News Room

At the request of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the City of Chicago, the Circuit Court of Cook County has made extensive preparations to handle an increased number of court proceedings in the event of multiple arrests during the period surrounding the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which is being held in Chicago August 19-22, said Chief Judge Timothy C.

Cook County Chief Circuit Judge Timothy Evans pledged Monday to more than double the county's so-called second-chance courts this year, praising their results so far in cutting recidivism by diverting young-offender prosecutions in favor of personal rehabilitation.

The Chicago Tribune covered the opening of the first restorative justice community court in the south suburbs at Sauk Village.

Cook County opens restorative justice court in Sauk Village (chicagotribune.com)

ABC covered the recent opening of Sauk Village's Restorative Justice Community Court, the first restorative justice court in the suburbs.

1st suburban Cook County Restorative Justice Court opens in Sauk Village, following Chicago's lead; more expected - ABC7 Chicago

The Circuit Court of Cook County, following up on the recent successes of the Restorative Justice Community Courts in North Lawndale, Avondale and Englewood, is poised to open its newest location in south suburban Sauk Village.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will host a grand opening celebration of the new court at 11 a.m. Monday, July 15 at the Sauk Village Community Center, 2700 Kalvelage Dr. in Sauk Village. The celebration is open to the community and media.

Block Club Chicago covered the most recent Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court graduation ceremony, where 64 program graduates were recognized.

Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court Graduates Largest Class In 4 Years (blockclubchicago.org)

It's graduation day in Englewood for a group of people getting a second chance because they were convicted of felonies, but their records are about to be cleared. Englewood's Restorative Justice Community Court graduates 64 participants.

Graduation day for Restorative Justice Community Court Program - CBS Chicago (cbsnews.com)

Following a tough couple of years which included the loss of his infant son and getting in trouble with the law, 24-year-old Byron Upton sees his graduation from the Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court as a “reset” for his life.

“I had to go through a lot of distancing from the negativity in my life,” said Upton, who will be one of 64 graduates honored at a Wednesday ceremony for the South Side program. “Before the court began, I was going through something. I took the reset God gave me.”

Below is a statement from Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans regarding the death of Commissioner Deer:

Two adult drug treatment courts operating in the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Criminal Division have been awarded Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) funding, totaling more than $1 million for the upcoming state fiscal year. The courts, which hear felony cases at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, help people with low-level criminal offenses overcome drug problems and avoid future problems with the law.