Mental health courts get a boost from the University of Illinois College of Medicine

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) _ A new center to be housed in Rockford at the University of Illinois College of Medicine will help counties across Illinois set up jail diversion programs and special courts for drug offenders, military veterans and people with mental illnesses.

State officials announced Friday a $260,000 federal grant to start the Illinois Center of Excellence in Mental Health and Justice. It will have satellites at University of Illinois sites in Chicago, Peoria, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign.

Treatment instead of jail is appropriate for some offenders. The goal of special courts is to get the right people into treatment.

The center will provide evidence-based training and other help to create special courts and offer alternatives to jail. The center also will help train treatment providers about working with offenders.

McLean County has successfully worked with both drug and mental health court programs to reduce its jail population.