Section 725 ILCS 187/2-45 - Evaluation(a) The Department shall issue a report to the General Assembly no later than January 1 of each year beginning at least 12 months after grants are first issued under this Act. The report shall cover the previous fiscal year and identify gaps in community-based pretrial supports and services in each service area, explain the investments that are being made to maximize pretrial success, and make further recommendations on how to build community-based capacity for community-based pretrial supports and services including mental health and substance use disorder treatment.(b) Beginning with the first report issued at least 24 months after grants are first issued under this Act, the annual report shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of grants under this Act in maximizing pretrial success. The Department shall use community-based participatory research methods and ensure that the evaluation incorporates input from individuals and organizations affected by the Act, including, but not limited to, individuals with personal experience with being charged with a felony offense in Illinois, individuals with personal experience with a family member being charged with a felony offense in Illinois, local government health and human services agencies, community-based organizations, and court stakeholders. The evaluation should be conducted with input from outside expert evaluators when possible.(c) The Department shall consider findings from annual reports and evaluations in developing subsequent years' grantmaking processes, monitoring progress toward local advisory councils' goals, and ensuring equity in the grantmaking process.Added by P.A. 103-0588,§ 2-45, eff. 6/5/2024.