News Archive

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today appointed Honorable Daniel B. Malone to serve as the Acting Presiding Judge of the court’s Probate Division. The appointment is effective today. 

Judge Malone became a circuit judge in 2009. He initially served in the First Municipal District and has served in the Probate Division since 2013. In the Probate Division, he has heard cases involving decedent’s estates and guardianship matters involving minors and individuals with disabilities.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today released a report that reviews the initial results of his order that established new bail practices in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Chief Judge Evans’ General Order 18.8A took effect on September 18, 2017. The report compares outcomes in two 15-month time periods before and after the order’s effective date: (1) July 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 and (2) October 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.

The report shows that the increased release of defendants from jail did not increase the threat to public safety in Cook County.

To ensure that nobody is placed in danger while traveling to and from court due to the anticipated historic cold temperatures for our area, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today that the Circuit Court of Cook County will be closed on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 and Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The Circuit Court of Cook County opened an Adult Drug Treatment Court today at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, ensuring that problem-solving courts are available to nonviolent felony defendants throughout the entire system.

In advance of the Illinois bicentennial celebration on December 3, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will unveil a portrait of Abraham Lincoln that will be displayed in the Jury Assembly Room of the Richard J. Daley Center.    

The Circuit Court and Cook County have finalized the scheduled closing of two Chicago branch court locations – 155 W. 51^st St. and 2452 W. Belmont Ave.  – to take effect after court concludes on January 4, 2019.

The two branch court closings, which were finalized as part of the budget litigation settlement between the county and the court, will help the county avoid $9.2 million in repairs, renovations and maintenance that would be necessary to keep the two buildings safe, operational and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Pursuant to action taken Monday by the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Circuit Judge William H. Hooks has been referred to anger-management counseling while he performs administrative duties until further notice. 

The committee is aware that Judge Hooks is accused of acting in such a manner that created a hostile work environment for another judge. The alleged conduct did not occur inside a courtroom. Judge Hooks expressed contrition to the Executive Committee regarding the matter. The committee referred the matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board. 

Pursuant to action taken Wednesday by the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Circuit Judge Mauricio Araujo and Associate Judge Richard D. Schwind have been reassigned to administrative duties. The assignments are effective until further notice. 

The Executive Committee’s decision on the reassignments followed a meeting of the Circuit Court of Cook County Executive Committee convened by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. 

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans’ creation of a Pretrial Division and his entering of General Order 18.8A on bail and pretrial release in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The Circuit Court has processed and validated nine months of administrative data to present the following facts:

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today appointed Honorable Raul Vega to serve as the Acting Presiding Judge of the court’s Domestic Violence Division. The appointment is effective September 4, 2018.

Judge Vega was elected a circuit judge in 2002. He initially served in the First Municipal District and has served in the Domestic Relations Division since June 2003. He has heard just about every type of domestic relations matter, such as divorces, child-custody disputes and requests for orders of protection.