The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced it was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance as part of the Adult Treatment Court (ATC), Category 3, Statewide Discretionary Grant Program. The ATC is a competitive grant program that supports projects that improve, enhance, and expand adult treatment courts services statewide.

The Illinois Courts will use funds to engage the National Center for State Courts to develop and implement data evaluation. Funds will also be used to support five established Drug Courts throughout the state to increase court capacity, improve graduation outcomes, and expand access to evidence-based treatment and recovery support services.

“We are thrilled and honored to be selected for this grant award as it furthers the Illinois Courts efforts and ability to improve the court and community response to individuals with substance use disorders,” said Marcia M. Meis, AOIC Director. “I would like to thank everyone from the AOIC Probation Services Division who worked to make this grant possible.”

The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, the Community Capacity Development Office and the Office of Sex Offenders Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking.