The Bridgeview Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts celebrated the commencement of five participants Monday.
Three Drug Court participants, one Veterans Treatment Court participant and one Mental Health Court participant were honored by court employees with certificates, gifts and applause during a ceremony led by the Hon. Kathaleen T. Lanahan, who is the judge for the Fifth Municipal District Problem-Solving Courts.
Due to the extremely cold temperatures predicted for Friday, January 23, which may adversely impact the health and safety of court personnel and litigants, the Circuit Court of Cook County will be closed. The Skokie, Maywood and Markham courthouses will be open as warming centers.
The Pretrial Division will operate first appearance court, including newly charged domestic violence cases, on the holiday and weekend schedule. Juveniles who are in custody and scheduled for initial appearances or detention hearings will appear remotely.
The Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County is refunding overpayments of fees for court-ordered probation, supervision and community services.
As part of the new administration’s ongoing operational review of its non-judicial departments, a technical issue was identified in the Probation Department’s case management system that had prevented certain refunds for overpayments from being generated. The issue, which affected a limited number of cases, has been fully corrected and refund checks have been issued.
WTTW Chicago's Matt Masterson's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's first month leading the judiciary:
In the month since he was sworn in to lead the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II has moved quickly to establish clearer lines of accountability, improve communication and transparency, and strengthen court operations.
Cook County officials today announced the completion of a comprehensive courthouse wireless connectivity project that concluded in November, significantly improving Wi-Fi signal strength and reliability across courthouse facilities countywide.
As part of the project, crews installed approximately 1,000 wireless access points to eliminate dead zones and strengthen wireless coverage throughout court buildings.
Following months of intensive work by the Juvenile Transition Committee and its affiliated workgroups, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced a series of actions designed to modernize and humanize the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Juvenile Justice System.
During a meeting with committee members last week, Chief Judge Beach thanked the workgroups for their extensive analysis and recommendations, noting that juvenile justice reform remains a top priority for his new administration.
Cook County Courthouse warming centers open during cold weather.
Cook County Courthouse Warming Centers Open Amid Dangerous Wind Chills
The Children’s Room in the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse will reopen Monday, Dec. 15.
The Cook County Circuit Court’s Children’s Room program provides free, on-site child care for children whose parents or guardians must attend court. The program offers a safe, supervised space that allows adults to focus on their court matters knowing their children are nearby and well cared for.
Judges from the Circuit Court of Cook County are once again joining community partners to support children and families in need this holiday season.
