Mental health at the 2026 Judicial Education Conference | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

With support from the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College, the Illinois Courts’ Mental Health Action Plan recommendations will be integrated throughout the 2026 Judicial Education Conference.

• Han. Janet Holmgren and Abdi Tinwalla, MD will present a Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative inspired session titled Judicial Work at the Interface of Behavioral Health and the Court. Session attendees will gain practical knowledge and tools to help identify and respond to people with behavioral health challenges in the courtroom.
• Hon. Paul Novak (19^th Judicial Circuit), Hon. John Coady (ret.), and Dr. Sharon Coleman, IDHS Deputy Director of Forensic and Justice Services, will serve as faculty for a session focused on Fitness to Stand Trial Proceedings.
• Hon. Maureen Ward Kirby (Presiding Judge, County Division, Circuit Court of Cook County) and Hon. Jennifer Ascher, Associate Judge (7^th Judicial Circuit) will facilitate Civil Involuntary Treatment Proceedings: The Land of Appellate Reversal. This course will provide information to assist judges in conducting procedurally sound hearings and the application of the Supreme Court’s Uniform Orders.
• Other mental health topics will include Problem-Solving Courts, Mental Health Crisis and the Courts, and various Mental Health and Wellness focused sessions and activities.