The state of Illinois has diverted thousands of youth from prison and onto the right path, while saving $60 million in incarceration costs, according to the 2012-2013 Redeploy Illinois annual report recently released by the Illinois Department of Human Services.  The program gives youth a second chance at becoming a contributing and law-abiding citizen of their respective communities.  In 2013, the average per capita cost to house a youth at the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice was $111,000, while the average annual cost to serve a youth in the Redeploy Illinois program was less than $7,000.  IDJJ data reflect 238 fewer youth were committed from Redeploy Counties in 2012.  Although 2013 IDJJ data are not yet available, this trend is expected to continue as Redeploy Counties served 352 youth in 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn’s FY 15 budget proposal would preserve Redeploy Illinois, allowing the successful program to continue to serve at risk youth in nearly 50 counties across the state, including in Washington and Perry Counties.  Through 2012, the Redeploy program diverted 1,232 youth saving the state a conservative $60 million in unnecessary incarceration costs.  Redeploy Illinois supports a wide array of services to help delinquent youth, including counseling, substance abuse and mental health treatment, life skills education and parent and family support services.