Opinion ID: 2169510
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: General Population

Text: The court then addressed whether, under section 5-410, a minor 17 years of age or older with pending delinquency matters may be housed in the general population of a county jail. In arguing that such minors may be housed in the general population, the State relied on section 5-410(2)(c)(v), which states: Minors under 17 years of age shall be kept separate from confined adults and may not at any time be kept in the same cell, room or yard with adults confined pursuant to criminal law. Persons 17 years of age and older who have a petition of delinquency filed against them may be confined in an adult detention facility. In making a determination whether to confine a person 17 years of age or older who has a petition of delinquency filed against the person, these factors, among other matters, shall be considered: (A) The age of the person; (B) Any previous delinquent or criminal history of the person; (C) Any previous abuse or neglect history of the person; and (D) Any mental health or educational history of the person, or both. 705 ILCS 405/5-410(2)(c)(v) (West 2004). According to the State, this language is clear and unambiguous. If housed in the county jail, minors under 17 years of age must be kept separate from the confined adults. By contrast, minors 17 years of age and older may be confined in an adult detention facility without restriction. In rejecting this argument, the appellate court focused not upon section 5-410(2)(c)(v), but instead upon section 5-410(2)(d)(i), which states: If a minor 12 years of age or older is confined in a county jail in a county with a population below 3,000,000 inhabitants, then the minor's confinement shall be implemented in such a manner that there will be no contact by sight, sound or otherwise between the minor and adult prisoners. Minors 12 years of age or older must be kept separate from confined adults and may not at any time be kept in the same cell, room, or yard with confined adults. 705 ILCS 405/5-410(2)(d)(i) (West 2004). After noting that Lake County has a population below 3 million inhabitants, the appellate court explained that section 5-410(2)(d)(i) was clear and unambiguous. With only limited exceptions that are inapplicable here, if a minor 12 years of age or older is confined in the county jail, that minor must be kept separate from the adults and in such a manner that there will be no contact by sight, sound or otherwise between the minor and adult prisoners. Accordingly, the appellate court concluded that, even if he was properly transferred to the Lake County jail, [Randall] should have been confined separately from any adult prisoners. 374 Ill. App.3d at 818, 313 Ill.Dec. 356, 872 N.E.2d 116. We granted the State's petition for leave to appeal. 210 Ill.2d R. 315.