Professor Keyria Rodgers, director of Millikin University's Criminal Justice Department and director of the Macon County Teen Justice Program, has been appointed to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Ms. Rodgers is one of 25 members appointed to the Commission by Gov. Pritzker where she will serve a three-year term.

 

The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission develops, reviews and approves the state's juvenile justice plan for federal funds, determines spending priorities for statewide policies and initiatives, and ensures compliance with federal laws and regulations. The Commission also advises the Department of Human Services on juvenile justice and delinquency prevention programs and services.

 

As one of the Commissioners, Rodgers will assist with advising the Governor's administration, the Illinois General Assembly and all of the state government on a wide range of issues that affect public welfare and increase the public good.

"Being appointed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve on the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission means everything to me as a 'pracademic' [practitioner and academic]," Rodgers said. "What excites me most about this appointment is that I will be able to experience how research and evaluation drive policy and practice for juvenile justice all over the State of Illinois." 

 

Keyria Rodgers' professional experience extends across 13 years in government and eight years in higher education/academia. In addition to her director roles at Millikin, she is also a professor of criminal justice, grant administrator for Macon County's Adult Redeploy Illinois program, board member for the Juvenile Justice Initiative, founder of the Global Restorative Justice Partnership (GRJP) which includes members from Hawaii, Chicago, Decatur [Ill.], Houston, Washington D.C., New York, Italy, London, Singapore, Nepal, and [many others], and an independent consultant for grant writing and restorative justice training. Her research interests include public administration, public policy, criminal justice, reentry, social justice, expungement, deflection, diversion, restorative justice, probation, and community-based program development in the United States and around the world.

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As a grant writer and public manager, Rodgers creates budgets for non-profits, government agencies, independent contractors, foundations and community-based organizations. To date, she has written grants and managed more than $4.9 million in various types of funds for government and community-based programming.

Rodgers received her B.A. in Criminal Justice [2008] and her M.A. in Legal Studies [2010] from the University of Illinois—Springfield, and is currently completing her Doctor of Public Administration at the University of Illinois—Springfield.

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Ms. Ariana Speagle serves a part-time Case Manager for the Macon County Teen Justice Program. She has been affiliated with the program for more than (5) five years, and she continues to be an advocate for youth and families in Decatur and Macon County. Ms. Speagle double majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology at Millikin University and completed her degree in 2022. She also serves in a dual capacity as the Expungement Specialist for the Macon County Sheriff’s Office where she supervises and trains her own team to focus on expunging records for Macon County. 

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• TeenJustice@sa-macon-il.us

• Desk line: 217.424.1991

Sheiliane Gragg is a part-time Case Manager for the Macon County Teen Justice Program. She is a full-time student at Millikin University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Ms. Gragg has spent many years working in direct service and has been trained in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Anger Management, Domestic Violence (PAIP), and Motivational Interviewing. Ms. Gragg continues to advocate for youth and families in Macon County by seeking to build partnerships with community-based agencies and school districts on behalf of Teen Justice participants.

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• TeenJustice@sa-macon-il.us

• Desk line: 217.424.5906