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Cook County Circuit Court Judge Charles Burns Elected to National Treatment Court Hall of Fame

Released On 07/17/2023

On June 29, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Charles Burns received a national honor as he was inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame during a special ceremony at RISE23, the world’s preeminent conference on addiction, mental health, and justice reform.

Named for the nation’s first drug court judge, the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by All Rise, the leading training, membership, and advocacy organization for treatment courts. Judge Burns was inducted by outgoing board chair Judge Karen Freeman-Wilson (ret.).

“Judge Burns is a leader, mentor, and visionary within the treatment court community,” said Judge Freeman-Wilson. “Under his leadership, the Rehabilitative Alternative Probation and Woman’s Rehabilitative Alternative Probation treatment courts have been recognized as national mentor courts by the Bureau of Justice Assistance three times, and his innovative approach to equity and inclusion, trauma-informed care, medication for opioid use disorders, employment assistance, and criminal record relief has significantly enhanced program outcomes. It is an honor to induct him into the treatment court hall of fame.”

In accepting the induction, Judge Burns said, “I am humbled and honored by this award, though the real recipients of this award are our participants who courageously address their substance use. Their transition to productive and admired citizens is nothing short of amazing. They are the real faces of criminal justice reform.” Judge Burns thanked his drug court team and partners for their passion and tireless devotion to changing lives.   

Following the award, Judge Burns participated in a panel discussion highlighting his program’s innovative approach to assisting treatment court participants with finding housing. Joining him onstage was Melissa Fitzgerald, All Rise Director of Strategic Engagement, Johnny Washington, a housing voucher recipient, and Sarah Kaufman, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney.

Since 2018 the Cook County treatment court, known as the Rehabilitative Alternative Probation Program, has partnered with the Cook County Housing Authority to provide housing vouchers to participants and graduates. The program has thus far placed 16 individuals in housing and is considered a national model for addressing housing instability for treatment court participants.

About the RAP Program

Judge Charles Burns' (W)RAP program is an alternative sentencing approach for individuals who have committed non-violent drug related offenses. (W)RAP is a two-year felony drug treatment program that provides access to treatment as an alternative to being sentenced to prison. The goal of this program is to assist individuals in their recovery from drugs and/or alcohol addiction. This program offers support, services, and accountability to help participants readjust to the community as a sober and changed person. There are two separate programs—a men’s program and a women’s program- that are identically structured, but offers gender specific services to best meet the needs of the participant. While in the program, participants complete substance use treatment with frequent drug and alcohol screens, appear in court, attend regular self-help support groups, as well as any other treatment or counseling recommended by the (W)RAP team. The program has established community partnerships to assist participants to locate and obtain interim and long-term housing, to help furnish newly obtained housing, offers career employment and financial credit services, mental health counseling and trauma informed treatment. Upon graduation of the program, the participant’s probation is terminated satisfactorily, their cases dismissed, and their convictions expunged. 

About All Rise

All Rise is the leading training, membership, and advocacy organization for advancing justice system responses to individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. All Rise impacts every stage of the justice system, from first contact with law enforcement to corrections and reentry, and works with public health leaders to improve treatment outcomes for justice-involved individuals. Founded as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) in 1994, All Rise has been at the forefront of justice system transformation for nearly three decades. Through its four divisions—the Treatment Court Institute, Impaired Driving Solutions, Justice for Vets, and the Center for Advancing Justice—All Rise provides training and technical assistance at the local and national level, advocates for federal and state funding, and collaborates with public and private entities. All Rise works in every U.S. state and territory and in countries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.allrise.org.