Nicasa to honor Lake Co. judge at Angel Ball

He's been a judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit for 18 years, and was a co-chair of the Illinois State Bar Association committee that created and worked to pass now-existing legislation that gives children better representation in custody and dissolution of marriage cases.

He also served as co-chair of the committee that set the qualifications and necessary training for child representatives, and worked as Judge Advocate with the U.S. Air Force.

Judge John Phillips will be honored for this history of service and his current work with the Lake County Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring (TIM) Court/Drug Court at Nicasa's Angel Ball on Saturday, April 24. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and be held at the Ivanhoe Club, 28846 N. Thorngate Drive in Mundelein.

"Judge Phillips has worked extensively with Nicasa in the drug court program, an alternative rehabilitation program for repeat offenders of drug-related offenses," said Judy Fried, executive officer of Nicasa. "He is a compassionate judge who has saved many lives by motivating defendants to seek rehabilitation through drug court instead of continuing a life of crime and addiction."

The event is being organized by the volunteer Women's Auxiliary of Nicasa, a local non-profit that provides alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services for individuals, families and communities. The evening will include dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions. Reservations are $125 per person and can be made online at nicasa.org.

"We're very excited about this event," said Madelyn Sergel, chairperson of the Women's Auxiliary. "We're hoping for a great turnout to recognize Judge Phillips for his compassionate work in the community and to support Nicasa's programs for men, women, youth and families struggling with the causes and effects of alcohol and other drug use."

For more information about the Angel Ball, or to donate or volunteer, visit nicasa.org, or contact Christel Tatro at Nicasa at (847) 201-7072 or ctatro@nicasa.org.