"Restorative justice is a broad term which encompasses a growing social movement to institutionalize peaceful approaches to harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights. These range from international peacemaking tribunals …to innovations within the criminal justice system, schools, social services and communities. ... Restorative justice seeks to build partnerships to reestablish mutual responsibility for constructive responses to wrongdoing within our communities.
Restorative approaches seek a balanced approach to the needs of the victim, wrongdoer and community through processes that preserve the safety and dignity of all" [Wikipedia.org / Suffolk University, College of Arts & Sciences, Center for Restorative Justice].
Restorative Justice in Action, an ongoing series, supported exclusively by New Thought Chicago and the Studios of Chicago Access Television, highlights the practices, challenges and achievements of selected members of the Chicago" City-Wide Restorative Justice Committee".

The City Wide Restorative Justice Committee has been meeting quarterly since September 1999, following passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (Jan.1999), which specifically mentions community participation in using the principles of balanced and restorative justice in responding to youth who commit offenses.