2002 News Archive

The Circuit Court of Cook County began hosting its annual prom season driving safety programs with the "Drive Wise…Stay Alive" Senior Symposium held on April 17, 2002, at Proviso East High School in Maywood. Approximately 450 seniors attended the symposium designed to help teens make appropriate decisions when faced with the choice to drive when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced the Chicago Bar Association and the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening have advised him that they have opted to not conduct joint evaluations for the current associate judge selection process.

The Circuit Court of Cook County today presented the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program to a group of seniors at the Central West Regional Center of Chicago's Department on Aging. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today awarded the Circuit Court of Cook County a $232,034 grant to enhance available substance abuse treatment and related ancillary services for minors referred to juvenile court. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced the appointment of Circuit Judge Edmund Ponce de Leon as Presiding Judge of the west suburban Fourth Municipal District effective immediately. Judge Ponce de Leon succeeds Judge Themis N. Karnezis who was assigned to the Appellate Court. Judge Ponce de Leon is the first Hispanic American appointed a presiding judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today released the names of 237 attorneys who have submitted applications to fill seven vacant associate judge positions in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The Circuit Court of Cook County today presented the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program to a group of seniors at North Stickney Township offices. 

In explaining the purpose of the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said, "The judges of the Circuit Court want senior citizens to be aware of the connection between medical problems and the ability to drive safely. This excellent public awareness program helps bring the latest information to our seniors to help them continue to practice traffic safety." 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced that the court has initiated a public awareness campaign involving more than 50 local churches to highlight the use of child safety seats. The campaign was launched Tuesday, February 12, 2002, at a free child safety seat check coordinated by the Illinois Department of Transportation at the Apostolic Church of God, located at 6320 S. Dorchester in Chicago's Woodlawn community. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced the Annual Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours will be held on February 13, 14, and 15, 2002, at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street in Chicago. Joining the Circuit Court of Cook County in cosponsoring the tours are the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., the Cook County Bar Association, and the Illinois Judicial Council. 

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced two new presiding judge appointments and a host of reassignments. Judge William D. Maddux, appointed Acting Presiding Judge of the Law Division shortly after the Chief Judge Evans's election in September 2001, has been appointed Presiding Judge of that division. Judge Dorothy Kirie Kinnaird, a judge in the Chancery Division, has been appointed Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division, succeeding former Judge Albert Green who served as Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division until his retirement on October 31, 2001.