State’s Attorney Glasgow Announces That 19 Problem Solving Court Participants Graduate in Three Ceremonies Held This Week

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May 27, 2021

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow has announced that 19 individuals from Will County’s Problem Solving Courts graduated in three separate ceremonies this week at the new Will County Courthouse. These were the first ceremonies to allow both participants and their family members to attend in person since the pandemic had required the closure of such in-person events. 

“It is especially meaningful for our graduates that their families are once again able to personally attend the ceremonies and support our graduates as they begin this new chapter in their lives,” Glasgow said. “The pandemic demonstrated the resilience and endurance not only of our graduates, but of our Problem Solving Courts Program which continued to support our participants throughout this challenging period in creative ways ranging from the establishment of a community garden, to the personal delivery of craft projects and activities for participants to engage in with their children.”

The Mental Health Court graduation was held May 25, with seven individuals from Joliet, Lockport, Crest Hill, Plainfield, and Homer Glen participating. A May 26 ceremony was held for ARI graduates, from Joliet and Ellwood. Finally, ten Drug Court participants hailing from Joliet, Plainfield, Mokena, New Lenox, and Lockport graduated in a ceremony on May 27. Associate Circuit Judge Fred Harvey presided over the three ceremonies. Problem Solving Courts Coordinator Julie McCabe-Sterr also participated in each ceremony.

Glasgow played an integral role in creating each of Will County’s four Problem Solving courts. He spearheaded the creation of the Drug Court in 2000 – Will County’s first Problem Solving Court – when he wrote and administered the grant that funded its formation. Along with Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney, Glasgow established the Mental Health Court in 2010. He also petitioned for the formation of the Will County Veterans Court in 2012, and wrote and obtained the grant for the Redeploy Illinois Court to steer qualifying repeat offenders away from prison and into gainful employment in 2015.

In addition, Glasgow established three residential facilities to further help Problem Solving Court participants on the path to reentry. The Miller Taylor House and Julie Ann House provide temporary housing, and the Connor Kelly Residence which opened in 2019 provides longer-term transitional housing.

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