illinois association of problem solving courts

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

Problem-Solving Court Resources

2019 Standards

2019 Standards - Guideposts

Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts (ILAPSC)

Treatment Court Act  

Treatment Court Institute

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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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Problem-Solving Courts (“PSC”) are a specific type of criminal court. PSCs focus on treating the illness or disability of the people involved.

PSCs generally focus on a single area of need, including:

• Drug-abuse in both minors and adults,
• Driving under the influence (“DUI”), and
• Mental illness.

For defendants, a PSC program can be a good alternative to traditional sentencing and punishment.

PSCs are usually only available to people charged with nonviolent offenses. The court handling the case must agree to send the case to a PSC. PSCs are used instead of a normal sentence, like fines and jail time.

PSC Drug Treatment

The most common PSC provides addiction treatment services to help defendants with drug or alcohol related charges. PSCs help avoid detention.

For example, a person charged with felony possession of heroin could face a minimum of 13 years in prison. Instead, the court can order the person to go to a PSC and do 30 months of intense probation. This would include:

• Drug treatment,
• Frequent check-ins with program officials,
• Regular court appearances and drugs screens,
• Meetings with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and
• Other methods the PSC thinks are needed.

For minors, the court may order electronic monitoring rather than detention. This monitoring would end on completing the program.

PSC Veteran Treatment

PSCs often work with veterans in the criminal justice system who may suffer from some combination of:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
• Other psychological disabilities;
• Or alcohol/drug abuse issues as a result of serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

PSCs often collaborate with the Veterans’ Association, the Public Defender’s Office, and the community.

PSC Mental Health Treatment

PSCs sometimes focus on mental health treatment. Participants may be identified through standard mental health screening. They can also volunteer to participate in the treatment program.

Common Questions for participants:

How can i participate in a psc as a [no-lexicon] defendant [/no-lexicon] .

Although it isn’t available to everyone, participation in a PSC can be handled in one of two ways:

• The defendant and their attorney can request an application to the PSC.
• The PSC can recommend participation based on mitigating circumstances.

Will a PSC decision still appear on my record?

Yes. In most cases, your record will still show an arrest or conviction even if you participate in a PSC. You may, however, receive a lighter sentence or have your charges dismissed if you successfully complete an agreed-upon PSC sentence. Once a PSC sentence has been completed, you can still seal your record after enough time has passed. You may also move the Court to vacate your sealable convictions. If the sealable convictions are vacated by the Court, then you can immediately request that the vacated convictions are expunged from your record.

Helpful Links:

For more information, please visit the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts website . For a map of PSCs by county, visit the Illinois Probation website .

About our legal information

State of Illinois

Problem-Solving Courts

Problem-Solving Courts combine intensive judicial supervision, with rigorously monitored rehabilitation services and accountability, with a team approach to decision-making to help adults with substance use and/or mental health disorders from becoming repeat offenders.

Problem-Solving Courts increase public safety and save money by reducing re-arrest and incarceration for many offenders. They also provide social benefits to participants and help them reintegrate back into their communities.

The Problem-Solving Courts team is led by the judge and include a prosecutor, defense counsel or public defender, probation officer, clinical case manager, Veterans Justice Outreach or social workers, substance use or mental health treatment providers, resource/treatment coordinator, project manager, law enforcement liaison and PSC director/coordinator.

There are currently 20 Problem-Solving Courts operating in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Problem-Solving Courts, also known as specialty courts or therapeutic courts, seek to help low-level criminal defendants suffering from underlying mental health, social or substance abuse problems from becoming repeat offenders. Problem-Solving Courts achieve this goal by providing treatment and intensive supervision.     

The Cook County Circuit Court has a countywide network of Problem-Solving Courts that includes:

• Drug Treatment Courts
• Mental Health Treatment Courts
• Veterans Treatment Courts

With varying target populations, all Problem-Solving Courts seek to address the primary issues that contributed to the participant’s involvement in the judicial system. These issues are addressed with public safety in mind. 

In order for candidates to be eligible for the Problem-Solving Court program, they must first meet certain legal and clinical criteria. Cook County Problem-Solving Courts are designed primarily to assist people who have committed non-violent felony crimes. However, some Problem-Solving Courts in the suburbs of Cook County accept misdemeanor cases. Problem-Solving Courts coordinate efforts between members of the Court system and organizations outside of the Court system in order to guarantee that participants receive sufficient counseling. Team members from the Court system are: prosecutors, public defenders, probation officers, social workers, clinical case managers and other justice system affiliates. Team members from organizations outside of the Court system include: substance abuse and mental health treatment providers, community partners and VA representatives. A judge assigned to each specific Problem-Solving Court leads these teams.

The teams design and implement individualized treatment plans for participants, which include linkage to community-based services that offer intensive treatment, interventions and supervision. Problem-Solving Court judges are personally involved in many aspects of this process, including: team building, staff meetings and status hearings. Specific roles and responsibilities are explicitly assigned, but, through a coordinated effort, a participant’s case and compliance with program rules are monitored.  All Problem-Solving Courts create specific goals for participants in favor of their advancement toward program completion. Participants appear in court regularly for status hearings in order for the judges to ensure ongoing interaction between participants and Court team members. Problem-Solving Courts have positively affected the lives of participants and people directly and indirectly connected to them. Among these positive effects is the significant reduction of incarceration costs and recidivism rates of Problem-Solving Court participants. 

For additional information, please contact:

Kelly Gallivan-Ilarraza Director of Problem-Solving Courts [email protected]  

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• 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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Judge Holmgren (’85) Elected President of the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts

Problem-solving courts in Illinois include drug and mental health courts, veterans court and DUI court. The association promotes problem-solving courts in the state by providing education, assistance, training and other professional development.

Bar News Sections

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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Meeting Information

Board of directors meeting information.

2024 Board of Directors Meeting Dates

• January 23, 2024 – ILAPSC Board Meeting Agenda 1-23-2024
• April 23, 2024 – ILAPSC Board Meeting Agenda 4-23-2024
• July 23, 2024
• September 17, 2024
• November 14-15, 2024

2024 Board of Directors Minutes

• ILAPSC Board Minutes 1.23.2024

Archive Meeting Information