Announcement, Press Release |
Two adult drug treatment courts operating in the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Criminal Division have been awarded Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) funding, totaling more than $1 million for the upcoming state fiscal year. These courts serve high-risk/high-need adults charged with a non-violent drug, theft, or property related felony offenses who are diagnosed with a severe substance use disorder by providing treatment and support to reduce recidivism.
The Access to Community Treatment (ACT) Court Drug Court Program, overseen by the Hon. Neera Walsh, has been approved by the ARI oversight board to receive $547,136. The Rehabilitation Alternative Probation/Women’s Rehabilitation Alternative Probation Drug Court Program ((W)RAP), overseen by the Hon. Charles Burns, will receive $465,486.
This is the 11th year in a row ACT has received an ARI grant – the 7th year for (W)RAP. These grant awards are vital to the continuing success of both programs, as the Circuit Court of Cook County’s budget does not fully fund problem-solving courts.
“The state’s belief in these programs underscores the effectiveness of our drug treatment courts,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “This funding will allow us to continue emphasizing rehabilitation over incarceration to foster lasting, positive change.”
Drug treatment courts are part of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s network of problem-solving courts, which also includes Veterans Treatment Courts and Mental Health Treatment Courts. Problem-solving courts operating in the Leighton Criminal Courthouse and the five suburban municipal district courts are all post-adjudicatory programs that comply with the Illinois Supreme Court Problem-Solving Courts Standards.
“Funding from ARI allows our participants access to substance abuse treatment as well and ancillary services such as housing support and criminal conviction relief, helping to transform the lives of those whose have been limited by the effects of their substance use disorder,” Judge Burns stated.
Also known as specialty or therapeutic courts, these courts help prevent high-risk, high-need individuals suffering from an underlying mental health, social, or substance use disorder from becoming repeat offenders. The goals of problem-solving courts are increased public safety for communities, increased treatment engagement by participants, improved quality of life for participants, and more effective use of community-based resources that allow diversion from prison. To achieve these goals, programs provide counseling, treatment and intensive supervision.
“We are pleased ARI is continuing to support the ACT team’s commitment to the hard and important work of helping people regain their sobriety and be productive members of our community,” Judge Walsh said.
Drug court participants, who are charged with non-violent crimes, are typically in the program for two years. Participants enter these programs voluntarily.
ARI, which was established by the Illinois Crime Reduction Act of 2009 (Public Act 96-0761), provides financial incentives to local jurisdictions for programs that allow diversion of individuals from state prisons by providing community-based services.
The Circuit Court of Cook County first began receiving ARI funding in October 2013 to implement ACT court, and began receiving ARI funding in October 2018 to support (W)RAP.
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