Treatment Alternative Court (TAC)

The Kane County Treatment Alternative Court began operation in February 2006,

accepting the first participant into the program in April 2006. The mission of the Kane

County Treatment Alternative Court (TAC) is to guarantee justice for criminal defendants

with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or developmental disabilities, to enhance

public safety and promote the continuity of mental health care in the community. TAC is

intended to be a systematic approach that brings together community based agencies

to address defendant's needs and to provide comprehensive case management in an

effort to reduce future criminal activity and incarceration in the Kane County Adult

Justice Center. The defendants work closely with the Court Personnel and the treatment

team to facilitate positive behavioral change and reduce criminal recidivism. Additional

objectives of the program are to create effective interactions between mental health and

criminal justice systems, improve public safety, and reduce the length of confinement of

mentally ill defendants.

Referral Process

Referrals for the Treatment Alternative Court program will be accepted from a presiding

Judge, State's Attorney, Public Defender, Private Attorney, Kane County Diagnostic

Center representative, or other appropriate source as determined by the Treatment

Alternative Court team. Referrals for the program are made directly to the Program

Coordinator in the form of a completed referral sheet. Defendants may be referred to

the Treatment Alternative Court program as the result of a new charge only.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Kane County Residency

2. 4. 5. 6. 18 years or older at the time of program acceptance

3. Non-Violent Offenders

Guilty Plea to Current Charges

Approval from State's Attorney's Office

Verification of Mental Illness, co-occurring disorder, or developmental disability

7. Willingness to Participate