Judge Jennifer Clifford, Chairperson of the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC) and co-chair of the Statewide FVCC, announces that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The community is encouraged to support the multiple community awareness activities planned throughout the month, beginning with hosting an information booth and related activities at Rockford City Market the evening of September 27th. Community awareness activities seek to provide education and honor those who have been impacted by violence in Winnebago and Boone counties.

The FVCC has planned many awareness activities throughout the month of October including a weekly virtual community lunch and learn series. The annual Shining the Light on Domestic Violence ceremony for Winnebago County will be held at Crusader Community Health on West State Street on Tuesday, October 29^th at 5:30pm.  Boone County’s annual Shining the Light on Domestic Violence Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 1^st at the Belvidere Moose Lodge.   Additional information about planned events can be found on the attached calendar or by visiting the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council Facebook page. Honorable Jennifer Clifford commented, “We have several opportunities throughout the month of October where those in our community can learn about the various forms of domestic violence and prevention efforts against domestic violence that exist here in the 17th Circuit. We are thankful for the multiple organizations that partner with us not only in October but throughout the entire year to address our community’s response to domestic violence.”

The 17th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council is funded by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and serves Boone and Winnebago counties. The FVCC serves as a forum to coordinate community and professional efforts to address family violence, including domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child abuse. For more information about the work of the FVCC, contact Ireland Griep  at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Chief Judge John S. Lowry is pleased to announce that the 17^th Judicial Circuit Court of Winnebago County, IL Domestic Violence Coordinated Court is the recipient of two federal awards from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, the Justice for Families and the Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot. The $600,000.00 Justice for Families award provides continued support for the circuit’s Domestic Violence Coordinated Court and includes funding for advocacy and increased access to justice initiatives for survivors within the court system.  The Electronic Service Protection Order Pilot is a $1,500,000.00, five-year award that designates Winnebago County to serve as a pilot site for the electronic service of order of protection paperwork. This pilot includes a two-year planning period followed by an implementation program.   

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 their continued support of our Domestic Violence Coordinated Court and for their trust in designating Winnebago County as a pilot site for the electronic service of protective order documents. We look forward to continuing to expand and enhance our court response to matters involving domestic violence and are excited to contribute to national best practices around these topics.”

Deputy Court Administrator Nicole Ticknor added, “This funding provided by the Office on Violence Against Women is integral to the growth of our Domestic Violence Coordinated Court and our ability to implement innovative responses and programing that serve to improve access to justice, safety, and accountability for all.”

The Domestic Violence Coordinated Court was established in 2012 and serves as a nationally-recognized Domestic Violence Mentor Court. For more information about the Domestic Violence Coordinated Court or the above awards, contact Nicole Ticknor, Deputy Court Administrator.

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Chief Judge John S. Lowry is proud to announce the launch of new Pretrial Data Dashboards for Winnebago County.  Developed in collaboration with the Winnebago County Circuit Clerk and Winnebago County Department of Information Technology, the dashboards are now publically accessible at https://pfa.wincoil.gov/.  

The dashboards allow the public to view key metrics, including:

• Arrests by Agency
• Most Serious Charge Per Case
• Most Serious Class of Offense Per Case
• Petitions to Detain Filed by State’s Attorney
• Petitions to Detain Granted or Denied

“These dashboards offer valuable insights into how our courts are functioning since the implementation of the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act exactly one year ago on September 18, 2023,” said Chief Judge John. S. Lowry.   “All interested parties are empowered with direct access to learn more about Winnebago County’s pretrial operations.”     

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Today, August 23, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court published the attached Notice of Vacancy for Resident Circuit Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – Winnebago County.  The vacancy resulted from the appointment of the Honorable Eugene G. Doherty to the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth Judicial District, effective August 8, 2024.

This is a Subcircuit 2 vacancy.  A map of the subcircuit boundaries is available at tinyurl.com/17thsubcircuitmap.

The application form and instructions may be obtained on the Illinois Supreme Court’s website. The deadline for submission of an application is September 13, 2024.

Please see press release from the Illinois Supreme Court

The 17^th Judicial Circuit Court is pleased to announce its Juvenile Redeploy program celebrated a graduation on May 7^th, 2024 for one participant who successfully completed the requirements of the 12–18 month long program.    Over the past three years, the program has seen 27 participants successfully graduate.

Juvenile Redeploy Illinois is a grant-funded program through the Department of Human Services that has been offered to moderate to high-risk youth in Winnebago County since 2013. In collaboration with service providers, Youth Services Network (YSN), Equip for Equality (EFE), and Dr. Jason Soriano, each participant receives therapeutic wrap-around services in addition to a dedicated juvenile probation officer. YSN provides a case manager, parent-engagement specialist, and counselor who works closely with each participant and family. YSN creates an individualized case plan in collaboration with the youth.

“We are proud of the hard work this graduate has put towards completing the Redeploy program. It is not easy to accomplish in such a short period of time.   Over the past year, he developed relationships with the team and utilized the skills taught in class to help him make positive choices for his life,” said Taryn Marko, Deputy Director of Juvenile Probation.  “This young man has a bright future ahead.”

Each participant completes Moral Reconation Therapy or Life Skills Reimagined curriculums as a part of the program. EFE provides an attorney who reviews school records and develops an educational plan. This plan helps guide the Redeploy team on the best way to advocate for the participant.  EFE also provides legal advice, representation, and technical support to ensure each participant receives appropriate special education services. Dr. Jason Soriano provides psychological evaluations for youth identified by the Redeploy team. Each participant goes through a level system that builds opportunities to praise progress made toward their goals.

Please contact Jared Johannsen for more information regarding the Winnebago County Juvenile Redeploy Illinois program.

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Judge Janet R. Holmgren, Presiding Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) Court is pleased to announce the program celebrated its 34^th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 217 at the Winnebago County Courthouse. Three TIP Court participants have successfully completed all of the TIP Court Program requirements, bringing the total number of Graduates to 202 since TIP Court began in 2005.

TIP Court is a specialized problem-solving court program that provides wrap-around therapeutic services and intensive court supervision to persons in the criminal justice system who have a serious and persistent mental illness. The program is voluntary and the average length of participation is two and a half years. The goals and purpose of TIP Court is to provide participants with the treatment and case management services they require to help them achieve stability and maintain recovery and in turn, dramatically reduce the likelihood that they will commit new offenses. A multi-disciplinary team of clinical and justice professionals closely supervise each participant’s compliance with treatment and probation supervision requirements. Participants are held accountable for complying and completing their treatment plan requirements through intensive probation supervision and frequent court appearances before Judge Holmgren. 

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about TIP Court and the 34^th graduation ceremony.

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April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.  Judge Jennifer Clifford, Chairperson of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC), announces the return of “Hands Around the Courthouse” on April 18, 2024 at 12:00pm at the front entrance of the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center located at 650 W. State Street in Rockford.

The community is encouraged to join the FVCC and their community partners, including Winnebago County CASA, Brightpoint, Youth Services Network, The Carrie Lynn Children’s Center and MERIT at this annual event. This brief ceremony will bring the community together to remember survivors and celebrate the work that has been done to improve the response to victims of child abuse and neglect.  

This year’s event will honor the recipient of the inaugural Blue Bow Champion for Children Award, Mary Bawinkel. The Blue Bow Champion for Children Award is awarded to an individual, organization or group that has made outstanding contributions to child abuse awareness and prevention by going above and beyond to help kids grow up in safe environments. At the end of the event, participants will surround the courthouse with blue ribbon and plant a blue pinwheel garden to honor survivors of child abuse and neglect and increase awareness around prevention efforts. Remarks will be provided by Ericka Potter from Youth Services Network and Winnebago County Chairman, Joseph Chiarelli, will proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. This event is open to the community.

According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, close to 170,000 calls were made the Illinois Child Abuse Hotline in FY23. During the same time period, 217 children died by abuse and 178 children died by neglect in Illinois.

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Associate Circuit Judge R. Randy Wilt will retire from his position on April 15, 2024.   Judge Wilt was appointed as an associate circuit judge on February 28, 2011.

Judge Wilt is assigned to a felony criminal docket in Winnebago County.  In 2012, Judge Wilt was the first judge selected and assigned to a newly created Winnebago County Domestic Violence Coordinated Court (DVCC) criminal courtroom where he presided over both felony and misdemeanors matters between intimate partner.   He was assigned this specialized domestic violence courtroom from 2012 to 2018, and served as the Presiding Judge of the DVCC from December 2018 to January 2022. 

John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, commented, “Judge Randy Wilt has served the court with impeccable integrity, extraordinary diligence and a keen understanding of criminal law and procedure.  We will always be grateful for his dedicated service to the 17^th Judicial Circuit.”

“Being selected a judge in February of 2011 was a highlight of my legal career,” said Judge Wilt.  “I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity.  The job was not easy but I hope and truly believe that I helped others.”

Judge Wilt is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A. 1977) and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D. 1980).   Judge Wilt is actively involved in several court initiatives and committees, including the 17^th Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, Domestic Violence Coordinated Courts Core Team, and service as a nationally recognized Domestic Violence Mentor Court.  In 2022, he was presented with the Legacy Award from the 17^th Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council for his longstanding commitments to justice, victim safety, and offender accountability.  

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Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, and John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, are pleased to announce that the 17^th Circuit Judges have selected attorney Heidi E. Ruckman-Agustsson as an associate judge.  This vacancy is based on the upcoming retirement of Associate Judge Randy Wilt, effective April 15, 2024.  Ms. Ruckman-Agustsson will take her oath of office on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

“Heidi Ruckman-Agustsson is a highly regarded attorney who is well suited for judicial office,” said Chief Judge John S. Lowry.  “Her character, professionalism and legal ability will enhance the 17^th Judicial Circuit.”

Ms. Ruckman-Agustsson attended Northern Illinois University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1997 with a B.A. in Political Science.  In 2000, she received her Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.  Attorney Ruckman-Agustsson has been of counsel with the Rockford office of Heyl Roster since 2006, and became a partner of the firm in 2012.  She currently concentrates her legal practice on civil defense matters, including trucking defense, toxic tort, premises liability, legal malpractice, and workers’ compensation.

Commenting on her selection, Ms. Ruckman-Agustsson stated, “It is my honor and privilege to be selected by the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit to serve as the next associate judge. I look forward to this exciting opportunity to serve this amazing community.” 

Attorney Ruckman-Agustsson is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.  Her involvement with community and civic organizations includes leadership of the Chris and Jack Ruckman Memorial Music Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to high school seniors and access to musical instruments, empowering children to nurture their passion for music without financial barriers.

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Deputy Court Administrator Nicole Ticknor announces that the 17^th Judicial Circuit Court has released Season 2 of their podcast entitled “Learning with Laura Youngblut: Domestic Violence in Winnebago County.” Season two is a nine-part series that examines the juvenile court system and its intersection with family violence in Winnebago County, Illinois through the eyes of the host, Laura Youngblut. Guests include Judges Francis M. Martinez, Donna R. Honzel and Erin B. Buhl, and several other juvenile court stakeholders including CASA, the Department of Children and Family Services, and Juvenile Probation. This podcast was created with funds from the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority as part of the 17^th Judicial Circuit’s Family Violence Coordinating Council. Episodes were recorded and produced locally at Future Memory Media.

Host Laura Youngblut stated, “I believe this podcast will provide insight into the juvenile justice system; which is often misunderstood.”  

Judge Jennifer Clifford, Chair of the Family Violence Coordinating Council commented, “We hope this project provides community members and other professionals with a behind-the-scenes look at our community’s collaborative response to domestic violence, especially as it relates to child abuse and the juvenile court system. Family violence, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile crime are pervasive problems in our community and everyone can benefit from the information this resource provides.”

The podcast can be accessed at learningwithlauryoungblut.buzzsprout.com. The podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced the following certified list of candidates who have applied for the associate judge vacancy in the 17^th Circuit based on the impending retirement of Associate Judge Randy Wilt:

The Circuit Judges of the 17^th Circuit are inviting written comment regarding these candidates from all interested individuals and organizations.   Comments must be in writing and received by the Chief Judge no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2024.  Anonymous letters will not be accepted.  Letters will be placed in each of the candidate’s files.  There shall be no other direct or indirect contact with any Circuit or Associate Judge regarding an individual’s candidacy.

Anyone wishing to comment should direct their correspondence by U.S. mail to Chief Judge John S. Lowry, Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 West State Street, Suite 215, Rockford, IL 61101 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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