2022 IL App (4th) 210615-U 

NO. 4-21-0615 

IN THE APPELLATE COURT

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

In re DETENTION OF RAYMOND RAINEY

(The People of the State of Illinois,

Petitioner-Appellee, 

v. 

Raymond Rainey, 

Respondent-Appellant). 

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Appeal from the

Circuit Court of

Morgan County

No. 98MR41

Honorable

Christopher E. Reif,

Judge Presiding.

______________________________________________________________________________ 

 JUSTICE TURNER delivered the judgment of the court.

 Presiding Justice Knecht and Justice Steigmann concurred in the judgment. 

ORDER

¶ 1 Held: The circuit court did not err by finding no probable cause shown to warrant an 

 evidentiary hearing on whether respondent was still a sexually violent person.

¶ 2 Respondent, Raymond Rainey, a person committed under the Sexually Violent 

Persons Commitment Act (Act) (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq. (West 2020)), appeals the Morgan 

County circuit court’s September 27, 2021, order, in which the court found no probable cause to 

warrant an evidentiary hearing on whether respondent was still a sexually violent person. On 

appeal, respondent argues the circuit court erred by finding no probable cause. We affirm.

¶ 3 I. BACKGROUND 

¶ 4 In September 1998, the State filed its petition to have respondent committed as a 

sexually violent person pursuant to the Act. At a February 2000 hearing, respondent admitted he 

was a sexually violent person. The circuit court accepted respondent’s admission, adjudicated 

NOTICE

This Order was filed under 

Supreme Court Rule 23 and is 

not precedent except in the 

limited circumstances allowed 

under Rule 23(e)(1). 

FILED

June 14, 2022

Carla Bender

4th District Appellate

Court, IL
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him a sexually violent person, and committed him to the Department of Human Services

(Department). After a May 2000 dispositional hearing, the court ordered respondent placed in a 

secured institutional facility. In October 2001, this court affirmed respondent’s adjudication as a 

sexually violent person and his commitment to a secured facility. People v. Rainey, 325 Ill. App. 

3d 573, 758 N.E.2d 492 (2001).

¶ 5 In July 2003, respondent filed a pro se postjudgment motion challenging the 

constitutionality of the Act, which the circuit court dismissed. In June 2006, this court affirmed 

the circuit court’s dismissal. In re Detention of Rainey, 363 Ill. App. 3d 1225, 917 N.E.2d 648 

(2006) (table) (unpublished order under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23). Over the years, 

respondent has received numerous reexaminations and remains committed to a secured facility. 

The reexamination preceding the one at issue in this appeal was conducted by Deborah Nicolai, 

Psy.D, a licensed clinical psychologist, and took place in March 2018. In January 2019, the

circuit court found no probable cause was shown to believe respondent was no longer a sexually 

violent person. Respondent appealed, and on September 13, 2019, this court affirmed the circuit 

court’s judgment. In re Detention of Rainey, 2019 IL App (4th) 190058-U.

¶ 6 In April 2021, Dr. Nicolai again conducted respondent’s yearly reexamination, 

which is the one at issue in this appeal. Dr. Nicolai’s April 11, 2021, report noted respondent 

was 65 years old and had been admitted into the Department in 1998. In preparing the report, 

Dr. Nicolai (1) interviewed respondent, (2) consulted with Ms. Caraway and Dr. Duffee, and

(3) reviewed approximately 16 documents. The report set forth respondent’s relevant history, 

including his criminal, sexual, and treatment histories. Dr. Nicolai also explained the 

Department was organized into three levels of program involvement and had a five-phase 

treatment program. The first level was engagement, in which residents attend treatment groups 
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and full disclosure and open participation was encouraged. The second level was disclosure, and 

the third level was post-disclosure. The five phases, in order, were the following: 

(1) assessment, (2) accepting responsibility, (3) self-application, (4) incorporation, and 

(5) transition. The aforementioned labels generally describe the focus of the treatment during 

that phase. The report then provided a further description of the Department’s treatment 

program as follows: 

“Originally, there were three Core treatment groups: Relapse Prevention, 

Cognitive Restructuring, and Journaling. Residents progressed in treatment by 

completing Core Treatment Objectives (Objectives) within Phases. Since 2010, 

residents initially complete assessments, and engage in treatment groups for 

residents with marginal or inconsistent treatment involvement (‘Power to 

Change’) or participate in groups working on Phase II Journaling and Cognitive 

Restructuring objectives. When residents have completed treatment readiness 

objectives, they may progress to Relapse Prevention Groups, which are divided 

into groups for residents working on Phase II objectives (‘Disclosure Group’), and 

groups for residents working on objectives in Phase III and above (‘PostDisclosure Groups’). Sex offense specific treatment objectives are generally 

addressed in Disclosure and Post-Disclosure treatment groups.”

¶ 7 Respondent did not sign a consent to treatment until March 2005 and began 

attending Treatment Foundations Group, which was designed to prepare resident for 

participation in sex offense specific treatment groups. His participation in that group was 

“intermittent,” and he remained in the group until August 2018. Respondent then began 

attending the disclosure group on August 9, 2018, but stopped attending on September 20, 2018. 
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He told Dr. Nicolai he stopped attending disclosure group because a group member talked about 

his family outside of group. Respondent indicated he would go back to disclosure group. 

Respondent was placed in Power to Change on August 2, 2019. Since his admission, respondent 

had only completed the following programs: (1) “Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): 

Emotional Regulation” in September 2011, (2) anger management in January 2012, 

(3) communications group in February 2016, (4) introduction to thinking errors in February 

2018, (5) decision-making model in February 2018, and (6) healthy relationships in May 2018. 

Respondent had attended but quit or otherwise was removed from the other following groups 

prior to completion: (1) mindfulness skills (three times and possibly a fourth), (2) distress 

tolerance, (3) problem solving, and (4) good lives exploration group (two times). 

¶ 8 The report noted respondent had a full-scale intelligence quotient of 80, which 

placed him in the low average range of intellectual functioning. Specialized sex-offender 

treatment was available for individuals in the borderline range of intellectual functioning. 

Additionally, respondent’s most recent plethysmograph evaluation in June 2012 showed he 

displayed “significant sexual arousal (Slight)” to the adult female persuasive segment, which is 

considered normal for adult males. Respondent did not display significant sexual arousal to any 

sexually deviant segments presented. Additionally, during the current clinical interview, Dr. 

Nicolai noted respondent demonstrated improvement in his interactive style. He was less angry 

and more easily engaged and approachable. Respondent identified his treatment goal as return to 

disclosure group but acknowledged he still had a little work to do. He felt his treatment was 

“ ‘going good.’ ” 

¶ 9 Respondent’s May 2020 master treatment plan indicated that, since his initial 

assignment to Power to Change, respondent had shown improvement in “ ‘more consistent’ 
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participation, ‘less disruptive behavior,’ and his ability to regulate his behavior and accept 

redirection when needed.” Respondent frequently reflected on feedback and related it to past 

problematic behavior or offending patterns. He also addressed his aggressive communication 

style and continued to work on more effective communication. Additionally, respondent 

discussed his tendency to make impulsive decisions driven by emotion. Respondent received 

two minor rule violations in February and March 2020 and a major rule violation in April 2020

for refusing to return to his assigned housing. His November 2020 treatment plan indicated 

respondent was still in Phase II and was attending Power to Change to address his treatment 

barriers and prepare for a successful return to the disclosure group. Respondent was absent from 

Power to Change on March 1, 2021. On March 9, 2021, respondent was placed on temporary 

management status after he received a major rule violation for threats and intimidation, which 

resulted in him missing Power to Change on March 15, 2021.

¶ 10 In Dr. Nicolai’s opinion, respondent, upon his return to disclosure group, needed 

to continue to work through his resentments and begin to focus on his inner dynamics that led 

him to commit the sexual offenses against female children. Specifically, he needed to recognize 

and restructure the cognitive distortions he holds that allow him to feel justified in his behaviors, 

honestly disclose his sexual offense history, and construct his sexual offense cycle to reduce risk 

of reoffending. Dr. Nicolai again opined as follows:

“It is essential for [respondent] to recognize his risk of sexual recidivism and his 

related internal and external triggers. He needs to develop a genuine 

understanding of how protecting his sexual offending behaviors (through defense 

mechanisms such as minimization, denial, justification, blaming, secret-keeping, 

etc.) leaves the behaviors un-changed.” 
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Dr. Nicolai recognized respondent had made a positive step in his treatment process by 

expressing a desire to improve his communication, increase his emotional regulation, and 

decrease his impulsivity and poor problem solving/decision making. During the review period, 

improvement had been noted in those areas.

¶ 11 Additionally, Dr. Nicolai opined respondent suffered from the following mental 

disorders: (1) pedophilic disorder, nonexclusive type, sexually attracted to both; (2) alcohol use 

disorder, in sustained remission, in a controlled environment; and (3) antisocial personality 

disorder. She explained her reasoning for those diagnoses. As to the issue of respondent’s 

dangerousness, she used the Static-99R and the Static-2002R risk assessments. Respondent 

placed in the above average risk category on both assessments. Dr. Nicolai also noted 

respondent had the following empirical risk factors for future sexual offending: (1) deviant 

sexual interest, (2) offense-supportive attitudes, (3) intimacy deficits, (4) general lifestyle 

impulsivity, (5) poor cognitive problem solving, (6) hostility, (7) resistance to rules or 

supervision, (8) antisocial personality disorder, and (9) substance abuse. Dr. Nicolai opined 

respondent had no protective factors such as age, medical condition, or sex-offender treatment. 

In finding age was not a protective factor, she noted age was incorporated into the risk 

assessments. To a reasonable degree of psychological certainty, Dr. Nicolai opined that, based 

on his mental disorders and assessed risk, respondent remained substantially probable to engage 

in acts of sexual violence. She also opined respondent (1) had not changed since his last 

examination, (2) had not made sufficient progress in his treatment to be conditionally released, 

and (3) remained in need of institutional care in a secure facility.

¶ 12 In July 2021, the State filed a motion for a finding of no probable cause based 

upon Dr. Nicolai’s yearly reevaluation report. In its motion, the State noted respondent had not 
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affirmatively waived his right to petition the court for discharge, and thus section 65(b)(1) of the 

Act (725 ILCS 207/65(b)(1) (West 2020)) required the circuit court to hold a probable-cause 

hearing. 

¶ 13 In September 2021, the circuit court held the probable-cause hearing. After the 

attorneys made their arguments on probable cause, the court found no probable cause was shown 

to believe respondent was no longer a sexually violent person. The court directed the State to 

prepare a written order. On September 27, 2021, the circuit court entered the written order

finding no probable cause existed to warrant an evidentiary hearing to determine whether 

respondent was still a sexually violent person. 

¶ 14 On October 15, 2021, respondent filed a timely notice of appeal in sufficient 

compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 303 (eff. July 1, 2017), and thus this court has 

jurisdiction under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 301 (eff. Feb. 1, 1994). See 725 ILCS 207/20 

(West 2020) (noting the proceedings under the Act are civil in nature).

¶ 15 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 16 Respondent’s sole contention on appeal is the circuit court erred by finding no 

probable cause was shown to warrant an evidentiary hearing to determine whether respondent 

was still a sexually violent person. The State disagrees, arguing the circuit court’s decision was 

correct. 

¶ 17 At the time of each reexamination under the Act, the committed person receives 

notice of the right to petition the circuit court for discharge. 725 ILCS 207/65(b)(1) (West 

2020). If the committed person does not affirmatively waive that right, like respondent in this 

case, the court must “set a probable cause hearing to determine whether facts exist to believe that 

since the most recent periodic reexamination ***, the condition of the committed person has so 
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changed that he or she is no longer a sexually violent person.” 725 ILCS 207/65(b)(1) (West 

2020). At such a probable-cause hearing, the court only reviews the reexamination reports and 

hears the parties’ arguments. 725 ILCS 207/65(b)(1) (West 2020). If the court finds probable 

cause does exist, then it must set an evidentiary hearing on the issue. 725 ILCS 207/65(b)(2) 

(West 2020). Since the circuit court only considered Dr. Nicolai’s reexamination report and the 

facts contained in that report are not in dispute, our review of the court’s finding of no probable 

cause is de novo. See In re Commitment of Kirst, 2015 IL App (2d) 140532, ¶ 50, 40 N.E.3d 

1215. 

¶ 18 With all probable-cause hearings under the Act, the circuit court’s role is “to 

determine whether the movant has established a plausible account on each of the required 

elements to assure the court that there is a substantial basis for the petition.” (Emphasis in 

original and internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Detention of Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337,

¶ 62, 980 N.E.2d 598. For a respondent to receive an evidentiary hearing under section 65(b)(2) 

of the Act, the court must find a plausible account exists that the respondent is “ ‘no longer a 

sexually violent person.’ ” (Emphasis omitted.) Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337, ¶ 67 (quoting 725 

ILCS 207/65(b)(2) (West 2008)). Thus, a respondent is only entitled to an evidentiary hearing if 

plausible evidence shows the respondent (1) no longer suffers from a mental disorder or (2) is no 

longer dangerous to others because his or her mental disorder no longer creates a substantial 

probability he or she will engage in acts of sexual violence. Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337, ¶ 68 

(quoting 725 ILCS 207/5(f), 15 (West 2008)). Under the Act, “substantially probable” means 

“much more likely than not.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Commitment of Curtner, 

2012 IL App (4th) 110820, ¶ 37, 972 N.E.2d 351; see also In re Detention of Hayes, 321 Ill.

App. 3d 178, 188, 747 N.E.2d 444, 453 (2001).
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¶ 19 In this case, Dr. Nicolai found respondent still suffered from (1) pedophilic 

disorder, nonexclusive type, sexually attracted to both; (2) alcohol use disorder, in sustained 

remission, in a controlled environment; and (3) antisocial personality disorder. Both risk 

assessments placed respondent in the above average risk category for reoffending, and Dr. 

Nicolai found nine empirical risk factors increased respondent’s risk to reoffend. Moreover, Dr. 

Nicolai found no protective factors applied to respondent. The aforementioned evidence 

indicates respondent still suffered from mental disorders and was dangerous to others because his 

mental disorders created a substantial probability he would engage in acts of sexual violence.

¶ 20 Respondent questions Dr. Nicolai’s actuarial approach to determining risk of 

reoffending. He notes the actuarial instruments only consider static factors that will never 

change. However, as respondent notes, Dr. Nicolai recognizes the limitations on the instruments 

in her report. Thus, Dr. Nicolai also looked at “other empirical risk factors.” As to the empirical 

factors, respondent argues Dr. Nicolai did not explain why each factor applies to respondent. A 

full reading of the report provides support for all of the factors she found. Moreover, the factors 

are similar to the ones found in prior reexamination reports. Regarding sexual deviant interest, 

respondent notes his most recent penile plethysmograph showed significant arousal for the adult 

female persuasive segment, which was considered normal. However, he has a long history of 

sex offenses against young girls. Thus, we do not find her conclusion respondent had a deviant 

sexual interest was incorrect. As to the antisocial personality disorder, Dr. Nicolai’s report 

explains how respondent’s pedophilic disorder when combined with antisocial personality 

disorder increases his predisposition to engage in acts of sexual violence. Moreover, respondent 

challenges the substance abuse factor because he has been in custody for many years without 

access to alcohol or drugs. We note the fact respondent is still diagnosed with an alcohol use 
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disorder shows his past usage still matters in assessing risk of recidivism. Accordingly, we 

disagree with respondent major flaws exist in Dr. Nicolai’s reliance on the empirical risk factors.

¶ 21 Respondent also claims his age is a protective factor. Dr. Nicolai notes 

respondent’s age is taken into consideration in the actuarial instruments and thus does not need 

to be considered separately in analyzing respondent’s risk of recidivism. She explained the 

actuarial instruments used have incorporated a risk reduction into the weighted age at release 

item, which is reflected in respondent’s overall total scores. Dr. Nicolai further noted age at 

release has not been demonstrated to be an unequivocally protective factor. Thus, we disagree 

with respondent Dr. Nicolai erred by not finding his age was a protective factor.

¶ 22 Moreover, respondent notes the progress he made in treatment. While respondent

made some improvement in areas of concern, he had been in phase II since 2006 and had only 

attended the disclosure group portion of phase II for less than 60 days before being placed in the 

program for residents who are inconsistent with their treatment involvement. Respondent 

himself recognized he had more work to do before returning to the disclosure group and his 

treatment goal was to return to the disclosure group. Respondent was still not even close to 

completing phase II after 15 years in that phase. Respondent also continued to commit major 

rule violations. 

¶ 23 Last, in support of his argument, respondent cites the case of In re Commitment of 

Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 140359, ¶ 1, 48 N.E.3d 277, where the reviewing court reversed the 

circuit court’s order finding no probable cause existed to warrant an evidentiary hearing to 

determine if the respondent was still sexually dangerous. In Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 

140359, ¶ 39, while the 61-year-old respondent was still in phase II, he attended five group 

sessions three days per week and had successfully completed “mindfulness, maintaining healthy 
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interpersonal relationships, thinking errors, decision-making, and confronting his personal 

history and his history of offending.” The facts showed the respondent’s commitment to his 

treatment program, which was a change in his attitude from his initial refusal to engage in 

treatment. Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 140359, ¶ 43. The reviewing court also noted the data 

provided by the independent examiner showing sexual behaviors are reduced in men over their 

lifespan and sexual arousal reduces with age, thus making older males less likely to reoffend 

with age. Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 140359, ¶ 45. Last, the State’s examiner rated respondent 

as moderate to high risk on the Static-99R and low risk on the Static-2002R, and the independent 

examiner rated the respondent as a moderate risk on the Static-99R. Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 

140359, ¶ 47. The reviewing court concluded the evidence set forth a plausible account that both

the respondent and the professional understanding of pedophilia had changed such that a 

substantial probability no longer existed that respondent was a sexually violent person and likely 

to reoffend. Wilcoxen, 2016 IL App (3d) 140359, ¶ 49. 

¶ 24 Unlike the respondent in Wilcoxen, respondent had been in phase II for 15 years 

and was not currently participating in the disclosure group. Respondent himself recognized he 

still had a little work to complete before returning to the disclosure group. Respondent continued 

to have behavioral issues during the review period. Further, the risk assessments placed 

respondent in the above average category, and respondent exhibited nine empirical risk factors 

for reoffending. Additionally, Dr. Nicolai declined to find respondent’s risk should be reduced 

further based on his age because age is reflected in the actuarial risk assessment instruments she 

used. 

¶ 25 Accordingly, we find the circuit court did not err by finding there was no probable 

cause to warrant an evidentiary hearing.
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¶ 26 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 27 For the reasons stated, we affirm the Morgan County circuit court’s judgment.

¶ 28 Affirmed.