Skip to Main Content
  • AOIC
  • Probation Services Division

Probation Services Division | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

(312) 793-4157 (Chicago Office)
(217) 785-0413 (Springfield Office)

Daniel S. Hunt, Assistant Director

The Probation and Probation Officer Act, at 730 ILCS 110/15(1), states: "The Supreme Court of Illinois may establish a Division of Probation Services whose purpose shall be the development, establishment, promulgation, and enforcement of uniform standards for probation services in this State, and to otherwise carry out the intent of this Act." Consistent with its statutory responsibility, the mission of the Probation Division is to improve probation and detention services and programs in Illinois through leadership, assistance, and training. In carrying out this mission, the Division's monitoring, standard-setting, and technical assistance activities extend to all aspects of the administration and operation of Illinois probation and court services departments. These ongoing operational responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Administration of state reimbursement to counties for probation services. For FY 2025, state funding amounts to $152 million for reimbursement of 3,000 probation and detention positions in the 25 judicial circuit courts.
  • Review and approval of annual probation plans. As required by statute, the annual plan is the local probation department's strategic plan for providing evidence-based probation services and programs, it’s certification of services, and application for reimbursement of probation officers’ salaries.
  • Collection and analysis of statewide probation data for resource management, and for policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Administration of probation hiring and promotion policies, and the application/eligibles list procedures.
  • Administration of probation compensation standards and performance evaluation system.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of probation programs and operations to ensure compliance with state standards and guidelines. Among the programs and operations routinely monitored are:
    • Problem-Solving Courts Certification and Recertification
    • Adult Probation Services and Supervision
    • Probation Department Reviews and Reports
    • Adult and Juvenile Risk Assessment and Supervision System
    • Juvenile Detention Screening Criteria
    • Juvenile Probation Services and Supervision
    • Detention Site Reviews and Reports
    • Probation Supervision Fees Administration
    • County and State Grant Program for Probation and Detention
    • Administration of the Illinois Interstate Compact for adult and juvenile probationers transferring into or out of the state.
    • Design, development, and delivery of basic, advanced and specialized professional training for Illinois probation personnel.
    • Interagency and intergovernmental communication and coordination for purposes of information sharing and resource development on behalf of Illinois probation departments.
    • Provision of technical assistance and staff support to circuit courts to improve the administration and operation of probation and detention services in Illinois.

Within Illinois' 25 judicial circuits there are 70 single- or multi-county probation departments supervising over 100,000 individuals in the community. To carry out their public safety responsibilities to the courts and communities they serve, the mission of each probation department is to:

  • Provide complete and accurate pre-sentencing information to the court to facilitate judicial decision-making.
  • Provide differential, community-based supervision and intervention to individuals based upon their risk of re-offending and their need for services.
  • Fully support and invest in an individual’s ability to change resulting in improved quality of life, safer and healthier communities, and reduced recidivism among individuals on probation.
  • Identify and develop new programs which qualitatively and cost effectively enhance community supervision strategies.
  • Provide for the care, safety and security of juveniles in detention facilities pending court action.

Ensure accountability to the victim and the community through restitution and public services programs.

Probation Services