TIP Court (Mental Health Court)

Resource Links on Treatment Courts:

National Center for State Courts
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts
All Rise- formerly National Association of Drug Court Professionals

For additional Information, please contact:

Emily Behnke,
Deputy Court Administrator
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Our Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) was instituted in 2005 and is designed for adults with a serious mental illness who have been arrested for misdemeanor or felony offenses. The goal is to decrease reoccurring arrest, decrease days in jail, and increase access and participation in services, so as to enhance public safety by reducing the likelihood that a person will reoffend. TIP is strictly a voluntary program where participants receive wrap around services which include intensive case management services, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, trauma therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy while under rigorous judicial monitoring and accountability.

The Illinois Mental Health Court Treatment Act provides statutory eligibility information. Participants must be willing to consent to participate and have a pending felony or misdemeanor matter that is eligible by statute and programmatic eligibility. Any holds for parole or other jurisdictions need to be resolved prior to referal.

For more information about the TIP Court program, please review the Participant Handbook.
TIP Participant Handbook

To refer an individual to the TIP Court program, complete the referral form below and return it to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
TIP Court Referral Form

For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kathryn Smith, TIP Court Coordinator at 815-319-4805 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..