After-school programs in Illinois help fight crime

As parents and state's attorneys, we have peace of mind knowing that kids are safe and supervised at school during the day while adults are at work. But we're worried about what kids are doing when they're not at school.

We call the after-school hours the "prime time for juvenile crime." A survey of police departments around the state some years ago found juvenile crime goes up, on average two-and-a-half times, in the hours between 3 and 6 p.m.

That's why we want to see at-risk Illinois youth in quality after-school programs.

Illinois has an excellent program known as Teen REACH. Teen REACH currently serves 14,000 youths across the state, in communities like Elgin, Wheaton and Waukegan.

At an average cost of $600 per youth served, Teen REACH has achieved remarkable outcomes. For students participating in the 2012 school year, 99.3 percent of Teen REACH high school seniors graduated, compared with an 86 percent statewide average.

Additionally, 93 percent of participants tracked improved their grades while 81 percent improved their school attendance.

Teen REACH model is an effective, efficient and critical program in our communities - one that our state leaders should all be proud to support.

Unfortunately, the Illinois Department of Human Services recently suspended funding for Teen REACH, effective immediately. Additionally, the governor's budget proposal eliminates the program completely next year.

A recent letter to Gov. Rauner signed by dozens of law enforcement leaders requests that Teen REACH be funded as promised for the rest of the year and that it receives level funding in FY 2016. We cannot wait for the expensive criminal justice system to address the needs and problems of our young people.

Robert Berlin, DuPage County State's Attorney

Joseph McMahon, Kane County State's Attorney

Michael Nerheim, Lake County State's Attorney