News Room

University of Illinois Chicago Law School Professors Michael P. Seng, Stephen Schlegel and student Christine Drew penned a guest editorial in Thursday's Chicago Sun-Times, citing the importance or resolving nonviolent gun cases in our Restorative Justice Community Courts.

Restorative Justice Practitioner Audrey Dunford was quoted in this New York Times article regarding her role in Stick Talk.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/gun-violence-deaths-harm-reduction.html?unlocked_article_code=1.5U4.35xJ.DoXlZvJDNk9N&smid=url-share

The Chicago Tribune shares this exclusive story about our Family Navigators, who assist family members with everything they need to know about our court process and guiding their family members and loved ones through it.

‘Family navigators’ seek to reduce obstacles, increase support for youth, families in juvenile courts

Judge Patricia Spratt joins WGN Radio's Karen Conti to discuss the WTTW documentary "Firsthand: Peacekeepers!" Spratt, who presides over the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court, is featured in the documentary. Judge Spratt details the process and the criteria for those participating in the program.

How restorative justice is changing young people’s lives | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own

Judge Patricia Spratt spends most of her week in a traditional courtroom in Maywood. But every Thursday, she turns her attention to healing and reconciliation in North Lawndale, where she leads the neighborhood’s Restorative Justice Community Court. Her role is to transform young lives through restorative justice. The goal is to heal victims, the community, and the offenders themselves.

WTTW Documentaries highlights her work in this installment of "Firsthand Peacekeepers."

The Hon. Patricia Spratt, who presides over the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court, joined WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the importance of the RJCC in the community. Full episode linked below.

Chicago Tonight | Feb. 17, 2025 - Full Show | Season 2025 | PBS

CBS attended some of the Valentine's Day weddings conducted by Cook County judges on Friday.

From tableside dinner at White Castle to City Hall weddings, Chicago celebrates love on Valentine's Day - CBS Chicago

Photos: Valentine’s Day weddings at City Hall – Chicago Tribune

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced a pilot project that will combine cases involving mental health treatment and guardianship before a single judge, thus providing more clarity and support for respondents and their families. 

The New York Times included the Circuit Court of Cook County and the weddings our judges performed on Valentine's Day, in their Valentine's Day coverage. 

‘Joyful Chaos’: Couples Flock to Courthouses to Wed on Valentine’s Day - The New York Times

For the first time since 2020, and 2014 before that, Valentine’s Day lands on a Friday, which also happens to be the most popular day for courthouse weddings. 

Judge Diann Marsalek, who presides over marriage court, is predicting a higher-than-usual profusion of lace and flowers next Friday in addition to the typical pink and red decorations.

Marsalek said Friday is typically the busiest wedding day because couples can celebrate over the weekend. On the court’s busiest days, judges can marry between 200 and 250 couples.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has appointed the Hon. Andrea M. Buford to serve as Acting Presiding Judge of the Child Protection Division.

Judge Buford replaces Presiding Judge Robert Balanoff, who retired on Thursday, January 30th.

“Judge Buford has a great deal of experience in this highly sensitive and vital division of the Cook County Circuit Court,” said Judge Evans. “She is known for her compassion, knowledge and hard work, and I am sure she will do an excellent job in her new position.”

Two state agencies with authority over Illinois juvenile detention center operations have given the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) exemplary reviews in separate reports issued in recent weeks.

The Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County is expected to resume on schedule Friday morning, Jan. 24., following an investigation into a threat made to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Due to the extremely cold weather predicted for Tuesday, January 21 that may adversely impact the health and safety of court personnel and litigants, the Circuit Court of Cook County is encouraging participants to attend court remotely, if possible, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

“The Office of the Chief Judge has completed a review of the circumstances surrounding Lacramioara Beldie’s tragic death on Nov. 19. Our office has gathered transcripts and court records from the civil and criminal proceedings against the accused, Constantin Beldie. The decision by the Court not to detain Beldie on Oct.

Cook County court documents should be more accessible this year, thanks to a $17,000 Disability Accessibility Improvement grant awarded by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.

ABC 7's Leah Hope covered Monday's swearing in of 40 new Cook County judges.

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans speaking out on domestic violence cases as 40 new judges sworn in - ABC7 Chicago

CBS 2 coverage of Adoption Day 2024

Ten children join forever families as Cook County celebrates National Adoption Day - CBS Chicago

ABC 7 coverage of Adoption Day 2024

10 children have adoptions made official in Cook County court at Daley Center in Chicago in honor of National Adoption Day 2024 - ABC7 Chicago

NBC 5 coverage of Adoption Day 2024

Children welcomed into new families on National Adoption Day – NBC Chicago

WGN TV coverage of Adoption Day 2024

10 Chicago kids join forever families in National Adoption Day-eve ceremony | WGN-TV

From the pages of the Cook County Chronicle:

Court-program participants given second chance - Chronicle Media

Ten children will be joined to eight loving families on Friday at a National Adoption Day ceremony hosted at the Daley Center courthouse.

Injustice Watch explores how the order entitles tenants to quickly receive information about whether their landlords are being sued for building code violations.

Cook County Chief Judge issues eviction court reform order | Injustice Watch

In January, Tyshun Rule was behind the wheel of his car, hands trembling, during a traffic stop in which officers found a loaded gun. Rule owned the gun legally but is alleged to have committed a concealed carry violation. An aggravated unlawful use of a weapon conviction likely meant prison time for the 28-year-old.

The Cook County Circuit Court’s Second Municipal District Court in Skokie is hosting a ceremony on November 8 – three days before Veterans Day – for graduates of its Veterans Treatment Court.

The Polish Daily News joined us for Friday's Restorative Justice Community Court graduation ceremony. Read their account here:

https://www.dziennikzwiazkowy.com/artykul/123599,wasza-sprawa-zostaje-o…

When the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court graduated its record 26 participants earlier today, it did so with the help of dozens of community volunteers who are the heart and soul of these local initiatives.

The Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court on Friday will host the largest graduation ceremony in the court’s four-year history. The 26 graduates will then have their non-violent cases dismissed and their records eventually expunged in recognition of this accomplishment.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Resurrection Hall of St. Hyacinth Basilica, 3636 West Wolfram Street in Chicago. Members of the media and public are welcome to attend.