Frequently Asked Questions
Can the residents receive phone calls?
No. Residents are not allowed to receive incoming phone calls. Residents will have an opportunity to make free phone calls to their parents/guardians. A Resident’s attorney or other official may contact the Resident’s caseworker to arrange a phone call with a resident.
Can the residents receive mail?
Yes. All mail must go through the United States Postal Service. Address mail to: Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, {Resident's Name}, (Resident’s Center) 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago, IL 60612. Only letters or cards are allowed. No packages will be accepted and will be returned to the sender.
Can the residents receive money and other items?
No. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center supplies the juveniles with clothing, hygiene, food and commissary items.
Do the residents attend school while they are being detained?
Yes. Residents attend the Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School, a Chicago Public School. The program is a year-round accredited school which allows residents the opportunity to continue their education while detained.
Does the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have religious services?
Yes. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center offers all residents weekly religious services. JTDC has a Chaplin and Catholic Priest who regularly offer religious services to residents. Residents do not have to participate if they choose not to attend.
Does the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have medical health care services?
Yes. Each resident is provided with medical care from the time of admission throughout their period of detention. This continuous care includes a medical screening for his/her clinical history at the time of admission and a health assessment.
Does the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have mental health services?
Yes. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center provides mental health services to all residents.
Does the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center need volunteers?
Yes. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center welcomes volunteers to help provide support for residents. All volunteer activities are provided on-site under the supervision of the JTDC staff. Volunteers must complete an application form, interview, and background check. Additional information can be obtained by calling (312) 433-5775.
What is the difference between the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ)?
Other than residents who have been sentenced, the majority of residents' cases at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center are pre-adjudicatory. This means they are still waiting for the outcome of their case, or the "disposition" of their case, before being released to their parent, guardian, residential placement or the state-run Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is post-adjudicatory, meaning the residents have been found guilty of a delinquent offense and the resident was ordered to serve their sentence at the state facility. Residents in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice can remain there until they are 21-years-old.
Can I set up a tour of the detention center for my child?
Due to both security and confidentiality issues, tours of the secure portions of the facility are not allowed.