Legal eligibility:

• Charged with a nonviolent drug related violation
• May not have been convicted within the past ten years of a crime of violence as defined by 730 ILCS 167/20(b)(3)
• Must admit substance use or addiction to drugs

Clinical eligibility:

• Diagnosis of substance use disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by (W)RAP Case Manager
• Meet minimum risk score on the screening tool administered by the Cook County Adult Probation Department
• Agree to participate in any recommended substance use or mental health treatment

Referral Process

To refer your client to (W)RAP, please complete the Problem-Solving Courts and Diversion Programs Referral Form and submit to Problemsolvingcourts@cookcountyil.gov. The form will be reviewed by the team, which consists of the Judge, Assistant State’s Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, Probation Officers, Case Manager, and Project Coordinator. Our team will follow up with you to discuss next steps.

Legal information

If the defendant wishes to be admitted to (W)RAP, he or she is required to enter a plea of guilty pursuant to which he/she is resentenced/sentenced to a period of two (2) years (W)RAP Probation.

Candidates for RAP/WRAP who are ineligible or choose not to participate may elect to plead guilty and accept any other negotiated sentence or to plead not guilty and contest the violation of probation or charge(s) in the pending case.

A participant may be discharged from (W)RAP in one of four (4) ways: successful discharge; neutral discharge; unsuccessful discharge, and voluntary withdrawal.

How do I get referred?

You can apply if you have been charged with one or more felony non-violent offenses. To be considered, you must:

• Be willing to be honest about your use of drugs and alcohol
• Have a diagnosed substance use disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) 
• Be willing to join a drug treatment program (outpatient or one where you live for some time) 
• Haven’t already been in this program 3 times or more already
• Agree to take drug tests
• Agree to an interview to help us learn about your substance use and mental health issues, your risk of being re-arrested, and whether the program can meet your needs

​The judge and the rest of our team will review your information and decide if you are accepted into the program.

What does the program look like?

Our team will also support you and connect you to resources along the way. Typically, the program takes about 2 years to finish.

Honesty with yourself, the judge, and the team is the key to success in the program.

	Report to your PO and appear in court whenever asked Tell your PO right away if you move, get a new phone number, or get or lose a job. Tell your PO right away if you have contact with law enforcement, you are in the hospital, or your medicines change. Take part in any random drug and alcohol testing we ask of you. Try to pay any fees you may owe, if that applies (please note: if you are not able to pay any fees you owe, that will not affect your progress in the program.)
	Take part in any assessments the team asks of you. Take part in in- or outpatient substance use, medical, or mental health treatment or housing placements asked of you by the team. Attend sober support group meetings and find a sponsor. Take part in any other treatment or counseling we ask of you.
	Take part in education programs, high school equivalency (such as GED classes) programs, or job training program we ask of you. Complete community service hours we ask of you.

Types of services offered

(W)RAP provides referrals for a wide variety of wrap around services including detox, residential substance use treatment, recovery home services, employment, housing, trauma-informed mental health services, parenting classes, recovery meetings, digital and financial literacy courses, and legal aid.

Interested in Partnering?

(W)RAP is always looking to expand its partnerships with community agencies and programs. If you are interested in partnering with (W)RAP, please send an email to Problemsolvingcourts@cookcountyil.gov.

Participant Handbook

For additional information, please read the Participant Handbook

Statistics

• Over 85% of defendants found acceptable for (W)RAP have entered treatment.

• About 49% of admitted participants have successfully completed the (W)RAP program.

• According to a study of graduates from 2014-2021, only 3.8% were charged with new felonies within one year of graduating. Within three years, 9.6% were charged with new felonies, and within 5 years, 10.4% of graduates were charged with new felony convictions. 

Non-English Speakers

If you do not speak or understand English, you have the right to have an interpreter at no cost to you. This person will interpret the court meetings each time you attend court. All court buildings in Cook County have Spanish and Polish interpreters available. You or your lawyer can ask for an interpreter at any time. You or your lawyer can order an interpreter for any other language through the Office of Interpreter Services.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, the court will assign you a sign language interpreter. They are available at all court buildings in Cook County.

You can request disability services 14 days in advance from the Court Disability Coordinator for the Office of the Chief Judge and the office will follow up within 7 days from the date they receive your request.

Additional Cook County Drug Courts

For information on additional Cook County Drug Treatment Courts locations, click here.

Have Questions?

If you would like more information or have any questions, please email Problemsolvingcourts@cookcountyil.gov.