Announcement, Press Release |
Kalea Blanke had struggled with drug addiction since she was 14 years old, oftern stealing mail to fund her habit.
After getting in trouble with the law, the now 35-year-old Blanke was assigned to the Skokie Drug Treatment Court, led by the Hon. Michele Gemskie. There, she was offered a path to start over.
“I was given a second chance to get out of the legal trouble I was in,” said Blanke, now two years sober and working as a counselor in the same recovery program where she received treatment. “I enjoy being at the place where I am today and helping other people realize their strengths.”
Blanke, of Chicago’s North Side, is one of six graduates who will complete Drug Court at a noon ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Rd. Wednesday’s ceremony is one of 16 Problem-Solving Court ceremonies scheduled through the end of the year at courthouses in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Markham and the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
“We are 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 to move people away from criminal activity and enable them to become productive and useful citizens in society. The problem-solving courts provide people with a fresh start to live a productive, happy life.”
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 such courts in Cook County, including Veterans Treatment, Mental Health and Drug Treatment courts.
Arvin Basilio, 36, another upcoming graduate from the Skokie Drug Treatment Court, also struggled with addiction since he was a teenager and used burglary to support his habit. Basilio, who lives on the South Side of Chicago, said the program “literally saved my life.”
“If I hadn’t gone to drug court, I’d be doing the same thing,” Basilio said. “They gave me the motivation to get myself together.”
Problem-Solving Courts improve public safety and save money by reducing re-arrest and incarceration. They also provide social benefits to participants and help them reintegrate into their communities.
“First, they want you to attend all your meetings, get to your court dates, drop clean [for drugs], then they want you to find a job, keep the job, find a stable home, stay sober,” Basilio said. “I have a lot to lose. I’m not trying to mess anything up.”
Kelly Gallivan-Ilarraza, Director of the Problem-Solving Courts, said the courts employ a team consisting of judges, assistant state’s attorneys, assistant public defenders, probation officers, clinical case managers, coordinators, members of law enforcement and peer mentors. These individuals collaborate to provide participants an opportunity to address their behavioral health issues and make life changes.
“With support and encouragement from the team, while being held accountable, participants go back to school, find jobs, reunite with families and end the cycle of crime and addiction,” Gallivan-Ilarraza said.
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, 2 p.m., Nov. 3, with four (4) graduates.
• Three Problem-Solving Courts will host a joint graduation at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 in Courtroom 400. Participating courts include: Men’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Alfredo Maldonado, has seven (7) graduates. Women’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Domenica A. Stephenson, has four (4) graduates. Drug – ACT Court, presided over by the Hon. Neera Walsh, has three (3) graduates.
• RAP/WRAP Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Charles P. Burns, on Dec. 4 in Courtroom 402. The number of graduates is to be determined.
Besides the Drug Treatment Court graduation on Wednesday, the following ceremonies will be held at the Skokie Courthouse, Second Municipal District, 5600 Old Orchard Rd.:
• Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Sharon Arnold Kanter, noon, Dec. 4, Courtroom 201, with three (3) graduates.
• Veterans Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Michael Hood, noon, Nov. 7, Courtroom 208, with the number of graduates to be determined.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, Third Municipal District at 2121 Euclid Ave.:
• Veterans Court and Mental Health Court, presided over by Third District Presiding Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie, Courtroom 202, on a proposed date of Dec. 2, with the time and number of graduates to be determined;
• Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Joseph M. Cataldo, Courtroom 109, with a proposed date of Dec. 2, with the time and number of graduates 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, 1:30 p.m., Nov. 19, Courtroom 101, with five (5) graduates.
• A previous ceremony for Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Stanley Hill, was held on Sept. 11 for three graduates.
Graduation ceremonies for Drug Treatment, Mental Health and Veteran’s Treatment Court at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Fifth Municipal District, were held on July 21 for three graduates, presided over by the Hon. Kathaleen Lanahan.
The following ceremonies will be held at the Markham Courthouse, Sixth Municipal District, 16501 Kedzie Ave.:
• Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Daniel Maloney, 2 p.m., Nov. 18, Courtroom 203, with two (2) graduates.
• Mental Health Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court will be held before Judge Maloney at a future date and number of graduates to be determined.
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. For the upcoming Skokie Drug Treatment Court graduation, all six graduates have given consent to be interviewed. Please consult with court communications personnel to see which graduates on Wednesday are willing to be photographed.
Media Contact: ocj.press@cookcountyil.gov
(312) 603-5414
Follow the court on X @CookCntyCourt