Troubled youth may see more programs

Juvenile delinquents in Lee and Whiteside counties may get more creative options for rehabilitation, possibly as soon as this fall. That possibility hinges on whether the counties apply for an Illinois Redeploy grant. Stipulations for the grant, which are part of an initiative meant to reduce the number of juvenile delinquency cases, put a special emphasis on partnering with community groups. John E. Payne is the statewide coordinator for Redeploy and a former Lee County juvenile judge. "One of the most discouraging things when I was on the bench was with regard to youth that would be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice," Payne said. "[They would] come out, and there'd be a lack of follow-up services. ... As a result of that, th