Announcement, Press Release |
At a recent hearing at the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court, the Hon. Beatriz Santiago asked participants some uncomfortable questions.
Why hadn’t one young man been talking to his caseworker? Why wasn’t another preparing for his GED — and did he need help? One participant was having such a difficult time that Judge Santiago stepped out with her for a private conversation.
This is the rhythm of a Restorative Justice Community Court: honest questions, guidance, listening and steady encouragement. At the end of their appearances, each participant reached into a “Words of Wisdom” jar and read a message aloud.
“Hard work beats talent, and when talent doesn’t work, work hard,” one young woman read, prompting applause throughout the courtroom.
This personal, hands-on, heart-forward approach is what defines Cook County’s four Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCCs). The model has been so successful in helping young adults charged with non-violent crimes avoid future involvement with the justice system that other jurisdictions are seeking to replicate it. This month, Franklin County, Ohio — the most populous county in the state — sent representatives to observe the court in action.
The Avondale RJCC has also welcomed officials from Contra Costa County, California, McLean County, Illinois, and Madison County, Wisconsin, which is starting its own court this December.
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, who established RJCCs in 2017, said he is pleased to see the model growing nationally.
“These innovative programs give young people a second chance in life and help prevent reinvolvement with the justice system,” Chief Judge Evans said. “It is such an important idea, and I am happy that other jurisdictions want to bring this model of healing for young adults to their own courts.”
RJCCs assist young adults, ages 18-26, charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor offenses, to reintegrate into their communities. These neighborhood-based 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 offense.
“These visits from other jurisdictions reflect 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 Judge 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. We are happy to help.”
Tresalyn Butler-Sharp, director of Family Achievement and Cultural Community Enrichment Services (FACCES) for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, sat in on the Avondale hearing.
“We’re here to see what you’re doing, to see if we can bring it back,” Butler-Sharp said after the hearing. “I think the Restorative Justice courts are important because if you restore the individual you’re helping to restore the community.”
“I think it’s great to see the program,” said Makaylah Winter, program director for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative in Franklin County. “It’s great that there’s an alternate to incarcerating people who are going through the justice system.”
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
The community courts have helped hundreds of participants reform their lives and avoid future justice system contact. An internal study by the Office of the Chief Judge found that, among individuals who have 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.
The Circuit Court of Cook County is currently working on establishing two new suburban RJCCs in Cicero and Riverdale.
During their visit, Franklin County representatives also toured the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) and learned about the Juvenile Division Redeploy program and other youth programming at the facility, said Avondale RJCC Coordinator Margaret Kulujian, Ph.D.
"We were honored to welcome Franklin County officials back to our county this November,” Kulujian said. “Their first visit was in April. This return visit reflects their continued interest in learning more about our juvenile justice programming and restorative justice courts, and we are proud to share our progress and commitment to building healing-centered justice.”
Media Contact: ocj.press@cookcountyil.gov
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