Announcement, Press Release |
The Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County has considered the circumstances under which the Hon. Peggy Chiampas, an associate judge in the Criminal Division, entered an order restricting a person’s presence in the courthouse for possessing a cellphone in a courtroom.
Following Monday’s continuation of the Aug. 16 meeting of the Executive Committee, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said Judge Chiampas will participate in additional training and mentoring regarding the enforcement of administrative orders governing the use of cellphones and other electronic devices in courtrooms. The training will be under the supervision of the Hon. Erica L. Reddick, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division.
The Committee also directed that General Administrative Order 2013-05 (eff. June 27, 2024) be changed to further clarify the court’s policy regarding use and possession of electronic devices by visitors in courthouses and that updated training materials on the policy and enforcement of administrative orders be provided to all judges. The updated order will take effect at the end of business today and will be updated on the court’s website.
“The Circuit Court is committed to ensuring our courtrooms operate in accordance with the law and we will continue to update our policies, orders and trainings as needed to best serve Cook County,” Judge Evans said.
Under the new order, members of the news media will be able to use electronic devices to take notes and to communicate through texting and email with colleagues outside of court while court is in session in all courthouses.
The Executive Committee is composed of the Circuit Court’s presiding judges.
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