The county board's finance and budget committee approved the budget transfer. It will help pay the mental health counseling providers "in the interlude," said Court Administrator Doug Naughton.

The court, which officially began operating two months ago, is designed to give special attention to some criminal offenders with diagnosed mental illness. It is based on the idea that mental health offenders can benefit more by treatment than by jail time, and that treatment might cut down on repeat offenses.

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, said in February that the court would be paid for, at least at first, by a $246,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The county board has added a fee onto court filings to pay for the specialty court in the future.

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