PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans

Released On 12/23/2009

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today released a letter he sent to Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart denying the Sheriff’s proposal to shorten hours at suburban courthouses during the week and close weekend bond courts in four suburban locations.

In his letter, Chief Judge Evans noted Dart’s proposals raise “serious issues of public safety, due process and court administration.” He added, “I would ask that, rather than reduce the times and places that court is in session, you pursue other remedies to assist your office that do not infringe on the administration of justice.”

Article Six of the Illinois Constitution gives the Chief Judge the sole authority to set “appropriate times and places of holding court.”

Evans acknowledged Dart is facing budgetary constraints and indicated he is willing to meet with him to discuss how Dart can comply with his statutory duty to staff each session of court and maintain the access to court facilities that is so important to public safety.