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Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Joanne Rosado as a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Subcircuit of Cook County.
Ms. Rosado was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Kathleen Kennedy.
The appointment takes effect January 20, 2016 and will terminate on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.
Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Cecilia A. Horan as an at-large Cook County Circuit Judge.
Ms. Horan was appointed to fill the position held by the Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, who is retiring from judicial office on Jan. 17, 2017.
The appointment takes effect January 19, 2016 and will terminate on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.
The vacancy is created by the retirement of the Hon. Thomas Davy.
Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make recommendations to the Supreme Court after applicants undergo a screening and evaluation process.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Second Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.
The vacancy will be created by the upcoming retirement of the Hon. Camille E. Willis, effective January 29, 2017.
Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court after applicants undergo a screening and evaluation process.
Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Patrick T. Stanton as a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 3rd Subcircuit.
Mr. Stanton was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Maureen Delehanty.
The appointment takes effect Jan. 1, 2017 and will conclude on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.
The Circuit Court of Cook County is alerting the public that effective April 2, 2016, the Cook County Department of Facilities Management will no longer provide storage lockers for the public to store banned items at courthouses. This includes the Leighton Criminal Court Building, at 26th Street and California Avenue, where smartphones have been banned for the past 3 years.
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans was notified by the Cook County Department of Facilities Management that, due to security and staffing concerns, it will remove all storage lockers that it had installed at courthouses as a service for the public to safely store banned items while they conduct court business.
“It is critical that the message gets out that there will no longer be lockers available beginning April 2 at any of the courthouses,” said Chief Judge Evans. “At the Leighton Criminal Court Building, my particular concern is that people who are relying on the county’s storage lockers won’t be able to clear security and will miss court if they bring a smartphone.”
People who miss court could be subjected to bail forfeitures, be held in contempt of court or have warrants issued for their arrest. Family and friends of defendants and victims could also miss court hearings, and subpoenaed witnesses would be subject to being held in contempt of court and possible civil liability to the party issuing the subpoena.
The Sheriff has banned approximately two dozen items from all Cook County courthouses, and the list includes items such as knives, mace spray, cameras and recording devices.
A task force of principal stakeholders summoned by the Illinois Supreme Court will be visiting Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland next week to study firsthand pretrial release and detention procedures in those courts as a way to enhance the administration of justice in Cook County and Illinois. The site visit is being coordinated with the assistance of the Washington-based Pretrial Justice Institute.
Those scheduled to make the trip are Cook County State’s Atty. Anita Alvarez; Clerk Dorothy Brown of the Cook County Circuit Court; Cook County Public Defender A.C. Cunningham; Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans of Cook County Circuit Court; President Toni Preckwinkle of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County; Ret. Chief Justice Ben K. Miller of the Illinois Supreme Court; Ret. U.S. District Court Judge David Coar; and Director Michael Tardy of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
Those principals, as well as Sheriff Tom Dart of Cook County, were assembled by the Supreme Court last November for a continuing discussion on the systemic management of criminal pretrial matters, focusing on strategies to improve the effective administration of justice in Cook County and throughout Illinois.
Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today entered General Administrative Order No. 2014-06 which permits persons present at court proceedings conducted in courtrooms of the Circuit Court of Cook County to take written notes while court is in session.
“I firmly believe that the integrity of our courts depends on increasing, not limiting, public access in the courtroom, whether that access is allowing the media to film proceedings or allowing people to simply write down what they see and hear,” said Chief Judge Evans. “Every time integrity is embraced, justice is enhanced.”
The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices in the courtrooms of the Circuit Court of Cook County is prohibited and may not be used to take notes unless otherwise expressly permitted by the judge presiding.
General Administrative Order No. 2014-06 is attached.
The Illinois Supreme Court is appreciative of the attendance today of key stakeholders of Cook County and the Cook County justice system for substantive discussions on how we might all work together to enhance the administration of justice.
The Court also is grateful for the presence of Chief Judge Eric T. Washington of the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals, and Tim Murray, executive director of the Pretrial Justice Institute, for helping to facilitate this morning's discussion. Finally, the Court thanks Retired Illinois Chief Justice Ben K. Miller and Retired U.S. District Court Judge David H. Coar for their attendance and for their willingness to ensure that all of us move forward toward a common goal.
Statement from Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans Circuit Court of Cook County
“A new court order enforcing the ban of electronic communication and Internet devices inside the Circuit Court of Cook County goes into effect Monday, January 14, 2013. The attached General Administrative Order No. 2013-01 prohibits electronic communication and Internet devices inside courthouse facilities except for a new specified list of persons outlined in the order. The order is being enacted to provide safety within the courts, prevent pictures being taken with electronic devices and help to protect innocent individuals and those testifying in court.
“According to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, more than 8,000 cases are on call for next week. That is an example of the magnitude of our court system and how important it is to enact stringent safety measures.
“The order will be introduced during a three-month grace period ending on Monday, April 15, 2013. During the grace period, the Circuit Court of Cook County will work with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department to remind people entering a courthouse, communication devices are prohibited. It will be strongly suggested devices remain in the car.
“In an effort to aid those taking public transportation to various courthouses, the Circuit Court of Cook County is assigning a person to work with Cook County’s real estate and facilities department heads to quickly find a solution for storage of said devices – a claim check system or providing locker facilities as examples.