Investigation takes in-depth look at Illinois' mental health courts

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC7's "Weekend Watch" shines a spotlight on government activity.

An Illinois Answers Project investigation is taking an in-depth look at the state's network of mental health courts.

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These courts aim to divert people suffering from a serious mental illness and are facing criminal charges away from prison. Instead, they are sent to treatment.

According to their investigation, more than 6,000 people have gone through mental health courts since they began operating in Illinois in the early 2000s.

However, they say only about half have graduated, and millions of others have been excluded.

Grace Hauck from the Illinois Answers Project joined ABC7 to discuss on Saturday morning. Click here for more.