News Room

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.”

As reported in the Daily Herald: Cook County juvenile detention center given high marks

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.