Following its annual tradition, HeplerBroom donated to the Madison County (Illinois) Veterans’ Court in honor of Veteran’s Day and the firm’s employees who are U.S. military veterans. The Court, founded in 2009 by The Honorable Charles Romani, was created to: (1) ensure that justice-involved veterans are connected to the benefits and treatment they earned through their military service, and (2) divert them from the traditional criminal justice system. Using a non-adversarial approach, the Veterans Administration, State’s Attorney’s office, defense counsel, Madison County Problem-Solving Court, and other community partners work together to give each veteran the best possible chance of getting back on track as a healthy, productive citizen. Among other things, the program includes substance abuse and mental health assessments as well as help obtaining any service-connected disability benefits. The program also includes a peer mentoring program.

(L-R) The Honorable Sarah Smith (Lieutenant Colonel and Military Judge, Illinois Army National Guard Reserves; Presiding Judge, Veterans’ Court); The Honorable Charles Romani (Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1969-1971; served in Vietnam 1970-1971), receiving a donation to the Veterans’ Court from HeplerBroom partner Troy Bozarth.

(L-R) Kevin McKee (Director of Probation & Court Services, Amy Guffey (Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist), Mike Wilkenson (Deputy Chief of Problem-Solving Courts & Pretrial Services), Delani Hemmer (Public Defender), Michael Malone (Probation Officer), Shannon Anderson (Supervisor), The Honorable Sarah Smith (Lieutenant Colonel and Military Judge, Illinois Army National Guard Reserves, and presiding Judge, Veterans’ Court), The Honorable Charles Romani (Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1969-1971, served in Vietnam 1970-1971), HeplerBroom partner Troy Bozarth, Judge Patrick King, Judge Tim Berkley, and Chad Loughrey (Assistant State’s Attorney).