Announcement, Press Release |
Rebecca Acton was charged with burglary in 2009 and got probation. But she kept getting into trouble – failing to check in with her probation officer and catching new felony charges as she struggled with heroin addiction.
Though none of the new charges stuck, Acton feared being sent to jail for violating probation. She went on the run, leaving the northern suburbs and moving to Wisconsin. Acton got off drugs. Then she wanted to go into motivational speaking and get a clean slate, which meant turning herself in.
“I couldn’t have a warrant out if I wanted to inspire others,” said Acton, 41, who has four children. “I wasn’t facing the consequences of my actions.” She returned to the Circuit Court of Cook County, worried she’d go straight to jail.
Instead, Acton was assigned to the Skokie Mental Health Court before Judge Sharon Arnold Kanter, who did not go easy on her. “She wanted me to put my heart and soul into a letter saying why I deserved this second chance,” Acton said. “I put my heart and soul into it.”
After working on mental health and other issues within the court program, Acton will be ready to graduate from Mental Health Court on May 1. This will enable her to get the old charge expunged and then go to nursing school on an accelerated program, Acton said.
“It’s completely changed my life – I’m just blown away by this chance that I got,” said Acton, who plans to be a hospice nurse. “Judge Kanter is strict, but she shows people so much respect. She treats everyone as an individual.”
Acton is one of eight people who will graduate at noon on Thursday from Skokie Mental Health Court, one of Cook County’s Problem-Solving Courts. A total of 63 people will graduate from Problem-Solving Courts at commencement ceremonies starting in May and going through July 21 at the Criminal Courthouse in Chicago and at the Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham courthouses. Four participants graduated in March, for a total of 67 people so far this year.
Problem-Solving Courts combine intensive judicial supervision, rigorously monitored rehabilitation services and accountability, and a team approach to help adults with substance use and/or mental health disorders from becoming repeat offenders. There are 20 problem-solving courts in Cook County, including Veterans Treatment, Mental Health and Drug Treatment courts.
Another upcoming graduate from the Skokie Mental Health Court also faced a burglary charge. The 31-year-old Chicago resident, who didn’t want his name used, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He said that with the help of services provided through the Skokie Mental Health Court, he has gotten sober and made new friends who stay sober with him, doing substance-free karaoke and trivia nights. He studied finance at college, and is now learning how to do HVAC work and wants to eventually start his own business.
“It’s given me routine and stability, something to wake up for,” the Chicago resident said. He noted that he is really busy, but “it’s worth it – a friend says energy grows energy.”
Problem-Solving courts increase public safety and save money by reducing re-arrest and incarceration. They also provide social benefits to participants and help them reintegrate back into their communities.
“May is National Problem-Solving Court month. It’s also the start of our spring-summer Problem-Solving Court commencement ceremonies throughout the jurisdiction. I am proud of all our graduates this year for their hard work, as well as the judges, probation officers and other court personnel who do so much to help people turn their lives around,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “One of our goals as a court is not just to punish, but to move people away from criminal activity and enable them to become productive and useful citizens in society. The problem-solving courts are a way to a better life.”
Judge Kanter called the court’s graduates “inspiring human beings.”
“Every day, they valiantly and resiliently balance sensitivities with strengths to not merely survive, but to thrive,” Judge Kanter said. “The roads that brought our participants to our court all look different, but the destination has always been the same; a healthy happy life where challenges can be overcome based on the lessons they have learned, the skills they have cultivated, and the confidence they have so deservedly earned. I am profoundly honored and proud to have worked with each and every one.”
Kelly Gallivan-Ilarraza, Director of the Problem-Solving courts, shared that the courts are the most successful intervention for reducing crime by addressing substance use and mental health disorders.
“Teams, comprised of judges, assistant state’s attorneys, assistant public defenders, probation officers, clinical case managers and coordinators, collaborate to provide participants an opportunity to address their behavioral health issues and make life changes,” Gallivan-Ilarraza said. “With support and encouragement from the team, while being held accountable, participants go back to school, find employment, reunite with families and end the cycle of crime and addiction.”
Individuals participating in the problem-solving courts plead guilty to felony charges and are sentenced to a two-year, intensive probation including behavioral health treatment and frequent drug testing. Upon successful completion of the probation and all of the requirements, criminal convictions may be vacated and the charges can be expunged.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 2650 S. California Ave.
- Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr., Courtroom 208, 1 p.m., May 5, with six (6) graduates.
- Men’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Alfredo Maldonado, Courtroom 305, 2 p.m., May 8, with three (3) graduates.
- Women’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Domenica A. Stephenson, Courtroom 204, 2 p.m., May 8, with three (3) graduates.
- Drug – ACT Court, presided over by the Hon. Neera Walsh, Courtroom 400, at 2 p.m., May 8, with four (4) graduates.
- RAP/WRAP Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Charles P. Burns, Courtroom 402, at 1 p.m., May 15, with eleven (11) graduates.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Skokie Courthouse, Second Municipal District, 5600 Old Orchard Road:
- Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Sharon Arnold Kanter, Courtroom 201, at noon on May 1, with eight (8) graduates.
- Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Michael Hood, Courtroom 201, at noon on May 9, with four (4) graduates.
- There was a previous graduation on March 5 for four (4) graduates from Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Michele Gemskie.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, Third Municipal District at 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows:
- Veterans Court and Mental Health Court, presided over by Third District Presiding Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie, on June 17 with five (5) graduates, time to be determined;
- Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Joseph M. Cataldo, Courtroom 109, on June 17 with two (2) graduates, time to be determined.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Maywood Courthouse, Fourth Municipal District, 1311 Maybrook Drive:
- Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Kristyna Ryan, Courtroom 101, 1:30 p.m., June 4 with three (3) graduates.
- Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Stanley Hill, with two (2) graduates, time and date to be determined.
The following ceremonies will be held in the Bridgeview Courthouse, Fifth Municipal District, 10220 S. 76th Ave.:
- Mental Health Court, Drug Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Kathaleen Lanahan, Courtroom 108, 11 a.m., July 21, with seven (7) graduates.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Markham Courthouse, Sixth Municipal District, 16501 Kedzie Ave.:
- Mental Health Court, Drug Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Daniel Maloney, Courtroom 203, 2 p.m., June 3, with five (5) graduates.
The public is welcome to attend graduation ceremonies. The news media should note that some, but not all, graduates have agreed to be filmed and photographed. Please consult with court communications personnel to see which graduates have given their consent.
Media Contact: ocj.press@cookcountyil.gov
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