Announcement, Press Release |
Zachary Christian dropped out of high school at 16 and never thought he would have to open another textbook. He had a job and didn’t feel like he needed any more school. Then, in May 2023, at the age of 22, he was charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a loaded firearm.
Prosecutors agreed to allow Christian to participate in the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court with the hope of getting the charge expunged. As he reflects, on the eve of Friday’s graduation ceremony, Christian says the program changed his life and those of the 26 other graduates.
“It’s honestly a blessing – the program is helpful in so many ways,” said Christian, who now has his high school equivalency degree and hopes to attend trade school, while continuing his job in a family HVAC business. “I walked in stubborn and hard-headed… It changes your perspective.”
All 27 graduates will have their non-violent cases dismissed and their records expunged in recognition of their accomplishment during Friday morning’s 10 a.m. ceremony at Resurrection Hall of St. Hyacinth Basilica, 3636 West Wolfram Street in Chicago.
“The restorative justice courts give young people who have had an encounter with the criminal justice system the chance to be law-abiding and productive members of their community,” Chief Judge Timothy Evans said. “We are proud of our graduates and the success of our five-year-old Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court.”
The Hon. Beatriz Santiago, who presides over the Avondale program, said that the courts address issues of inequality and help to heal communities. She is beaming with pride for the program’s Class of 2025.
“Each graduate had the courage to face the harm caused by his or her actions, take responsibility and rebuild trust,” Judge Santiago said. “I couldn't be more proud of the transformation in their lives. Together we are showing that they are much more than a past mistake. They are proof that restoration and growth are possible.”
Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCC) assist young adults, aged 18-26, charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes reintegrate into their communities. These courts resolve conflict through restorative conferences and peace circles involving participants, victims, family members, friends, others affected by the crime and the community.
The peace circle process used in the courts enables participants to reach a “Repair of Harm Agreement” with members of the community. Each participant agrees to complete certain tasks, such as perform an act of community service, write a letter of reflection, obtain a high school equivalency diploma and/or undergo substance abuse treatment. If the participant successfully completes all the tasks set out in the agreement, his or her case will be dismissed and the offense expunged. All participants in Friday’s ceremony have successfully fulfilled all the requirements of their agreements.
Victims are not required to participate. But if they choose, they may directly address the participant to express how they were hurt and what they need to heal from the crime.
For a case to be eligible for the court, the victim of the crime must agree to participate in the process. In addition, the person charged must:
- Be 18 to 26 years old
- Have been charged with a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor
- Live, work or worship in one of the neighborhoods which has a community court
- Have a nonviolent criminal history
- Accept responsibility for the harm caused
“It’s just beautiful,” said Christian, who said the peace circles helped him open up and talk to people. “I think there should be a lot more programs like this that help rehabilitate people and help them become better people and better for their society, rather than just punish them.”
Friday’s ceremony will also honor peace circle participant Audrey Thomas as the 2025 “Volunteer of the Year.” Thomas retired in 2023 after working 35 serving Chicago’s unhoused community, including 19 years as executive director of Deborah’s Place, an organization that provides supportive housing to unhoused women. The RJCCs rely on volunteers like Thomas to help young people find their way.
The county’s first RJCC launched in North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side in 2017. Other RJCCs operate in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago and in south suburban Sauk Village.
The community courts have helped hundreds of participants reform their lives and avoid further contact with the criminal justice system. An internal study by the Office of the Chief Judge has found that, among individuals who have been graduated from restorative justice courts for at least a year, just 13.3 percent were charged with a new offense, compared to 65.2 percent of those from similar circumstances in a matched control group who were not in an RJCC program.
Media Contact: ocj.press@cookcountyil.gov
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