Circuit Court Informational Guide
Circuit Court Informational Guide
Circuit Court Informational Guide
The Circuit Court of Cook County stands as one of the largest unified court systems in the world. More than 400 judges working within the court's 14 divisions and districts serve the 5.1 million residents of Cook County. To provide the citizens of Cook County with a general understanding of how their judicial system operates, the court has assembled this booklet, An Informational Guide. I hope you will take a few moments to review its contents. The Guide contains broad descriptions of the circuit court's organization, functions and operations as well as a directory of circuit court facilities and government offices. I am pleased to note additional information about the circuit court can also be found on the court's web site, www.cookcountycourt.org . As Chief Judge, I am immensely proud of our court system. The collective efforts of our judges and employees have made the Circuit Court of Cook County a national model of efficiency, innovation and public service. We are committed to always remaining responsive to the needs of those we serve.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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JUVENILE JUSTICE & CHILD PROTECTION DEPARTMENT NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES THE TRIAL PROCESS
The Participants Trial Proceedings
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State of Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County Office of the Chief Judge
CHIEF JUDGE
Surety Section
NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
Juvenile Social Forensic Adult Probation & Service Clinical Department Court Services Probation Services
COUNTY DEPARTMENT
LAW DIVISION Presiding Judge Assignment Section Tax & Misc. Remedies Section General Individual Calendar Section Motion Section Jury Section Commercial Individual Calendar Section Voluntary Mediation Program DOMESTIC CHANCERY RELATIONS PROBATE COUNTY CRIMINAL DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION Presiding Judge General Chancery Division Mechanics Lien Section Presiding Judge Presiding Presiding Presiding Judge Judge Judge
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT
SIXTH SECOND THIRD FOURTH FIFTH MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT Presiding Judge Civil Calls Housing Section Traffic Section Misdemeanor Section Criminal Calls Traffic Calls Ordinance Violations Presiding Judge Civil Calls Criminal Calls Traffic Calls Ordinance Violations Presiding Judge Civil Calls Criminal Calls Traffic Calls Presiding Judge Civil Calls Criminal Calls Traffic Calls Ordinance Ordinance Violations Violations Presiding Judge Civil Calls Criminal Calls Traffic Calls Ordinance Violations
COUNTY DEPARTMENT
legal separation invalidity of marriage civil orders of protection child support child custody & visitation
The Law Division hears civil suits for recovery of monetary damages in excess of $30,000 in the City of Chicago, and in excess of $100,000 in the suburban districts, as well as many types of administrative reviews. Cases heard include:
personal injury/ wrongful death motor vehicle injury medical malpractice legal malpractice product liability intentional tort construction injuries commercial litigation fraud breach of contract breach of warranty employment security property damage premises liability miscellaneous remedies
COUNTY DEPARTMENT
The Probate Division hears matters concerning wills and administration of estates. Cases heard include:
probate & contest of wills & testamentary instruments claims against an estate arising in contract, tort or otherwise administration of estates of decedents, disabled persons, minors & wards contracts to make a will construction of wills actions arising under the Illinois Power of Attorney Act
The Criminal Division hears cases in which the state alleges the commission of a serious criminal act such as:
armed robbery assault burglary criminal sexual assault murder
The MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT is divided into six geographic districts. Each district is supervised by a presiding judge. The First Municipal District encompasses the City of Chicago. Municipal Districts Two through Six encompass the communities in suburban Cook County. 3 ROLLING MEADOWS
The Municipal Districts hear cases involving:*
domestic violence housing eviction proceedings small claims licenses misdemeanor criminal proceedings (including drug treatment court in the Fourth Municipal District and the Sixth Municipal District only) felony preliminary hearings ordinance & traffic enforcement contract cases decided by alternative dispute resolution process civil suits for damages up to $30,000 in the First Municipal District & up to $100,000 in Districts Two through Six mandatory arbitration (less formal proceeding with three-member panel deciding case) in suits with damages of $30,000 or less name changes marriage court
2 SKOKIE
1 CHICAGO 4 MAYWOOD
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT
5 BRIDGEVIEW
6 MARKHAM
*The following types of cases are also heard in the municipal district courthouses: felony criminal cases; domestic relations cases; and law division tort cases seeking damages in excess of $100,000.
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Cities, Villages, Towns & Townships
Chicago 2
3 Deerfield* Des Plaines Evanston Glencoe Glenview Golf Kenilworth Lincolnwood Morton Grove Niles Northbrook Northfield Park Ridge Skokie Wilmette Winnetka
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4 1 5
The Townships of Evanston, Maine, excluding that part of the Township of Maine within the territorial limits of the municipality of Rosemont, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, excluding that part of the Township of Northfield within the territorial limits of the municipality of Prospect Heights, and that part of the Township of Wheeling within the territorial limits of the municipality of Des Plaines
Arlington Heights Barrington* Barrington Hills* Bartlett* Bensenville* Buffalo Grove* East Dundee* Elgin* Elk Grove Village*
Hanover Park* Harwood Heights Hoffman Estates* Inverness Mount Prospect Norridge Palatine Prospect Heights Rolling Meadows
The Townships of Barrington, Elk Grove, Hanover, Palatine and Schaumburg, that part of the Township of Leyden within the territorial limits of the municipalities of Rosemont and Schiller Park, that part of the Township of Maine within the territorial limits of the municipality of Rosemont, that part of the Township of Northfield within the territorial limits of the municipality of Prospect Heights, Wheeling, excluding that part of the Township of Wheeling within the territorial limits of the municipality of Des Plaines, Norwood Park, excluding that part of the Township of Norwood Park within the territorial limits of the City of Chicago
Alsip Bedford Park Bridgeview Burbank Burr Ridge* Crestwood Chicago Ridge Countryside Evergreen Park Forest View Hickory Hills
6 Hinsdale* Hodgkins Hometown Indian Head Park Justice La Grange Lemont Lyons McCook Merrionette Park Oak Lawn Orland Hills Orland Park Palos Heights Palos Hills Palos Park Stickney Summit Tinley Park Western Springs Willow Springs
Worth
Forest Park Franklin Park Hillside La Grange Park Maywood Melrose Park Northlake
North Riverside Oak Park River Forest River Grove Riverside Stone Park Westchester
The Townships of Berwyn, Cicero, Leyden, excluding that part lying within the territorial limits of the municipalities of Rosemont and Schiller Park, Oak Park, Proviso, River Forest, and Riverside
Blue Island Burnham Calumet City Calumet Park Chicago Heights Country Club Hills Crete* Dixmoor Dolton East Hazel Crest Flossmoor Ford Heights
Glenwood Harvey Hazel Crest Homewood Lansing Lynwood Markham Matteson Midlothian Oak Forest Olympia Fields Park Forest
Phoenix Posen Richton Park Riverdale Robbins Sauk Village South Chicago Heights South Holland Steger Thornton
The Juvenile Justice Division hears cases involving delinquent minors under 17 years of age. The Juvenile Justice Division also orders programs and services to rehabilitate these minors and monitors their progress through probation officers. Cases heard include:
minors addicted to alcohol or drugs minors requiring authoritative intervention (runaways or those beyond the control of a parent, guardian or custodian)
Circuit Court of Cook County's newest department. Prior to its creation as a fullstatus department by then Chief Judge Donald P O'Connell in January 1995, the . Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department was originally known as the Juvenile Justice Division and functioned as a part of the County Department. The establishment of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department marked the first restructuring of the Circuit Court of Cook County in its thirty-year history. The department is divided into two divisions: Juvenile Justice and Child Protection. Each division is headed by a presiding judge.
The Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Resource Section serves as liaison to the academic, business and religious communities to identify and develop services and resources that will augment programs vital to juvenile justice. The section is supervised by an administrative presiding judge and is located in the Richard J. Daley Center.
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NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
The Circuit Court's fourteen non-judicial offices provide a number of important court-related services. Information for contacting each office is provided in the directory.
NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
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disputes and provides supervised visitation for parents who meet the program's qualifications. The services are provided free of charge.
NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
Mandatory Arbitration
The Mandatory Arbitration program is an alternative dispute resolution process for civil suits seeking money damages of $30,000 or less. The process is less formal and less time consuming than a jury trial and is conducted by a three-member panel of arbitrators. The arbitrators are licensed attorneys who have at least three years of experience and are certified by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts as having successfully completed a course in dispute resolution.
NON-JUDICIAL OFFICES
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The Participants
Judge: acts as a legal referee to ensure that proper
trial procedure is followed and issues rulings on points of law. In a bench trial, the judge gives the verdict in place of a jury.
The Circuit Court operates on a one day or one trial system. This means that if a juror is not selected to serve on a jury by the end of the day, the juror is not required to return the next day. Jury service is considered fulfilled and the juror will not be called for at least another year. However, jurors chosen to sit on a panel in a particular courtroom for a particular trial are required to serve for the duration of that trial. While the trial judge determines the evidence and instructs the jury as to the law, the jurors are responsible for deciding the facts, following the law and rendering a final decision.
Prosecutor: in a criminal case, the Cook County State's Attorneys Office acts as the legal representative of the people of the State of Illinois in prosecuting the accused defendant. Certain cases may be prosecuted by municipal prosecutors. Witness: gives testimony during the trial relating to the
case.
Deputy Sheriff: keeps order in the court, guards defendants in criminal cases and maintains custody of the jury. Clerk: swears in witnesses and maintains court orders
and exhibits in a trial.
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Trial Proceedings
Most trials have five stages: Stage
1 q
Stage
4 q
Jury Selection
The judge and attorneys question the jurors sent to the courtroom until a panel of twelve is agreed upon by all sides. The questioning is designed to excuse jurors who might have difficulty in rendering a fair and impartial verdict in that particular case.
Closing Arguments
This is the final opportunity for the attorneys to address the jury. The plaintiff's attorney in a civil case or the prosecutor in a criminal case proceeds first. The attorney analyzes the evidence and attempts to convince the jury to decide in favor of his or her side of the case. The defense attorney follows with his or her argument, attempting to do the same. Finally, the plaintiff's attorney or prosecutor has the opportunity to present a rebuttal to the defense attorney's argument.
Stage
2 q
Opening Statements
These are brief statements made by the attorneys to the jury in which the attorneys outline the facts as they see them and what they hope to prove. The attorneys are not considered witnesses and their statements are not evidence. The plaintiff's attorney in a civil case or the prosecutor in a criminal case gives the first statement and the defense attorney follows.
Stage
5 q
Jury Deliberations
The judge instructs the jury on the law they must apply in the particular case. Jurors then retire from the courtroom to deliberate in secret. When the jurors reach a verdict, the jury foreman who is elected by fellow jurors informs the deputy sheriff that a decision has been reached. The jury returns to the courtroom and the verdict is read aloud to the parties.
Stage
3 q
Presentation of Evidence
Witnesses for the plaintiff in a civil case or for the prosecution in a criminal case testify first, witnesses for the defense testify next and any rebuttal witnesses testify last. Each witness is sworn to tell the truth. The attorney who calls the witness asks questions in direct examination. The attorney for the opposing side then questions the witness in cross-examination. The purpose of this questioning is to elicit evidence. Exhibits and physical objects such as photographs and x-rays may also be presented at this time as evidence.
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Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. Presiding Judge 1303 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.6132 312.603.6673 TDD
Honorable Edmund Ponce de Leon Presiding Judge 1500 Maybrook Drive Maywood, IL 60153 708.865.6060 708.865.6041 TDD
Honorable Anthony S. Montelione Presiding Judge 10220 S. 76th Avenue Bridgeview, IL 60455 708.974.6288 708.974.6546 TDD
Honorable Dorothy Kirie Kinnaird Presiding Judge 2403 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.4181 312.603.6673 TDD
Honorable Michael J. Murphy Presiding Judge 1701 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.6194 312.603.6673 TDD
Criminal Division
Honorable Paul P. Biebel, Jr. Presiding Judge 2600 S. California Ave., Rm. 101 Chicago, IL 60608 773.869.3160 773.869.7798 TDD
Honorable Moshe Jacobius Presiding Judge 1901 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.6556 312.603.6673 TDD
Honorable Shelley Sutker-Dermer Presiding Judge 5600 Old Orchard Road Skokie, IL 60077 847.470.7200 847.470.7503 TDD
Honorable Ronald C. Riley Presiding Judge 16501 South Kedzie Parkway Markham, IL 60426 708.210.4170 708.210.4191 TDD 119 West Randolph St. County Building - Lower Level Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.5660 312.603.6673 TDD
Marriage Court
Law Division
Honorable William D. Maddux Presiding Judge 2005 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.6343 312.603.6673 TDD
Honorable Henry A. Budzinski Presiding Judge 1803 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.7545 312.603.6673 TDD
Probate Division
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Honorable Curtis Heaston Presiding Judge 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., Rm. 8004 Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.4757 312.433.6743 TDD
Honorable Patricia Martin Bishop Presiding Judge 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., Rm. 8004 Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.4756 312.433.6743 TDD
COMMUNITY LIAISONS
Enlaces de la Comunidad African American Community Liaisons Hispanic Community Liaison
Magali Rodriguez Office of Interpreter Services 2650 South California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608 773.869.7222
Kelly Callaway Mandatory Arbitration 222 North LaSalle St., 13th Floor Chicago, IL 60601 312.793.0125 Melanie Wheeler Office of the Chief Judge 2600 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.3587
Daniel P. Darcy Thomas M. Davy David Delgado Donald M. Devlin Barbara J. Disko Francis J. Dolan Christopher J. Donnelly David R. Donnersberger John T. Doody, Jr. Deborah Mary Dooling Jennifer Duncan-Brice Laurence J. Dunford Loretta Eadie-Daniels James D. Egan Lynn M. Egan Richard J. Elrod James R. Epstein Timothy C. Evans Candace Jean Fabri Thomas P. Fecarotta, Jr. Roger G. Fein Peter A. Felice Raymond A. Figueroa Denise Kathleen Filan Kathy M. Flanagan Thomas E. Flanagan James P. Flannery, Jr. John J. Fleming Susan G. Fleming Peter Flynn Nicholas R. Ford Allen A. Freeman Margaret OMara Frossard Raymond Funderburk Rodolfo Garcia Sheldon Gardner Vincent M. Gaughan James J. Gavin Francis W. Glowacki Allen S. Goldberg Francis X. Golniewicz, Jr.
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John J. Moran, Jr. Dennis J. Morrissey John E. Morrissey Mary A. Mulhern Michael J. Murphy Joyce Marie Murphy Gorman Elliott Muse, Jr. Marya Nega P. Scott Neville, Jr. Lewis M. Nixon Benjamin E. Novoselsky Julia M. Nowicki Thomas E. Nowinski Stuart A. Nudelman Donald J. O'Brien, Jr. Edward P. OBrien Joan Margaret OBrien William T. OBrien Lawrence OGara James P. O'Malley William P. O'Malley William D. O'Neal Sandra R. Otaka Stuart E. Palmer Thomas Paul Panichi Kathleen M. Pantle Sebastian T. Patti William Phelan Donna Phelps Felton Edward N. Pietrucha Edmund Ponce de Leon Lee Preston James S. Quinlan, Jr. Carolyn Quinn Robert J. Quinn Thomas P. Quinn Ellis E. Reid Ralph Reyna James L. Rhodes Barbara Ann Riley
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ASSOCIATE JUDGES
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Jueces Comisionados Jorge Luis Alonso Sam L. Amirante Edward A. Antonietti William J. Aukstik Reginald H. Baker Mark J. Ballard Robert P. Bastone Consuelo E. Bedoya-Witt Helaine Leslie Berger J. Martin Berry Samuel J. Betar III Adam Donald Bourgeois, Jr. Preston L. Bowie William Stewart Boyd Stephen Y. Brodhay Michael Brown Gary L. Brownfield Elizabeth M. Budzinski Dennis J. Burke Joseph N. Casciato
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AUTO POUND
Depsito de Automviles
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Actas de Nacimiento
APPELLATE COURT
Tribunal de Apelacines
Secretario del Condado de Cook County Building 118 N. Clark St., Lower Level Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.5656
Tribunal de Apelacines de Illinois Primer Distrito 160 N. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60601 312.793.5484
BOND REFUND
Devolucin de Fianzas
General Information
Primer Distrito Municipal 1301 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.4424
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline Department of Children & Family Services
Lnea de Emergencia para Abuso y Descuido Infantil, Departmento de Servicios Familiares e Infantiles 1.800.252.2873 (24 hours / 7 days a week)
ARBITRATION
Arbitrio
Resoluciones Obligatorias de Arbitrio 222 N. LaSalle St., 13th Floor Chicago, IL 60601 312.793.0125 312.793.0145 TDD
In-Touch Hotline
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CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY ROOM Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Child Support Division
Centro de Apoyo Infantil
Divisin de Manutencin de Menores del Secretario del Tribunal de Circuito del Condado de Cook General Information Informacin General 28 N. Clark St., Rm. 200 Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.2000
General Information
Informacin General 312.603.1945
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COUNSELING
Asesora
HOSPITAL Circuit Court of Cook County Marriage & Family Counseling Service
Servicios de Asesora Matrimonial y Asuntos Familiares 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1000 Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.1540 312.603.1575 TDD Hospital
COURT REPORTERS
Estengrafos del Tribunal
INTERPRETER SERVICES
Servicios de Intrpretes
FORENSIC SERVICES
Servicios Forenses
Servicios Clnicos Forenses 2650 S. California Ave., 10th Floor Chicago, IL 60608 773.869.6100 773.869.7605 TDD
JAIL
Crcel
Clinica del Tribunal de Menores del Condado de Cook 2245 W. Ogden, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.6686 312.433.6851 FAX
Cermak Servicios de Sanidad (Health Clinic for Cook County Jail) 2800 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608 773.869.7000
JURY SERVICE
Servicio de Jurados
HEARING OFFICERS
Oficiales de Audiencias
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JUVENILE DETENTION
LICENSES (cont.)
Licencias
Detencin Juvenil
Circuit Court of Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (formerly Audy Center)
General Information Informacin General 1100 S. Hamilton Ave. Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.7102 (Center)
Driver's Licenses
Liquor Licenses
NAME CHANGE
LAW LIBRARY
Biblioteca Jurdica
Informacin para el Cambio de Nombre 802 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.5133
LICENSES
Licencias
ORDERS OF PROTECTION
Ordenes de Proteccin
Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates Business Registration Election & Voter Registration Notary Registration
Business Licenses Chicago City Vehicle Stickers Dog Licenses Going Out of Business Info Residential Parking Permits
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PRO SE COURT
Juzgado Pro-Se Por si mismo
PUBLIC GUARDIAN
Tutora Oficial
PROBATION
Probatoria
Circuit Court of Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department
Divisin de Abuso y Abandono Infantil 2245 W. Ogden Ave., 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.4300
SHERIFF
Alguacil
La Dependencia de Libertad Probatoria y Servicios Judiciales para Menores 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., 2nd Floor Chicago, IL 60612 312.433.6901 312.433.4401 TDD
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Defensor de Oficio
SOCIAL SERVICES
Servicios Sociales
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STATE'S ATTORNEY
Minesterio Fiscal Pblico
TOURS
Recorridos (for those interested in a tour of the Daley Center Courthouse)
Oficina de Asuntos Pblicos 69 W. Washington St., Suite 3300 Chicago, IL 60602 312.603.1928
TRAFFIC
Trnsito
Visit us at www.cookcountycourt.org
VOTER REGISTRATION
Registro de Votantes
WARRANTS
Ordenes Judiciales Detencin Fianzas
Civiles 312.603.6475
Civil
Criminal
Penales 312.603.3770
If you would like more information about the Circuit Court of Cook County, visit us at: www.cookcountycourt.org
STATE OF ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY Office of the Chief Judge 2004
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