17th Judicial Circuit Receives National Domestic Violence Mentor Court Designation Chief Judge John S. Lowry is pleased to announce that the 17th Judicial Circuit Court’s Domestic Violence Coordinated Court in Winnebago County, Illinois, has once again been selected by the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women to serve as a national Domestic Violence Mentor Court. The $150,000.00 supplemental award recognizes well-established specialized courts and enables them to guide novice or developing courts and court-based programs seeking to significantly improve their responses to domestic violence cases. The Winnebago County Domestic Violence Coordinated Court was one of five courts in the country given this designation. These well-established courts serve as national models and share their expertise by hosting site visits, linking courts with peers facing similar challenges, and assisting other domestic violence courts to implement best practices to respond effectively to these difficult cases. This marks the fourth time the Winnebago County Domestic Violence Coordinated Court has been named a Domestic Violence Mentor Court. Most recently, the court has provided technical assistance and mentorship to courts in Wisconsin, Oregon, New York, and Springfield, Illinois. Judge Joseph P. Bruscato, Presiding Judge of the Domestic Violence Coordinated Court and Family Division commented, “We are grateful to the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for continuing to recognize the dedication and innovative practices of our Domestic Violence Coordinated Court. The opportunity to shape the justice system’s response to domestic violence on a national level is an honor and speaks to the to the dedication and expertise of our jurisdiction around these matters. We look forward to continuing to share our practices with other courts and contribute to national best practices around offender accountability, survivor safety, and procedural fairness.” For more information about the Domestic Violence Coordinated Court or the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Award, contact Nicole Ticknor, Deputy Court Administrator. PDF of Press Release
