News Archive

Four Circuit Court of Cook County judges have volunteered to conduct up to 50 weddings for a closed-street celebration on Michigan Avenue at the Wrigley Building on Sunday, September 26. 

The event, called “Marriages on the Mile – Weddings at Wrigley,” is part of The Magnificent Mile Association’s larger “Meet Me on the Mile” program for Sunday, which will include other activities throughout the day. Scheduled wedding ceremonies will take place between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. outdoors beneath the Wrigley Building Bridge at 410 N. Michigan Avenue. 

Note: This is an update to a previous press release

Highly offensive documents, falsely claiming to be orders from various current or retired Circuit Court of Cook County judges, are being circulated by some person or group, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said on Wednesday. The documents are forgeries, and the Office of the Chief Judge finds the content appalling. The documents appear to be intended as a means of intimidating the recipients and others.

The documents use the names of several sitting and retired judges out of the Skokie Courthouse.

Highly offensive documents, falsely claiming to be orders from various current or retired Circuit Court of Cook County judges, are being circulated by some person or group, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said on Wednesday. The documents are forgeries, and the Office of the Chief Judge finds the content appalling. The documents appear to be intended as a means of intimidating the recipients and others. 

The Office of the Chief Judge is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities to discover who is circulating these fraudulent and disturbing documents.

In order to better serve victims of domestic violence, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has issued an order allowing all proceedings to go forward by videoconference or teleconference, except for contested hearings. 

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and the Nominating Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County today announced the names of the 44 candidates selected to appear on the ballot from which circuit judges will vote to fill 22 associate judge vacancies.

Responding to the need to protect the health and safety of victims of domestic violence, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans on Monday announced efforts by the Circuit Court of Cook County to enable 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access for “emergency petitions.” 

The Circuit Court of Cook County is making dozens of courtrooms available for jury and bench trials, which will speed up resolution of cases that have been delayed due to pandemic-related restrictions, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today. The expanded reopening of the criminal courts has been made possible by new health guidance regarding the pandemic. 

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today praised the signing of SB 64, a bill designed to promote restorative justice practices, which offer an alternative to incarceration and can help break the cycle of criminal behavior. 

“I thank the governor and our lawmakers in Springfield for this legislation, which promotes something that we know can help break the cycle of criminal behavior and help people become productive members of their communities,” said Judge Evans, who was present for the signing. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced the appointment of the Honorable Kerry M. Kennedy as the new acting presiding judge of the Fifth Municipal District in Bridgeview. 

“Judge Kennedy has shown great dedication and knowledge in his years as a judge in the Fifth Municipal District, and I am confident that he will succeed in his new leadership role,” said Judge Evans.

In recent weeks, in response to tragic incidents of violence in Cook County, some public officials have criticized the courts, and, in particular, judicial decisions to impose electronic monitoring on some defendants rather than incarcerate them in Cook County Jail while they await trial.