Office in the Juvenile Court Center for processing. Only cash will be accepted after regular business hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Once the bond is paid, minors must sign themselves out on the bond form prior to being released.

    If I am juvenile, and I have a warrant issued for me, where do I turn myself in?

    If a warrant has been issued, it is suggested that you go to the Youth Division of the Chicago Police Department located on the Concourse Level of the Cook County Juvenile Center, 1100 South Hamilton Ave., Chicago, IL 60612.

    Where is the Cook County Juvenile Center located?

    The Center is located at 1100 South Hamilton Ave., bordered by Roosevelt Road (1200 S) on the South, Ogden Avenue on the West, and Taylor Street (1000 S) on the North.

     

    Child Protection Division

    The Child Protection Division of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department is established pursuant to General Order 1.2, 2.2 (b). Cases heard in the Child Protection Division involve: child abuse, child neglect, child dependency, private guardianship and termination of parental rights.

    Child Protection Division Case Files

    Case files may contain information of a personal nature, including demographic data such as family background, education, health, etc. Child Protection cases may only be viewed by the child, legal parents, attorneys, judges, judicial officers, social service agencies and law enforcement agencies directly involved with the case, or otherwise by court order. Cases that have been impounded, or in other words sealed from viewing, may only be viewed by court order releasing the cases for review. Content generally includes: Petition for Adjudication of Wardship, Attorney Appearance Form, Response to Petition for Adjudication of Wardship, Continuance orders, Affidavit for Service by Publication, Order for Adjudication, Order of Disposition, Permanency Order, Order to Close Case, case service plans, etc.

    Frequently Asked Questions

      Where is the Child Support Division located?

      Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Child Support Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 55 West Washington St., Room 802, Chicago, IL 60602.

      What are the hours of operation of the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Child Protection Division?

      The hours of operation for the Child Protection Division are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Court Holidays.

      What types of cases are heard in the Child Protection Division?

      Cases heard in the Child Protection Division involve: child abuse, child neglect, child dependency, private guardianship and termination of parental rights.

      Note: Child support cases are NOT heard in the Child Protection Division. For information regarding child support matters, please call the Child Support Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 312-345-4188.

      Where can an Order of Protection be obtained?

      The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) recognizes domestic violence as a serious crime. It creates a legal remedy for domestic violence victims called an Order of Protection and requires that law enforcement officers provide specific types of assistance to victims. An Order of Protection is a written order signed by a judge, which requires an abuser to stop further abuse and/or prevent the abuser from entering the shared home for a period of time. Requests for Orders of Protection in which there have been criminal charges filed or criminal acts reported to the Chicago Police Department, can be processed at the Centralized Domestic Violence Court, 555 West Harrison St., Chicago, IL.