Research and Analysis Unit Overview
The Research & Analysis Unit serves as Illinois’ Statistical Analysis Center (SAC). State SACs provide objective analysis of criminal justice data for informing statewide policy and practice. The Illinois SAC is affiliated with and supported by the Justice Information Resource Network (JIRN), a national nonprofit organization that promotes collaboration and exchange of information among state SACs, and acts as a liaison between state agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice.
R&A has taken a leadership role in convening policymakers and practitioners to coordinate and improve system response to crime and to promote the use of evidence-based and promising practices at the state and local level. The unit staffs statutorily created criminal justice initiatives. It also develops statistical methodologies and provides statistical advice and interpretation to support criminal justice decision-making and information needs.
Center for Community Corrections Research
Karl Gruschow, Manager
The Center for Community Corrections Research conducts research and evaluation projects on interventions designed to divert individuals from prison; and, to improve re-entry for persons returning to their communities after incarceration. The goal is to expand the use of effective community interventions using evaluation, research, and implementation science. Center staff collect and analyze a variety of data including administrative, qualitative and quantitative. Research and evaluation reports are designed to influence Illinois policies regarding the use of interventions such as problem-solving courts, probation, behavioral and medical treatments; and, to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions to reduce prison recidivism in diverse populations. The Center develops data visualizations and dashboards to assist with program management and improvements. Center staff publish research and evaluation reports, work in collaboration with external evaluators, and provide research presentations.
Center for Criminal Justice Data and Analytics
Karl Gruschow, Manager
The Center for Criminal Justice Data and Analytics continually collects, analyzes, reports on, and disseminates crime and risk factor statistical information for strategic planning, policy decisions and public education. Staff has developed a repository of these data on the ICJIA website, along with various online tools for data display and analysis. In partnership with the State Police, the Center is responsible for the dissemination of state criminal history record information (CHRI) data for research purposes, including in-house analytic use. The Center provides technical assistance in statistical methods, database design, data analysis and presentation.
Center for Justice Research and Evaluation
Jessica Reichert, Manager
The Center for Justice Research and Evaluation conducts applied research and evaluation projects that examine critical criminal and juvenile justice topics and criminal justice program implementation and outcomes in Illinois. Staff collect data through multiple research methods, conduct advanced statistical analyses, and summarize findings in publications that aim to inform policy and practice. The center also conducts presentations and offers technical assistance to help state and local programs and initiatives use data to inform and improve their work.
Center for Sponsored Research & Program Development
Tracy Hahn, Manager
The Center for Sponsored Research & Program Development secures experts in the field to conduct research and evaluate programs that inform policy, support evidence-based practices, and guide decision-making. Staff review and select programs and other priority criminal justice-related topics viable for evaluation and further research. Researchers are selected through a competitive process and are awarded federal grant subcontracts to conduct studies. The center also provides technical assistance to programs supported with Authority-administered grant funds as they refine program objectives, develop data collection tools, and assess program performance.
Center for Victim Studies
Amanda L. Vasquez, Manager
The Center for Victim Studies designs and conducts research examining the nature and scope of victimization in Illinois and evaluates programs that address victim needs. Center staff use a variety of research methods and analyses to explore victimization and victim services in order to improve policy, programming, and practice throughout the state. The center also coordinates presentations and disseminates reports, translating promising research into implications for policy and practice for stakeholders and victim service providers. Staff also provide technical assistance to help victim service programs collect data to inform how to best meet the multifaceted needs of victims. Finally, staff manage the InfoNet System, a web-based data collection and reporting system used by more than 100 victim service providers in Illinois. The system is one of only a few known central repositories in the country for statewide, standardized victim service data. Click here to learn more about InfoNet.
Center for Violence Prevention and Intervention Research
Thomas Johnson, Manager
The Center for Violence Prevention and Intervention Research reviews scientific literature, designs and conducts studies, and collects and analyzes data on violent crime in Illinois to help inform and enhance the state’s criminal justice response to violence through timely research publications, presentations and discussions. Center staff examine environmental, social, and individual factors that contribute to the occurrence of violent crime and seek collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders to understand the scope of existing prevention and intervention efforts and guide future strategies more broadly.