A special program on “Restoring the Balance: The Legal Community's Role in Restorative Justice” will open the ISBA Midyear Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.

ISBA President Irene F. Bahr will open the program at 1:30 p.m. with introductions and also will provide closing remarks at 4:50 p.m.

At 1:35 p.m., crime victim Sarita Villareal will related her experience with restorative justice in “Making the Victim Whole.” She will tell how it addressed her need to challenge the offender's act and validate her feelings, concerns and fears.

A documentary, “Burning Bridges,” at 1:50 p.m. will describe how an emotional restorative conference brought together six young men who set fire to a historic covered bridge in Pennsylvania with their families and community.

At 2:05 p.m., Chief Judge George Timberlake of the 2nd Circuit in Mt. Vernon will explain balanced and restorative justice principles, and discuss implementation programs and successes.

“If We Can Do It, Anyone Can,” a panel at 2:50 p.m., will review successfully operating juvenile programs based on restorative justice. Sally Wolf is the moderator and speaker on family group conferences and circles in Paxton.

Panelists are Cheryl Graves, on community panels in Chicago; Lori Brown, on school-based programs and circles in Peoria; Tara Montgomery on neighborhood accountability panels and victim-offender mediation in Mt. Vernon, and Mike Fratto, on programs implemented by the police department in Champaign.

At 3:50 p.m., a panel will offer a view from the bench and comments from prosecution and defense bars. Moderator is 11th Circuit Judge Stephen R. Pacey of Paxton, a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Council.

Panelists are Cook County Judge Sophia H. Hall, 15th Circuit Judge John Payne, assistant Cook County state's attorney Jim McCarter, and Champaign County public defender Randall B. Rosenblum, president of the Illinois Public Defender Association and member of the Criminal Justice Section Council.