PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cook County Judges Join in Statewide Effort to Collect School Supplies for Children in Need

Released On 08/01/2022

Circuit Court of Cook County judges have joined in a statewide initiative sponsored by the Illinois Conference of Chief Judges and the Illinois Judges Association to help local schools, students, and community organizations prepare for success in the 2022-23 academic year by collecting school supplies, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. 

The school supplies collected in the Circuit Court of Cook County will be donated to the young people who attend Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative High School, which serves the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. 

“We are proud to support this effort by IJA and Illinois Conference of Chief Judges to help disadvantaged children across the state have a great school year,” said Judge Evans. “Our Traffic Division has for years conducted its own school supply drive, but this year the drive is being held through the entire Circuit Court of Cook County and other courts around the state, which is a great development for our school children.” 

“The Illinois Judges Association and the Conference of Chief Judges are proud of the active judges in this state and their commitment to their communities,” said IJA President Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke. “We see firsthand what happens with students who are not supported in their schools. The approximately 1,250 active and retired members of the Illinois Judges Association already provide many in-schools programs from reading to students through civics education. It was a logical extension to join with the Chief Judges for the entire state to help provide needed supplies for the school year.” 

The Hon. Diann Marsalek, the presiding judge of the Traffic Division, said that every presiding judge has donation boxes in their offices this summer, with a list of needed supplies. “It’s pens, pencils, papers, backpacks, folders, highlighters, notebooks, and gym shoes,” said Judge Marsalek. The judges will fill up backpacks with supplies collected from courthouses around the county. 

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Judge Marsalek. “It’s always good to give back to the children. And I think it’s great that it’s a united force.” 

The supplies will go to the Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative High School on August 8, 2022. 
 

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