Despite the fact that most juveniles adjudicated delinquent are sentenced to probation in Illinois, relatively little is known about the characteristics of these offenders, the conditions imposed as part of their probation term, and the outcomes of these sentences. The lack of information is primarily due to the organization of probation in Illinois; while there is state involvement and some financial support provided through the Illinois Supreme Court's Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), for the most part probation is organized, supported and carried out by Illinois' county units of government. To fill the gap in information about Illinois' juvenile probation population, and the effectiveness of probation, AOIC has collaborated with local probation departments, and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority over the past 10 years to collect detailed probation-level data to support program and policy development in the state. The 2000 Illinois Probation Outcome Study is the latest, and most comprehensive effort to assess the needs and impact of probation in Illinois. Based on the collection and analyses of data from a sample of more than 820 juvenile probationers discharged during 2000, the following conclusions are offered: ...