North Suburban Drug Courts get $2,000,000 federal grant

A new $2 million federal grant will boost two existing north suburban court programs that help adults diagnosed with substance use disorders, according to an announcement yesterday from the Office of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

Here is the rest of press release from the Chief Judge's Office:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the five-year grant to support program operations in north suburban drug treatment courts in the Second (Skokie) and Third (Rolling Meadows) Municipal Districts.

The funds will allow the drug courts to expand access to substance abuse disorder treatment services, using a network of providers. Funds will also support one court coordinator and two clinical case managers.

“Our drug treatment courts exercise compassion in the pursuit of justice,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “For certain non-violent offenders, treatment, not punishment is the best option. This federal grant will increase the help that our Skokie and Rolling Meadows courts can offer, so that these individuals can become useful, healthy members of society.”

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. These courts are in the Leighton Criminal Court Building as well as all the suburban municipal district courts.

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. To achieve this goal, problem-solving courts provide counseling, treatment, and intensive supervision.

Drug court participants, who are charged with non-violent crimes, are typically in the program for two years. Participants enter these programs voluntarily. Combined, there are currently 45 active participants in the Skokie and Rolling Meadows drug courts – six graduated last year.

Since the Circuit Court of Cook County budget does not cover everything needed for problem-solving courts, various grants are essential to their operation.

“The grant will literally change the lives of dozens of participants and their families,” said the Hon. Joseph Michael Cataldo, who oversees the Rolling Meadows drug treatment court. “This grant will not only affect the individuals directly involved in the court, but is an investment in our entire community.”