OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
DONATIONS
RAISED
Since its formation in August 2023, the Foundation has raised significant funds for the Federal Problem-Solving Courts. We are proud to have the support of the Steans Family Foundation and the Robert Johnson Foundation. We are grateful to all of our more than 80 donors for their generosity.
2025 fundraiser
Federal Problem-Solving Courts Foundation held its inaugural reception on April 22, 2025, marking a milestone for restorative justice initiatives in the Northern District of Illinois. Presented by the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and sponsored by thirteen law firms, the event showcased the critical role that problem-solving courts play in rehabilitating individuals and strengthening communities.
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Over 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the launch of the Foundation, which seeks to provide ongoing financial support to federal problem-solving courts amid constrained government resources. Highlights of the evening included powerful personal testimonials from program graduates and significant fundraising success, reflecting the growing commitment of Illinois's legal community to restorative justice efforts.
Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall delivered opening remarks that stressed the importance of restorative justice programs in the Northern District of Illinois. She highlighted how courts like the James B. Moran Second Chance Reentry Court, the Ruben Castillo SOAR Court, and the Veterans Treatment Court offer life-changing opportunities for participants reentering society. In an era where government funding is increasingly limited, the Federal Problem-Solving Courts Foundation plays a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding these programs.
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Donated funds will directly support the operations and expansion of the Northern District of Illinois’s problem-solving courts. Sponsorship from law firms highlighted the legal community's investment in restorative justice and rehabilitation initiatives. The event’s success demonstrated that attorneys, judges, and community leaders alike recognize the essential role that these specialized courts play in fostering positive outcomes for participants and public safety overall. Attendees left with a renewed commitment to advancing the Foundation's objectives.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
A Google photo album with all photos from the event can be found linked here
grants made
During 2023 & 2024, the Foundation made several grants to the participants of the Problem-Solving Courts including several thousand dollars to participants for rent and utility
payments, medical expenses and parking vouchers so that participants can attend court sessions.
The Foundation also assumed the costs of the Courts and paid for incentive gift cards and “Lunch and Learn” educational events for participants.
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In addition, the Foundation paid the cost of a life coach and mentor, Dr. Tony Jackson. Dr. Jackson provides job coaching, mentoring, and life coaching to our Second Chance Reentry Participants.
Dr. Jackson has also partnered with different organizations that offer engaging therapeutic activities to the participants such as rock climbing, exercising, skating, biking, journaling and a plethora of other fun activities that help lower stress and cope with boredom.
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Dr. Jackson is in the process of finalizing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Dr. Jackson believes partnering with this organization will Influence the participants to assist in volunteering and giving back to the community. It will also allow each of the participants to gain first-hand knowledge on the expectations of working in construction as a vocation.
GRADUATIONS SUPPORTED
Six graduates of Second Chance Reentry Court celebrated their graduation on April 12, 2025. Judges Sharon Johnson Coleman, Sara Ellis, M. David Weisman and Jeannie W. Appenteng presided over the graduation ceremony. Each graduate was introduced by his or her probation officer who spoke about the obstacles each overcame and the contribution each made to the other participants in the program. Then the graduates got their turn to thank their family and friends and to encourage those still in the program not to give up. Graduates have their term of supervised release terminated or substantially reduced upon their graduation.
On February 13, 2025, the SOAR Court held its graduation ceremony in the James B. Parsons Ceremonial Courtroom in the Dirksen Building. The SOAR team, led by Judges Jorge Alonso and Beth Jantz, highlighted the different journeys of each participant who, having completed the program successfully, have had felony offenses dismissed.
Each graduate spoke about his or her challenges during the year long program. The overarching theme of all the graduates’ remarks was gratitude to the SOAR team and to their own support network for helping them reach their goals.
After the ceremony, guest speaker Charles Perry, who entered prison at the age of 23 and served 19 years, spoke to the group. Since his release from prison, Perry has dedicated his life to helping others reenter society successfully following incarceration. He encouraged the graduates to understand that life after the program will present difficult challenges, but they now had the tools to succeed.
