Judge Vega appointed Acting Presiding Judge of Domestic Violence Division

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today appointed Honorable Raul Vega to serve as the Acting Presiding Judge of the court’s Domestic Violence Division. The appointment is effective September 4, 2018.

Judge Vega was elected a circuit judge in 2002. He initially served in the First Municipal District and has served in the Domestic Relations Division since June 2003. He has heard just about every type of domestic relations matter, such as divorces, child-custody disputes and requests for orders of protection.

“In 15 years presiding over domestic relations matters, Judge Vega has developed a broad base of knowledge and insight about the law. That experience, along with his commitment to justice and fairness, will serve him well in his new role leading the Domestic Violence Division,” Chief Judge Evans said.

As Presiding Judge, Vega will oversee the judges, administrative support staff and all court operations in the courthouse at 555 W. Harrison St.

Prior to joining the bench, Judge Vega practiced law in Chicago as a general practitioner who handled civil litigation and matters in the following areas of law: elections, real estate, family, bankruptcy, federal taxation, criminal, probate and appellate matters. He received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1982 and earned a B.A. in economics and accounting from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL in 1979.

Judge Vega succeeds Domestic Violence Division Presiding Judge Sebastian T. Patti, who has informed the court that he has accepted a position as a federal immigration judge in Los Angeles, effective September 4, 2018.

“I want to thank Judge Patti for his many years of service to the public and demonstrating how one can lead while also maintaining civility and professionalism,” Chief Judge Evans said. “Judge Patti truly cares about the people who come to court seeking justice and those who work in the system every day. We will miss Judge Patti, and I wish him well in his new assignment.”

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