News Room

Announcement, In the News |

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans joined Fox 32's Paris Schutz to discuss the transition of the county's electronic monitoring program to the Office of the Chief Judge. The discussion begins at the 20:48 mark.

https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1620049

Announcement, In the News |

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans discusses the strengths of the Adult Probation Department's Electronic Monitoring Program, which transitioned on April 1, with Brandis Friedman, of WTTW News.

https://news.wttw.com/2025/04/02/chief-judge-s-office-takes-over-electronic-monitoring-cook-county-amid-staffing-concerns

Announcement, Press Release |

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, along with other judges and staff at the Criminal Courthouse, hosted the United Kingdom’s Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC on Tuesday to share details regarding the Court’s innovative Problem-Solving Courts and Restorative Justice programs.

Both of these court programs help to divert those convicted of non-violent felonies into programs that give participants a second chance and help them to work on the problems that led them into the criminal justice system.

Announcement, Press Release |

Starting on Tuesday, April 1, the Cook County Sheriff will stop accepting new Electronic Monitoring (“EM”) participants and all new court orders to EM will be sent to the Adult Probation Department Pretrial Services (“APD”). Operating under the Office of the Chief Judge (“OCJ”), APD has a long history running its EM program and will continue to operate the program based on the procedures it has developed over the past fourteen years.

In advance of this transition, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans issued the following statement:

Announcement, In the News |

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.

Announcement, In the News |

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

Announcement, In the News |

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

Announcement, In the News |

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."

Announcement, In the News |

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