Restorative Justice Community Court graduates get clean record and second chance

Eleven lives took off to a new start on Thursday morning in the North Lawndale neighborhood.

The group of young adults graduated from the Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCC), a program designed to end the amount of people who re-offend after non-violent felony and misdemeanor charges and help residents reenter the community.

“This program was the best program I’ve ever been in. I thank it for saving my life,” said 25-year-old Jayda Willingham.

The North Lawndale native said she is standing in a completely different place in her life than she was two years ago when she received a felony charge in Cook County.

Instead of going through the traditional court system, Willingham was offered a spot in the RJCC where adults ages 18-26 with non-violent felony and misdemeanor charges can instead complete community service, job training, counseling and peace-circle discussions to accept responsibility.

“I really needed that. I was going through stuff at the time, I had nobody to talk to,” Willingham said. “It’s great people here who help you to get you where you need to be, great resources if you need help with shelter, if you need help with job interviews, if you need help with transportation they help you.”

Upon completion graduates’ cases are dismissed, or their record is expunged.

It’s designed to lower the rates of recidivism, or repeat offenses.

“The recidivism rate over at 26th and California is 65%, meaning that within one year after completion of a service somebody will reoffend,” said Judge Timothy Evans. “The Restorative Justice program is 13%.”

Judge Evans says lower rates of repeat offenses translates into more than just numbers. They represent real people building stable lives and stronger communities.

“It’s amazing we’re saving lives, we’re reducing violence and these young people when they graduate from a service like this, they return to the community as a contributing citizen rather than a convicted felon,” he said.

Willingham was one of 11 graduates Thursday, and is already off to a new start.

“I’m already a City of Chicago worker right now, I’m a parking enforcement so my life is already going good,” she said.

There are four RJCC in the Chicagoland area.