Lori McCormick is the deputy director of juvenile probation which consist of juvenile intake, juvenile probation, and juvenile intensive probation. The units are located in Room 601 of the Law and Justice Center, located at 104 W. Front St. in Bloomington Illinois,. The phone number is (309) 888-5370, fax (309) 888-5831, e-mail lori.mccormick@mcleancountyil.gov

JUVENILE INTAKE:
The majority of juveniles referred to the court services department do not experience a formal appearance in juvenile court. Juvenile intake offers informal services to "first time offenders" by conducting preliminary conferences with the juveniles and their parent(s). In these conferences the intake officer impresses the seriousness of the offense to the juvenile and completes an assessment with the juvenile and their family to ascertain any problems they may be experiencing. If at the preliminary conference it is determined the juvenile may need additional supervision, a 90 to 365 day voluntary informal probation period may be offered. During this informal probation period the juvenile is seen weekly with various services being offered (counseling, tutoring, big brother/sister, etc.)

The intake unit conducts a monthly retail theft panel for juvenile offenders who have a police contact for retail theft. This panel consists of a local police officer and representative from a retail establishment who talk to the youth and their parent (s) regarding the cost of retail theft to the community. The juvenile must write, at the minimum, a 250-word essay describing the experience of the panel and what they have learned.

The intake unit conducts monthly morgue tours for juveniles who have a police contact for an alcohol or drug related offense. The minor and their parent(s) tour the county morgue and speak to a deputy coroner regarding the alcohol/drug related deaths of young people. The minor must write, at the minimum, a 250-word essay describing their experience and what they have learned.

Another component of the Intake Department is a court ordered home confinement program. This program is designed and operated under the concept that some juveniles who are in secure custody can receive the increased structure and supervision that they require while in their home. The intake department will insure that an approved supervisor is with the youth 24 hours a day. Along with the increased supervision, the minor is readily accessible to support services and is accountable for his/her own behavior.

JUVENILE PROBATION:
It is the primary job of the juvenile probation officer to supervise and monitor juveniles who are placed on court ordered probation. The officer monitors the juvenile's adjustment in the home, community ,and at school. This monitoring is completed by meeting on a regular basis with the juvenile, parents, school officials and any community agency providing services to the juvenile.

The juvenile probation officer is also responsible for writing detailed social histories to assist the court in determining a disposition for the juvenile. When it is determined that due to a juvenile's behavior they cannot live in the community without additional services, it is the juvenile probation officer's responsibility to refer and recommend to the court placement of the juvenile outside of their home. These placements may be in a foster home or residential group home. As a last alternative, the court may order the minor committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

JUVENILE INTENSIVE PROBATION (IPS):
The IPS officer's role is to provide comprehensive, aggressive, daily supervision to high-risk juvenile offenders as an alternative to commitment to the Department of Corrections. The juvenile is court ordered in the IPS program for the length of the probation term, or until successfully completing a three (3) level phase program. If the juvenile completes the program before the probation period, he/she would be egressed to regular probation. In addition to the regular terms of probation, the juvenile must abide by a strict curfew, participate in community service employment, cog intervention therapy, and submit to regular drug and alcohol tests to ensure they are drug free.