The Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County has determined that, on or about December 6, 2021, the Hon. Raúl Vega allegedly made a statement to another judge, which, if made, would likely be a violation of the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.
At the Committee’s request, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, who convened the committee, has ordered that this matter be referred to the Judicial Inquiry Board.
In recent weeks, the nation has seen a surge in coronavirus cases due, in large part, to the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant. Because of this surge, and following discussions with public health experts and union representatives throughout the pandemic, the Office of the Chief Judge has determined that vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandated for all of its approximately 2,600 employees, with limited exceptions for those who receive accommodations for medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Starting today, the Hon. Judith C. Rice is the new acting presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Division, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. She is the first African-American to hold this position.
“Judge Rice is an excellent judge and has spent many years as a dedicated public servant,” said Judge Evans. “I am confident that she will succeed in this new leadership role as we continue to expand services and access in the Domestic Violence Division.”
On November 23, 2021, the Hinsdale Police Department filed a “DUI Criminal Complaint” against Associate Judge Mohammed M. Ghouse in the Illinois circuit court for DuPage County, alleging that, on November 23, 2021, Judge Ghouse was driving under the influence of alcohol and was driving too fast for conditions or failed to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The Circuit Court of Cook County on Friday celebrated “National Adoption Day” with the adoptions of six children, who officially joined their “forever homes” during a hearing in a courtroom at the Richard J. Daley Center.
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, who gave opening remarks at the adoption finalization hearing, said that adoption day is always a happy day, and that he always sees both smiles and tears on the faces of the children, parents, attorneys, and judges.
The Circuit Court of County will fund a plan that will more than double pay for jurors, improve and expand services for survivors of domestic violence, and increase pay to private attorneys representing indigent persons, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.
Read the full story here: https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/11/10/22772000/veterans-court-rehabilitation-service-members-trauma-judge-michael-hood-quilts-valor-steinberg
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A new $350,000 grant for the University of Chicago’s Veteran Restorative Justice Project will provide aid to the Veterans Treatment Court in the Leighton Criminal Court Building, which helps veterans who have criminal cases, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced on Thursday.
Starting today, the Hon. David Navarro is the new acting presiding judge of the Pretrial Division, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.
Judge Navarro, who had previously served as supervising judge of the division, was first appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in May 2017 and was elected in November 2018.
“Judge Navarro has shown tremendous dedication and skill in his years in the Pretrial Division, including as a supervising judge, and I am confident that he will succeed in this new leadership role,” said Judge Evans.
The Skokie Veterans Treatment Court, a problem-solving court in the Circuit Court of Cook County, will have its first in-person graduation ceremony since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday. The ceremony will be held at 2:15 p.m. on October 22 in room 201 of the courthouse, which is located at 5600 Old Orchard Road. The media is welcome to attend the ceremony, which takes place less than three weeks before Veterans Day.
