The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) celebrated the grand opening of its Monarch Youth Center on Thursday.

LINCOLN, Ill. (WAND) - For two years, construction has been ongoing at the former Lincoln Developmental Center. Now, it has become the Monarch Youth Center, a new juvenile justice facility in Central Illinois. 

"It's a facility designed specifically with our youth in mind that encompasses unique rehabilitative and therapeutic spaces, boasting natural lighting and bright colors," said Tyrie Fluker, the Superintendent for Monarch Youth Center. "Monarch has outdoor recreational spaces and family-friendly spaces that are designed to keep youth actively engaged with one another and staff, fostering trust-based relational supports." 

The facility is filled with bright colors and outdoor lighting so that the kids can feel at peace while they are there. Under their 21st Century Transformation Plan, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is changing its facilities to look less like jails and more like treatment facilities.  

"Think about the message this project sends to the young people and families we serve," said Rob Vickery, Acting Director of IDJJ. "You are worth investing in, you are valuable. The state is invested so that this part of your journey can be as healing and restorative as possible. Even though you're here because of the harm that you've caused, we see a bright future for you."

The facility includes classrooms for vocational instruction, with topics like music, culinary arts and construction. There are also outdoor exercise areas and gardening beds. 

The housing facilities are built with spaces for caseworkers and therapists to hold meetings, reducing the number of times youth have to be transferred between buildings. 

This is the first facility of its kind in Central Illinois. 40% of kids in IDJJ care are from Central Illinois, so this facility keeps them closer to home. 

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