CASA of Will County: History

"As a judge, I had to make a tough decision. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known, or leave him someplace where he might possibly be abused.
I needed someone who could tell me what was best for the child from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does."

Judge David Soukup, founder of CASA

2002 – CASA of Will County wins Governor's Hometown Award for volunteerism

2003 – Selected by National CASA to become one of 16 local CASA programs to participate in Volunteer Retention Pilot program out of 900 national programs.

2004 – CASA achieves “Certificate of Compliance” from National CASA. Significant endorsement of quality program

2005 - CASA of Will County served 213 abused and neglected children, an increase from last year of 7%.

2006 - CASA of Will County served 239 abused and neglected children, an increase from last year of 12%. Since 2000 the program increased services 128%.

2007 - CASA of Will County served 284 abused and neglected children, an increase from last year of 19%. Since 2000 the program continued increased services 170%.

2008 - CASA of Will County served 316 abused and neglected children, an increase from last year of 11%. Since 2000 the program experienced substantial growth of 201%.

2009 - CASA of Will County served 234 abused and neglected children. The decrease in the number of children served for 2009 was driven by a change in DCFS reporting of abuse and neglect cases.

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program originated in Seattle, Washington in 1977 by Judge David Soukup, the presiding judge of King County Superior Court. He was troubled by the small amount of time and information he was given to make decisions destined to change the lives of abused and neglected children.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused children and to ensure they do not get lost in the overburdened legal system or languish in foster care. They stay with each child's case until it is closed and the child is placed into a safe permanent home with hope for a positive future.

CASA of Will County began serving abused and neglected children in late 1994. Offices are located at the River Valley Justice Center in Joliet , which houses all juvenile court related services, including Juvenile Court. In the year 2000, the court began assigning CASA's as the child's GAL- Guardian Ad Litem, resulting in improved legal representation for these children.