Mental Health Court

In 2010, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Chief Judge Gerald Kinney launched Will County Mental Health Court. Mental Health Court was the second of four problem-solving courts established in Will County by State’s Attorney Glasgow.  Mental Health Court has been in operation since 2011 and currently has the capacity to serve 100 active participants. Will County Mental Health Court is a problem-solving court which targets defendants in felony court who have a mental health diagnosis.

To be eligible for WCMHC, the individual must have a mental health disorder or co-occurring substance use dependence diagnosis and mental health disorder; be determined to be moderate-high to high criminogenic risk to reoffend or violate the terms of supervision and have high behavioral health treatment needs.

The program is voluntary, but participation is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and being staffed and approved for admission into the program by the team.

Mental Health Court has been built on an extensive history of collaboration among key stakeholders, including the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, Will County, the Will County State’s Attorney, the Will County Public Defender, the Will County Sheriff, the Will County Court Services Department, Center for Correctional Concerns, treatment providers, and the community.

First Mental Health Court Graduation, 2010