News Room

Representatives of retail and other merchant associations expressed surprise and satisfaction at the high conviction rate for those charged with retail theft/smash and grab crimes in Cook County, following a meeting last month with Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The Rehabilitative Alternative Probation and Women’s Rehabilitative Alternative Probation ((W)RAP) Drug Court Program has been named one of just 10 national mentor treatment courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the U.S. Department of Justice. The program will receive an award marking the distinction on May 19, 2022, at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building.

The mandate that all persons using Circuit Court of Cook County facilities must wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The decision was made in consultation with Dr. Rachel Rubin, M.D., senior medical officer and co-lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health. “She informed my staff that our local community transmission rate remains substantial, and strongly recommends we continue our mask mandate until levels reach moderate or low,” Judge Evans said.

Due to predictions of significant snowfall in Cook County, Chief Judge Timothy C.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today posted a notice of ten vacancies for the office of associate judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.

The Hon. Sophia H. Hall has been appointed interim acting presiding judge of the Chancery Division. Judge Hall fills the role left by the recent retirement of the Hon. Moshe Jacobius, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

 Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today the retirement of the Hon. Moshe Jacobius after more than 30 years on the bench, including 11 years as presiding judge of the Chancery Division. 

“I wish Judge Jacobius well in his retirement,” said Judge Evans. “We will miss his keen intelligence, competence, kindness, steadiness, and always thoughtful approach to justice, and we applaud him for his many years of service to the citizens of Illinois.” 

The Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County has determined that the Hon. Judge William B. Raines must receive sensitivity training and gender bias counseling following comments he made to courtroom personnel earlier this month. 

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans responded Tuesday to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s request for a moratorium on use of electronic monitoring for defendants accused of certain violent crimes by pointing out the national and state constitutional issues raised by imprisoning people before they are convicted of anything. The chief judge also noted multiple problems with the data the mayor provided to back up her request. 

The chief judge also pledged continued cooperation with the mayor and the police superintendent in the interests of promoting public safety. 

A new federal grant will boost three existing suburban court programs that help drug users. 

The Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded $550,000 over four years to the Drug Treatment Courts in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood), the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) and Sixth Municipal District (Markham). The grant will pay for clinical case management for these three south suburban courts.