Community Restitution

The Community Restitution Program is a non-profit work site which operates under the St. Charles Police Department. It works closely with the local court systems in Kane County and surrounding areas to coordinate community work for defendants referred to the program. The program has been in existence since 2012 and has proven to be an important contributing asset to the Police Department, as well as the businesses and residents of the City of St. Charles. Those assigned to the program are expected to complete specific hours of labor as restitution to the community.

Participants in the Program

Participants are assigned to work a number of hours by court order. The program accepts adults and juveniles who are charged with non-violent offenses. During the 2023, 87 defendants participated in the program of which 50 have graduated, and the remainder continue to work towards completion. Defendants completed more than 2,000 hours in labor. Resulting in a total monetary savings of nearly $48,000. This figure is calculated using the average of the state minimum wage and an entry-level laborer for the City. The program continues to be a place of learning and growing, as well as a place where defendants are aided in finding counseling and other rehabilitation needs.

Work and Responsibilities

The program is operated as a workday. Rules and regulations are explained to each defendant prior to being accepted into the program. Each defendant is required to sign a contract stating that they agree to comply to the program’s rules and regulations. Defendant’s are assigned to many different tasks including, but not limited to:

• Pressure washing sidewalks and buildings
• Collecting trash from roadways and emptying trash bins throughout the downtown area
• Assisting with general maintenance of police department facilities
• Removing snow from the downtown area and public spaces
• Washing, disinfecting, and detailing vehicles for the police department and public works
• Assisting residents in need
• Painting and removal of graffiti
• Mowing and general landscaping of City property as well as abandoned or foreclosed properties
• Assisting with county recycling events.