Graduates complete Cook County Mental Health Court program, celebration held at Skokie courthouse
Share this @internewscast.com

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) — It is graduation season.

On Thursday, a graduation inside a Cook County courtroom celebrated individuals’ successes who have over come legal obstacles by treating underlying conditions.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Inside the Skokie courthouse, there was a celebration for eight graduates from one of the problem-solving court programs.

They were honored for successfully completing the treatments, classes and legal requirements to graduate from the Cook County Mental Health Court.

Today can be the day to change your life, tomorrow is a new day.

Rebecca Acton, Cook County Mental Health Court graduate

The individuals offered the option instead of serving jail time were charged and convicted in the Cook County criminal system for non-violent felonies and then put on probation.

If they complete the therapeutic programs, charges are dropped and the convictions can be expunged from their records.

“The time being here, I am just blown away at what this court is doing,” Cook County Mental Health Court graduate Rebecca Acton said. “This moment today has completely changed our lives.”

Acton nearly died. She flatlined four times after overdosing and had a burglary conviction.

Now, the mother of four with a history of a mental health diagnosis and addiction is sober and eager to start a nursing program to help others.

“She gave me a chance, and that has completely changed my life as I stand here today,” Acton said.

“I’ve been in the criminal justice system for a very long time before this job, and I have seen spectacular success stories,” said Judge Sharon Arnold Kanter with the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The Mental Health Court is one of diversion programs from incarceration in Cook County. There is also Drug Court and Veterans Court.

“I am overwhelmed this opportunity for her hoping for so much for her she’s come so far,” said Malcolm Acton, Rebecca Acton’s father.

In all, the program is giving second chances to 3,400 people and reducing the chance of repeat offenders.

“If there is anybody out there that is still struggling, that today can be the day to change your life, tomorrow is a new day,” Rebecca Acton said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Native Hawaiian man could face longer prison sentence after conviction for hate crime against white man

Hawaiian Man May Receive Extended Sentence for Hate Crime Conviction Against White Man

A Native Hawaiian man who had been found guilty of a hate…
Prosecution's 'inconsistencies' in prep school murder trial led to suspect's acquittal: jury foreman

Jury Foreman: ‘Inconsistencies’ in Prosecution’s Case Resulted in Acquittal in Prep School Murder Trial

The jury’s foreman in Raul Valle’s murder trial, who was found not…
Boeing settles with a man whose family died in a 737 Max crash in Ethiopia

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Man After 737 Max Crash Claims His Family in Ethiopia

Boeing reached an agreement on Friday with a Canadian man whose wife…
Woman giving a speech at a podium.

Emotional Scene as Teenage Girl Delivers Tearful Eulogy for Murdered Mother and Stepfather, Leading to Her Being a Prime Suspect

This is the poignant moment when a teenager delivered an emotional funeral…
Authorities say about 200 immigrants arrested in raids on 2 Southern California farms

Officials Report Arrest of Approximately 200 Immigrants During Raids at Two Southern California Farms

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — On Friday, federal immigration authorities announced the arrest…
Israel Gaza Concentration Camp: Haaretz Calls Out Rafah Camp

Haaretz Criticizes Rafah Camp in Gaza, Referring to It as a “Concentration Camp”

Israel’s defense minister is promoting a plan to herd Gaza’s entire population…
Chicago flooding: West Side seniors say more disaster relief funds needed from city to deal with flooded homes

Chicago Flooding: West Side Seniors Call for Increased City Disaster Relief to Tackle Home Flooding

CHICAGO (WLS) — Seniors living on the West Side of Chicago are…
'Freakier Friday': Behind-the-scenes look at Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on set of the new Disney sequel

‘Freaky Friday’ Sequel: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on the Disney Set

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of “Freakier Friday,” the sequel to the…
Mugshot of a man in a yellow shirt.

Justin Mohn Convicted of Murdering Father and Posting Disturbing Video Online

A SICK man who slashed his dad’s head with a machete and…
Debris from a plane crash site with rescue workers.

Crash Investigators Attribute Fatal Error by Air India Pilots for Disaster, Killing 260 After Takeoff

PILOT error is suspected in the Air India crash which killed 260…
Chicago crime: Lontray Clark charged with murder, arson after 4 killed in West Side apartment fire on North Avenue, police say

Chicago Crime: Lontray Clark Faces Murder and Arson Charges in Fatal West Side Apartment Fire on North Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suspect is facing multiple charges after four people…
EMBARGOED TO 0001 SUNDAY JULY 6 File photo dated 10/06/25 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a reception for London Tech Week, at no 10 Downing Street, London. Sir Keir Starmer has been urged not to "punish" children by keeping the two-child cap following Labour's U-turn on benefit cuts. The SNP urged the Prime Minister to end the limit amid reports it could stay as a result of Labour scrapping most of its welfare reforms. Issue date: Sunday July 6, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Keir Affirms His Commitment to ‘Island of Strangers’ Message, Emphasizing the Need for UK to Be an Integrated Society

SIR Keir Starmer has affirmed his ongoing commitment to the message behind…