Community Restitution

Focus

Trash pick-up in parks, neighborhoods, the Central Business District, and the entryways to the city is a major focus of the program's efforts.  During winter months will assist will snow removal for Senior Community and School’s walk way routes.  The program also works closely with many other city departments and other non-profit origination to assist them with projects they have throughout the city.

We are not only focus on giving back to community but building better tuned citizens to their surrounding neighborhoods.  Through developing an increased sense of social responsibility – a global view of society and a heart for 'giving back' and helping others. Provides an opportunity to apply academic learning to real life events.  Builds relationships and ‘social connectednesses” with peers and Elgin citizens, and exposes them to diversity and multiculturalism.  Improves lifelong communication, interpersonal and critical thinking skills.  Helps them find their passions and interests that may lead to a career choice they may have not considered.  

Community service is an essential way for each person to explore their interests, show what they believe in, and define a possible career path. By engaging in volunteer work, they have an opportunity to learn experientially. They discover where their passions lie while undertaking ‘feel good’ projects that truly make a difference. These experiences allow them to make more informed choices in their lives and their career, while instilling a lifelong interest in giving back.

Program Hours

The Program runs six days a week (Monday - Saturday) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and every other Saturday from 7:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.  Seasonally 7 days a week during summer to fall.  Call: 847-931-6127 or Email: wimms_f@cityofelgin.org for scheduling details.

About the Program

The Community Restitution Program consists of adults who are referred to the Elgin Police Department either directly by a judge or through the Kane County Probation Department, Cook County Probation Department or any surrounding Counties.  The defendants can be referred for a wide variety of offenses, including both misdemeanors and felonies. The largest number of referrals are for traffic-related and first-time offenses.

History

The Community Restitution Service Program was started in 1992 by former Elgin Police Lt. J.W. Smith and modeled after Cook County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP). The original funding for the program was obtained through a Community Development Block Grant, which was initiated by Lt. Smith with the approval of former Police Chief Charles Gruber.

The program's objectives were to provide a symbolic restitution to the community through physical labor, offer a positive work experience for the offender, and to make use of a viable sentencing alternative for the Elgin and Kane County courts.