Felony Prostitution Court: WINGS and Feathers

1. Felony Prostitution Court: WINGS and Feathers Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins

2. Background • An order issued January 2011 by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division Paul P. Biebel, Jr. established the WINGS court and assigned all felony prostitution cases to Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins. • The WINGS court was developed in response to a community based initiative led by The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless’s Prostitution Alternatives Roundtable (PART) and other social service providers. • See handout for list of contributing providers. • Court received Judicial Excellence Award from PART Roundtable in January 2012.

3. Goal of the WINGS court • To offer a rehabilitative resource for women charged with felony prostitution to develop emotional, psychological, educational, and job alternatives to the commercial sex trade.

4. Program Protocol • 2 years of POWER Probation • Often beginning with treatment in the Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Program or private treatment programs • Monitored by TASC and/or POWER Probation Case Management

5. 5 Core Requirements 1. Alcohol and Drug Treatment • In-patient and out-patient • AA/NA 2. Trauma Informed Counseling • Change from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” 3. Survivor Mentorship • PA 4. G.E.D./H.S. Diploma/Other Educational or Job Training 5. Employment

6. Ancillary Services • Rape Survivor Advocacy • Family Re-Unification & Legal Services • Health Care • Housing • Short term/long term

7. Feathers • “Building WINGS one feather at a time”

8. Courtroom Protocol • Courtroom 206, 2600 S. California Avenue • Court begins at 9:30 a.m. • In-custody participants sit in the jury box to observe the participants out on bond. • Court room staffing

9. Steering Committee • Meets on a monthly basis to: • Discuss the progress of the program • Invite new service providers to participate • Make critical assessments and evaluations

10. Steering Committee Memebers • Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins • Amy Campanelli, Supervisor, Officer of the Public Defender • Joe Danzl, Court Liaison, Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Program • Sarah Layden, Director of Advocacy Services, Rape Victim’s Advocates • Daria Mueller, Chairperson, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless • Al Pizza, Supervisor, TASC • Pam Pottle, Supervisor, POWER Probation • Octavia Tyson, Housing Division, Heartland Alliance • Charise Valente, Supervisor, State’s Attorney’s Office

11. Current Projects • Research with Dr. Art Lurigio, Loyola University Chicago • Modify WINGS Service Protocol Accordingly • Felony Prostitution Court Conference 2013 • Website development • Development of Participant Advisory Committee • Volunteers

12. Recommendations for Change • Expand non-governmental support and funding for community linkages through the Steering Committee • Need for more in-patient and out-patient treatment programs • Safe Housing, food , clothing, and transportation • Need for more Spanish-speaking services

13. Upcoming and Recent Events • MSNBC’s The Today Show Interview to be broadcast in documentary: “Sex Slaves in America” • “WINGS takes flight in county,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (September 5, 2012).

14. Contact Information • Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins Courtroom 206 2600 S. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608 (773) 674-7416 • Susie Bucaro, Staff Attorney (773) 674-3317 Susie.bucaro@cookcountyil.gov • Website: http://www.cookcountycourt.org/ABOUTTHECOURT/CountyDepartment/CriminalDivision/SpecialtyCourts/WINGSandFeathers.aspx