The Restorative Justice Community Court in North Lawndale recently celebrated its newest graduates – and the good news is only some could attend in person because they had jobs or schools to attend.
The celebration took place July 9. The North Lawndale court is held at United Christian Action Network’s (UCAN) main building, 3605 W. Fillmore St. Graduates who complete a “Repair of Harm Agreement” have any criminal charges dismissed and their record expunged.
Restorative Justice courts are a prison-diversion program for youth ages 18-26 who were charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes. The goal is to address any harm the person has done and support both the permeator and any victims of the crime, providing them with resources that put them in a better place.
While the program allows youth to avoid prison time, making amends is an important part of the program – and so is helping them get to a place where they can lead stable, productive lives.
The city’s first-ever Restorative Justice Court opened in North Lawndale in 2017. Two more Restorative Justice courts have since opened in other parts of the city, and a fourth opened in south suburban Sauk Village.
Last Wednesday’s ceremony had 11 graduates, though only two attended in person. According to the court staff and organizers, this was a good thing – the rest were at school or work, which meant that the program worked as intended. Those who did attend said that they appreciated the help and opportunities the court gave them, even when they didn’t necessarily embrace the program right away.
The court was launched by then-Cook County Circuit Courts chief judge Tim Evans with support from UCAN and several other North Lawndale community organizations. Eligible youth are offered an opportunity to take their case to the Restorative Justice Court.
As part of the process, the youth take part in Peace Circles, which also include members of the community and family members. If the crime had a victim, the victim has an option to participate. Together, the circle develops a Repair of Harm Agreement that requires the participant to complete certain tasks that seek to address the harm their actions caused, as well as to help them with whatever issues they are facing. For example, a participant may be required to get treatment for substance abuse. The court helps them with any needs both the perpetrator and the victim may have, such as help with finding stable housing, or mental health services.
If the participant completes everything outlined in the agreement, their case is dismissed and record is expunged. The graduation ceremony is meant to celebrate their success, but the attendance is not required.
Jada Willingham told Austin Weekly News she ended up in court because, during a traffic stop, the police discovered she had a gun she legally bought but didn’t have a Concealed Carry License for. She said that she was under impression that her Firearm Owner’s Identification Card was enough to allow he to carry her gun everywhere.
While this was Willingham’s first brush with the legal system, she had siblings who did prison time. She thought for sure that there was no way she would avoid prison, and while Willingham agreed to participate in the Restorative Justice Court, she readily admitted that she didn’t believe it would make a difference – at least at first.
“I thought the program was fake,” Willingham said.
Her younger sister, Eshanti Willingham, attended the graduation with her. She recalled “just trying to speak a love of life into her” as her elder sister struggled with depression.
“She was very discouraged,” Eshanti Willingham said. “She thought her life was over.”
After about a year in the program, the elder Willingham got the point where she was ready to fully commit to. In her speech during the graduation ceremony, Jada Willigham said she appreciated that she got that time, instead of being thrown out of the program by a certain deadline.
” First year, I was playing around, then I [realized] that those people are on my side,” she said. “I picked up the pace, I did what needed to be done, and now I’m here.”
Jada Willigham said that she appreciated that the staff wrote her a letter of recommendation. If she has any message for anyone who is in the program, or is thinking about joining with program, is to stick with it and trust the staff and volunteers to do right by them.
“I just want to tell everyone – keep going, don’t ever give up,” she said.
The other graduate, James Mason, echoed Willingham’s comments.
“I feel like it was a good experience, ‘cause everybody don’t get a second chance,” he said. “I’m really blessed, grateful that now I can move on and do better things.”
Evans was among several judges who attended the graduation ceremony. He said that, without the Restorative Justice Courts, the graduates would “go downstate somewhere, they get locked up downstate somewhere, they don’t get services.”
“They have gone through trauma, they come from communities where disinvestment has taken place,” Evans said. “Yeah, they made a mistake, but we recognize with them that they knew themselves somewhere inside that they could be better than the mistakes they made. They repaired the harm that their mistakes have caused.”
He encouraged the graduates to go into the community and talk about the program. He and other judges also encouraged them to take part in the future peace circles and support future participants.
Eshanti Willingham told Austin Weekly News that she was proud to attend her older sister’s graduation.
“I’m proud of Jada,” she added. “I appreciate this program a lot. I’m proud of my sister and her progress, and her journey has been beautiful.”
