Press Release |
Chicago – The success of Cook County’s Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCC) and Problem-Solving Courts continues to attract attention from other jurisdictions across the country, including a California county.
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, who established Restorative Justice Community Courts in Cook County in 2017 and expanded the Problem-Solving Courts, intends for these models to continue to spread throughout the nation.
“These innovative programs give people a second chance in life and help prevent reinvolvement with the justice system,” Chief Judge Evans said. “I am thrilled that other counties want to observe our work and bring this model of healing to their own courts.”
Restorative Justice Community Courts assist young adults, ages 18-26, charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes, to reintegrate into their communities. These four courts, located in North Lawndale, Englewood, Avondale and Sauk Village, resolve conflict through restorative conferences and peace circles including the participants, victims, family members and others affected by the crime.
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.
“This visit from our colleagues in California reflects a growing national dialogue on restorative justice. Together, we are reimagining what justice can look like — one centered on restoration, community trust and hope,” said the Hon. Beatriz Santiago, who leads the Avondale court. “Cook County’s Restorative Justice Court continues to serve as a model for how communities can heal through accountability and understanding.”
Judge Michele Gemskie, who oversees the Skokie Drug Treatment Court, said she is happy to share the many success stories she has witnessed.
“We’re so happy to help other jurisdictions learn about our Skokie Drug Treatment Court and to spread the word on how people are able to get a second chance after a criminal charge,” Judge Gemskie said. “We have seen many wonderful success stories of people who were able to turn their lives around through the Problem-Solving Courts.”
Contra Costa has a community-based pre-filing program designed to re-direct low-level offenses from entering the criminal justice system. It differs from the Cook County programs in that it handles only misdemeanors, while the RJCC and Problem-Solving Courts can handle felonies, said Janet Wright, who is with the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership at the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office. Wright said that Contra Costa is looking at starting a program more similar to what is seen in Cook County.
"Cook County demonstrates that public safety rooted in community well-being—holding people accountable while helping them build better lives—offers valuable lessons for counties to address low-level offenses,” Wright said.
Wright and other visitors from Contra Costa observed court hearings at the Skokie Drug Treatment Court and at the Avondale RJCC. At the Avondale court hearing, they saw participants questioned by Judge Santiago about their jobs, their progress at getting their driver’s licenses and their progress toward getting their high school equivalency degrees.
After the hearing, Wright told Judge Santiago that she was impressed at how well the young participants in the hearing responded to the judge’s words.
“You talk to them with a level of respect they’re not used to,” Wright said.
The Avondale RJCC will have a graduation ceremony for participants who have successfully completed their programs on October 24.
This mentorship and exchange with Contra Costa are a part of the Center for Justice Innovation initiative, said Dr. Margaret Kulujian, Avondale RJCC coordinator. Cook County started working with the initiative in January 2025.
“We are honored to serve as a mentor court for Contra Costa County’s Restorative Justice Program,” Kulujian said. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing innovative approaches that focus on healing, accountability and community empowerment. By facilitating the exchange of best practices between RJCCs and the Contra Costa program, we can fortify justice initiatives with positive impact across various communities.”
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