Winnebago County Veterans Court (Seventeenth Judicial Circuit)

The Winnebago County Veterans Court, established in 2012, rebuilds the lives of veterans charged with felony or misdemeanour offences who have an underlying substance use disorder or mental illness; coordinator Kathryn Smith, 815-319-4805.

Also called: veterans court, veterans treatment court, VTC, Seventeenth Circuit, Rockford, 730 ILCS 166, Kathryn Smith, 2012.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Winnebago County, ILCounty

Illinois's veterans and problem-solving courts rest on the Veterans Treatment Court Act; see the Illinois entry (730 ILCS 167/20(a-5) sets the circuit's criteria). The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit's own page: "The Winnebago County Veterans Court was established in 2012 to help rebuild the lives of Veterans who are charged with felony or misdemanor [sic] offenses who have an underlying substance use disorder or mental illness." Who. "The Veterans Treatment Court Act provides statutory eligibility information. Participants must be willing to consent to participate and have a pending felony or misdemeanor matter that is eligible by statute and programmatic eligibility. Any holds for parole or other jurisdictions need to be resolved prior to referal [sic]." How. "For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kathryn Smith, Veterans Court Coordinator at 815-319-4805."

Thresholds

Thresholds for Winnebago County Veterans Court (Seventeenth Judicial Circuit)
Gate	Rule
Justice-involved veteran	The court is for a veteran with a pending felony or misdemeanour matter who consents and is accepted. A disability rating is not the test.

Sources

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Winnebago County Veterans CourtOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.