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Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform: International Standards

International Standards: 2009 | 2010

Illinois — Chicago City Council Passes Resolution in Support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: On February 11, 2009, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution in support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), agreeing to “advance policies and practices that are in harmony with the principles of the [CRC] in all city agencies and organizations that address issues directly affecting the City’s children.” Chicago joined ranks with nine other cities and two states that had already passed resolutions in support of the CRC—the first comprehensive international treaty that protects children by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services. A diverse coalition of children’s rights advocates and organizations led the effort to pass the resolution. The coalition’s work is part of a national effort to build grassroots support for human rights treaties and to put additional pressure on the federal government to ratify the CRC, which has been ratified by every member of the United Nations except the U.S. and Somalia.

Illinois — House of Representatives Urges United States Senate to Ratify Convention on the Rights of the Child: An Illinois House resolution urges the United States Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The resolution also calls upon state agencies in Illinois to ensure that their policies and programs comply with the convention. The resolution recognizes that “children in the United States continue to face considerable hardships,” including incarceration. The United States and Somalia are the only two United Nations members that have not ratified the convention. H.R. 1143, adopted May 4, 2010.