Welcome Judge Janet Holmgren!

Judge Janet Holmgren of the 17^th Judicial Circuit Court visited Loves Park Rotary to talk about the Problem-Solving Courts.  Judge Holmgren spent 10 years in private practice and has been on the bench for 21 years, with the last eight in the Problem-Solving Courts.  There are many different courts:  Family Drug Court, Adult Drug Court, Adult Mental Health Court, Veterans Court and Youth Recovery Court.  It is only as of 2016 that standards have been established in Illinois for the Problem-Solving Courts.  Judge Holmgren says that these standards have helped the courts do their work and provide fairness and an opportunity to be heard for the people they help.  The system is relatively new, with the drug courts being established in the late 1980’s and the mental health courts in the early 2000’s.  She shared some amazing statistics:  About 5% of the general population has serious mental illness but the jail population is about 15%, and 54% of the jail population has a drug disorder.  With the success of the Problem-Solving Courts, they have observed a 42% reduction in recividism, which is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.  State funding is important but has not been consistent, especially lately, and they also partner with many local organizations such as Rosecrance and Stepping Stones.  Thank you, Judge Holmgren, for visiting us with this important information.