Miller Taylor is a recovered drug addict from Joliet, Illinois, who has spent almost a decade helping other addicts. As a thank you, Miller Taylor’s name is now on Will County’s new drug treatment house.
Taylor had a wife and a daughter. His wife, Vera, split from Taylor but never divorced him. Vera is credited with helping Taylor turn his life around.
"I used to pray to God, that I didn’t want him to get hurt out there," Vera Taylor said. "It’s hard when they think they don’t have a problem."
Taylor believes that the drug court program saved his life. The program provides counseling, weekly drug tests and work requirements instead of prison time. Taylor is now spending most of his time in the drug court, working alongside judges and prosecutors. Taylor is helping other addicts get admitted to the program.
"Something God had for me to do other than get high," Taylor said.
"It’s like a big family, and Miller is a big part of that," said Frank Astrella, head of the Will County public defender’s office.
James Glasgow is the Will County State’s Attorney. Glasgow believes that naming the new drug recovery house the Miller Taylor House was an obvious choice.
"He stands as an example for everyone who comes into drug court," Glasgow said.
Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes oversees the Will County drug court program. She believes the program is a good one because it saves taxpayers money and has a high success rate. Poliocandriotes acknowledges, however, that the program can be seen as a political risk at times.
