May 26, 2022 JOLIET –

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow has announced that 20 individuals from Will County’s Problem Solving Courts graduated in a joint ceremony Wednesday at the Jacob Henry Mansion. Wednesday’s ceremony brings to 748 the total number of people who have graduated from Will County’s Problem Solving Courts. Glasgow provided the keynote remarks at the event.

“Each of the 20 individuals graduating today is embarking on a new journey after working with commitment and dedication to turn their lives around through our Problem Solving Courts program,” Glasgow said. “Graduation was not handed on a platter to these deserving individuals. They have worked extremely hard to get where they are today, and their paths on a better tomorrow have just begun. We will continue to support them as they move forward with their lives and as productive members of our communities.”

Eight individuals graduated from Mental Health Court, and another twelve graduated from Drug Court.  The graduates hail from Joliet, Romeoville, Beecher, Wilmington, Crest Hill, Lockport, Homer Glen, and Bolingbrook. Associate Circuit Judge Fred Harvey presided over the ceremony, and Problem Solving Courts Coordinator Dr. Scott DuBois also offered remarks.

Graduates were invited to write a brief statement about their journey. This is what graduate Courtney Jones wrote: “It works if you work it. Work on your hurt. Work it on loving yourself. Work to build your life back together again. You will enjoy the process and want more out of life. A lot of good would come back to you and would be able to give back to others as well.”

Glasgow played an integral role in creating each of Will County’s four Problem Solving courts. In 1998, he spearheaded the creation of the Drug Court – 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 filed a petition requesting the formation of the Will County Veterans Court in 2012. He also wrote and obtained the grant for the Redeploy Illinois Court to steer qualifying repeat offenders away from prison and into gainful employment.

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