illinois problem solving court conference

Problem-Solving Courts

In December 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court announced the creation of uniform standards and a certification and application process for problem-solving courts across the state. The standards and certification and application process were developed by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) and the Special Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning and approved by the Supreme Court during its November 2015 term.

Also known as specialty or therapeutic courts, problem-solving courts provide an alternative forum for certain individuals in the criminal justice system, such as veterans and those with mental illness or substance abuse disorders, among others.

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Certified Illinois Problem-Solving Courts

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Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts

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Message from the President

Thank you for visiting the ILAPSC website. We are excited that registrations for the ILAPSC 2017 Annual Conference are steadily coming in. The 5th Annual Conference is being held at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel (201 Broadway Avenue, Normal, Illinois) on October 12 – 13, 2017. If you have not yet registered, please do so soon as we expect to reach capacity this year. We will, of course, be offering early registration starting at 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on October 11, 2017. Our bag toss competition will be featured that evening on site starting at 7:00 p.m.

This conference has several new features including:

• The Early Bird Gathering will be enhanced to offer more food to enjoy while watching or engaging in the Bag Toss Competition.
• There are many new sponsors and exhibitors.
• The ILAPSC Board of Directors will recognize leadership throughout the state with awards during our Annual Business Meeting.

We are bringing speakers from all over the country who are recognized authorities in the field including:

• David A. D’Amora , Director, Special Projects and a Senior Advisor at the Council of State Governments Justice Center in New York City.
• Hon. Stephen Goss , Superior Court Circuit Judge in Albany, Georgia.
• Steve Hanson, M.S. Ed. , Associate Commissioner of Treatment for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
• Anne Janku, Ph.D , Missouri Office of State Courts.
• Kenneth L. Osborne, MS , Deputy Director for the Cook County Department of Corrections.
• Kathleen West, DrPH , UCLA Department of Social Welfare

If you are planning on attending please go to our 2017 Conference tab. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I look forward to sharing this event with you.

Jeffrey B. Ford, President Illinois Problem-Solving Courts Association

Approved Problem Solving Court Standards & Certification Process

These Standards, the Certification Process including Application and the Amended Supreme Court Rule were approved by the Supreme Court in its November term. All Problem Solving Courts (adult courts as labeled in the Standards) will have to be certified by the Supreme Court by 1/1/17.

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Illinois Association of Problem Solving Courts

Section title.

Illinois Association of Problem Solving Courts is a a subdivision of the Illinois Courts system that pursues alternatives to incarceration. Problem-solving courts, which are also known as specialty courts or therapeutic courts, offer an innovative forum for eligible individuals facing matters in the criminal justice system. These individuals are often veterans, live with chronic mental health issues, struggle with chemical dependence and/or experience homelessness. Problem Solving Courts use evidence based decision making avenues that allow some individuals facing non-violent crimes to focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Alternative sentencing may include mandatory substance abuse treatment facilities or programs, rigorous court supervision, participation in long-term outpatient clinic programs and other opportunities to address the underlying causes that perpetuate a cycle of incarceration due to mitigating factors. For more information about the work of the Illinois Association of Problem Solving Courts, individuals may contact the organization directly or work with their attorney to seek assistance.

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BJA-Funded Program Supports Problem-Solving Courts Across Illinois

Trainings provide communities with the tools and knowledge to best serve court participants.

Across Illinois, more than 100 problem-solving courts support individuals with a behavioral or mental health disorder who are involved in the criminal justice system.

When the state began implementing standards for problem-solving courts statewide in 2016, a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grantee, The Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice, played a key role in supporting the courts through the process.

"There's been a lot of success in certifying problem-solving courts, and I don't think that would have been possible without the Center of Excellence, at least not in the timetable it's happened," said Mary Ann Dyar, the Program Director of Adult Redeploy Illinois, a state program that incentivizes local communities to invest in diversion programs. "At the end of the day, that means better services for the people who need them."

Funded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program , the center improves services for people involved with problem-solving courts by promoting, coordinating, and providing training for communities looking to implement best practices.

Research has shown that when implemented correctly, problem-solving courts efficiently use taxpayer money by reducing recidivism and providing offenders with appropriate services while diverting them from jail or prison.

Since its founding in 2012, the Center of Excellence has provided training to people from all 102 Illinois counties. This means that more than 10,000 people have learned how to better serve court participants. Trainings provide the tools and knowledge needed to intervene in the opioid epidemic; reduce those in jails and prisons who have behavioral health disorders; and implement trauma-informed practices for justice system professionals.

In just one year — between October 2016 and September 2017 — the center provided 52 individualized trainings to local communities that reached more than 2,180 individuals. Additionally, the center provided over 4,900 hours of continuing education credits to 612 individuals.

"The Center has done an excellent job at educating the community as a whole, educating the justice system here," said Judge Janet Holmgren, presiding judge of Winnebago County's five problem-solving courts. "And not just the problem-solving courts, but the entire criminal division [in Winnebago] has been given education opportunities."

Expanding Access

The Center of Excellence also consults with communities as they plan to launch new courts and programming.

In 2013, Effingham, Fayette, Clay, and Jasper counties were considering the addition of a Veterans Treatment Court. But following a two-day training, officials decided to launch a mental health court that included a track to serve veterans. This enabled the jurisdiction to support more people while achieving the original goal of expanding services for veterans.

Since opening, the mental health court in Effingham County has served 49 people. According to Kayla Schumaker, a grant manager with the court, nine have successfully completed the program and 30 are currently enrolled, including two who are expected to graduate in June.

In addition to the Effingham County court, 15 other problem-solving courts opened in Illinois in 2013. The center provided similar trainings to 11 of them, according to Michelle Rock, executive director of the center.

Services Unique to Illinois

While Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania also have Centers of Excellence supporting statewide mental health services, each center's services are unique to its state. The Illinois Center is the only one that focuses on providing intensive training sessions and technical assistance to its problem-solving courts.

According to Rock, the center offers more than 60 training topics related to the intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice. Topics range from Sequential Intercept Mapping to trauma-informed care or best practices standards.

Additionally, an annual conference organized by the center attracts an estimated 600 attendees from Illinois problem-solving courts every year.

Since its founding, the Illinois Center of Excellence's technical expertise and collaboration has supported projects of Adult Redeploy Illinois and the implementation of mandated state problem-solving court standards, thereby improving the quality of programs provided by courts across the state.

"We know that coming out of prison and jail, people don't fare well," Rock said of those with behavioral or mental health disorders. "They're not getting the treatment they need. Keeping them in our communities and giving them the appropriate treatment has better results than locking people up."

Are you a recipient of BJA funding? If so, let us know how the funds have impacted your community and efforts.

Ep. 19: Problem-Solving Courts – Conversation With Judge Jeff Ford

• 2024-01-18 04:28:34

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The problem-solving court boom.

Few occasions in the criminal justice system warrant celebration. Early in her practice as a prosecutor, Becky Hougesen Walters believed a guilty verdict was one of them. A few assignments later and over two years in the felony review unit reviewing evidence in Cook County’s most heinous crimes persuaded her that she was wrong. No matter the outcome, lives are destroyed, families are broken, and no one is truly “made whole” on either side of the courtroom.

But a little-known exception to the dismay of the criminal justice system exists in problem-solving courts (PSCs). In her September Illinois Bar Journal article, “The Problem-Solving Court Boom,” Hougeson Walters discusses the evolution and expansion of problem-solving courts across Illinois, offers their use as a suggestion for relief for clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides valuable information as to how an attorney may refer a client to problem-solving courts in many Illinois counties. Be sure to see Hougeson Walter’s chart listing PSC resources for nearly every Illinois county.

Read the Illinois Bar Journal article, "The Problem-Solving Court Boom."   

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Justice Speaks Podcast

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with State Treatment Court Association leaders from the Illinois Association of Problem Solving Courts (ILAPSC), with Judge Janet Holmgren, President of ILAPSC, and and Matt Kindler, ILAPSC Conference Coordinator.

• Download this Episode

• Check out our latest webinar with Judge Diane Bull!

Podcast: A Conversation with Illinois’ Problem-Solving Courts: Featuring Judge Holmgren and Matt Kinder

In this episode of Justice Speaks , JSI continues their series of interviews with State Drug Court Coordinators. JSI speaks with Judge Janet Holmgren, the president of the  Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts , and Matt Kinder, one of the association’s conference coordinators.

Judge Janet Holmgren

Judge Janet Holmgren, with a remarkable 16-year tenure in the judicial system, has been a steadfast advocate for transformative justice. Beginning her journey as a presiding judge in the juvenile abuse and neglect courtroom, she championed rehabilitation and remediation for those facing untreated or under-treated substance abuse and mental health concerns. In 2007, Judge Holmgren assumed a pivotal role in the adult Mental Health Court, marking a significant shift in her career towards a dedicated Treatment Court rotation, further solidifying her commitment to holistic justice. 

She assumed the role of President of the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts (ILAPSC) in 2019. As president, Judge Holmgren leads efforts to advance court programs tailored for individuals grappling with mental health issues, drug addiction, and other special needs. Her extensive experience as the presiding judge of problem-solving courts for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Winnebago and Boone counties underscores her expertise in this domain. With a focus on education, assistance, training, and professional development, the association promotes problem-solving courts across Illinois, including drug and mental health courts, veterans court, and DUI court.

Matt Kinder

rings a wealth of experience to the realm of Problem-Solving Courts. His journey began while working at an agency dedicated to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses, where he encountered many individuals involved in Judge Holmgren’s pioneering mental health court. This experience ignited his passion for the intersection of mental health and justice.

Transitioning to the Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice, Matt spearheaded collaborative efforts with Problem-Solving Courts across the state. In this role, he provided tailored training and coordinated annual conferences, facilitating vital knowledge exchange and skill development among stakeholders in the justice system. His dedication and expertise positioned him as a trusted resource within the Problem-Solving Court community.

A Conversation with Illinois’ Problem-Solving Courts: Featuring Judge Holmgren and Matt Kinder

by Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #60

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Adams County Problem Solving Court recognizes graduates

QUINCY (WGEM) - The Kroc Center hosted the Adams County Problem Solving Court graduation Thursday evening.

Members of the program graduate after treatment to stop repeat offenses and improve their lives The graduates have completed one of three programs: Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Reintegration Into Society.

“This has been the best position that I have had in the probation department. Being able to see people change lives and when they do that, they better their families, they better our community and they are able to shine as the person they are, and that’s wonderful to see,” said Jennifer Fischer Adams County Drug Court probation officer.

The probation officers help with fighting drug addictions, mental health issues, job searches, and help individuals become productive members of society.

The Adams County Probation Department established its drug court in 2006.

Since then, the program has held 30 graduations and produced 132 graduates.

In 2017, the Mental Health Court was established.

In 2018, the Reinforcing Behaviors, Individualized Case Plans, Skill Building and Engagement program (RISE) was founded.

As of 2023, all three of these courts have been combined into one graduation.

“We have been able to combine all of our resources, and while somebody might be in legal trouble, we’ve been able to help them just reunify with their families, find employment, housing, sobriety and mental health,” Fischer said.

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