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PAGE 4 | THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025
CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
Search for new solutions, be creative Timothy C. Evans Chief Judge, Cook County Circuit Court
Pledge to ensure accountability, transparency
Although as a judge I adjudicate disputes among citizens or corporate entities, the rule of law does not mean that judges rule the people. In our indirect democracy we elect our legislators, who craft our laws, and our executive, who enforces our laws. Yet, when it comes to applying the law to the evidence, that is reserved for the people much akin to a direct democracy. Judges collaborated well with juries for nearly 150 years. But the working relationship soured at the turn of the 20th century as landless citizens, freed slaves and women joined the jury pool. The legislature and judges began to criticize juries as too “ passionate ” and “ irrational. ” The jury ’ s power must be “ checked. ” Thus, the U.S. Supreme Court radically curtailed jury power in 1899. Soon thereafter, devices like summary judgment and directed verdict permitted judges to take cases from the jury. We may not be able return to such robust respect for the jury, but our constitutional heritage may still inform our practice. Knowing that these modern innovations arose from skepticism about inclusive jury pools might en- courage judges to hesitate to assume the role traditionally reserved for the jury. Indeed, Illinois disfavors summary judgment and directed verdict, and strongly defers to the jury. A judge ’ s deferential collaboration with the jury keeps faith with our founders ’ dream.
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos Clerk, Circuit Court of Cook County
“ Diversity and inclusion are integral to our mission. ”
“ We are nothing if we are not together. ”
As one of the largest unified court systems in the country, the Cook County Circuit Court plays a crucial role in administering justice. Through the collective efforts of our approximately 400 judges and 2,600 em- ployees, the court has implemented numerous reforms and initiatives aimed at improving fairness, accessibility and efficiency — with our programs often serving as models for other courts. Together, we work to improve access to justice for all. We have taken innovative approaches to justice by expanding problem-solving courts, such as our drug treatment, mental health and veterans ’ courts, as well as establishing restorative justice community courts. These specialized dockets address underlying issues like sub- stance abuse and mental health disorders, thus helping individuals reintegrate into society rather than repeatedly re-enter the criminal justice system. The circuit court has been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform. Our implementation of bail reform in 2017 not only reduced the court ’ s reliance on cash bail but paved the way for the Pretrial Fairness Act, which made Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail completely. These efforts ensure individuals are not unfairly dis- enfranchised due to their socio-economic status. We also have designed creative ways to help litigants navigate difficult situations. One recent example is a program to help those ordered to seek out-patient treatment for mental health and other problems. The program allows cases to be heard in a single court calendar, rather than in separate divisions. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our mission. Our court has worked to ensure that judicial appointments and court staff reflect Cook County ’ s diversity, hiring and promoting talented individuals who are dedicated to building trust and confidence in our communities. Though we are proud of what we ’ ve accomplished, we know our work is not done. We are always searching for new solutions to enhance justice for all. We look to our partners in the private and public bar, other government agencies and the public to continue to help us make our courts work better for everyone. Judges must collaborate with juries Thomas More Donnelly Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the front door to our justice system. It oversees more than 1,400 employees operating in a dozen courthouses across the county, takes the official record of all court hearings and handles the filing of more than 1 million civil and criminal cases a year. As clerk, I am prioritizing diverse and underserved residents who need assistance in navigating the justice system. I pledge to ensure the services are transparent, accountable and accessible. My priority is customer ser- vice. I ’ m eager to show the residents of Cook County a new, improved clerk ’ s office. I am enhancing that experience by creating customer service training for all employees. Additionally, we are working on rolling out an independent inspector general system to make sure employees follow the policies and ethics rules. We are also reviewing ways to improve our technology, increase access to records and instill accountability. We have also launched a customer service survey to hear from the public on what ’ s working and what is not. You can find the survey on our website at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. It is my goal to bring this office into the 21st century to help people access their justice system. The clerk is responsible for making sure that every person who files, appears or steps through the door has equal access and opportunity to be serviced and heard, keeping in mind the diverse communities the office is obligated to serve. While it is the clerk ’ s privilege to do so, it is an ongoing task to improve and expand upon this mission and goal. If the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County fails one citizen, it fails every citizen, because we are nothing if we are not together.
Build on the success of problem-solving courts
Marcia M. Meis Director, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
“ PSCs have transformed how the justice system responds to eligible defendants. ”
If you have ever observed a problem-solving court (PSC) or participated in one as a litigant, you know the benefits of this innovative approach that provides tar- geted assistance for a variety of needs. Currently, Illinois has 122 PSCs consisting of drug courts, mental health courts, veterans ’ courts and DUI courts. Some juris- dictions have a hybrid court that combines two of these types of courts. Drug courts are the most common PSCs in Illinois. In rural areas, some counties work together to create a PSC that provides services to participants in multiple counties. One of the drug courts starting soon is a multi- county effort in Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties in the 10th Judicial Circuit. Pike County in the 8th Judicial Circuit is also forming a drug court. That will bring Illinois ’ total number of PSCs to 124. New PSCs go through a certification process to ensure they are utilizing best practices and following the Supreme Court Problem-Solving Court Standards. The current 122 PSCs are all certified. Initial certification is valid for three years. Courts may then apply to be recertified — con- tinuing a 3-year cycle. Many PSCs have been recertified once, with 14 having been recertified for a second time. Great indicators of success! PSC participants move through a phased system — generally five phases — where defendants work to im- prove their lives through treatment, skill building, re- lationship building and focusing in areas such as em- ployment, education and housing. The program cul- minates in a graduation ceremony where participant successes are celebrated. Under certain circumstances, participants may have their charges vacated and ex- punged. In this way, PSCs reduce recidivism and avoid incarceration — saving money and allowing defendants to contribute to their community. For those local jurisdictions fortunate enough to have them, PSCs have transformed how the justice system responds to eligible defendants. As national leaders in this realm, Illinois courts will continue to build on this success.
Advance the profession, rule of law Weeya B. Young President, Black Women Lawyers ’ Association of Greater Chicago
“ By embracing unity and diversity, bar associations and legal organizations can work together to build a more just and equitable legal system. ”
“ My most important and powerful coworkers are jurors. ”
As president of the Black Women Lawyers ’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), I believe that effective col- laboration among legal organizations is essential to ful- filling the promise of our Constitution: “ Out of many, one. ” The U.S. Constitution envisions a society where diverse voices come together to form a unified whole, and the legal community must reflect this principle in its work. This year, I have prioritized connecting and collaborating with other organizations, including the Cook County Bar Association, Women ’ s Bar Association of Illinois, Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois, The Decalogue Society of Lawyers and
Inspired by John Locke ’ s declaration that in a democracy “ the people shall judge, ” our founders enshrined in the Constitution the right to trial by jury in criminal and civil cases. Thus, my most important and powerful coworkers are jurors. To collaborate with the jury well, I must know my place. Properly understood, the judiciary is bicameral, with the jury constituting the thoughtful and reflective upper house and the judge serving as the legal administrator of the lower house.
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