Crime & Law
Cook County Officials Opening New Court Facility, Clearing Judges’ Schedules Ahead of Possible Mass Arrests at DNC in Chicago
Leighton Criminal Court Building (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Cook County court officials are prepping for the possibility of mass arrests during next month’s Democratic National Convention by freeing up judges and clearing “non-essential proceedings” should they be called upon to handle an influx of cases.
Chief Judge Timothy Evans, who filed a pair of administrative orders this month, said his office has made “extensive preparations,” including plans to reopen a former court facility at 2452 W. Belmont Ave., ahead of next month’s DNC following requests from the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department.
“We have been meeting for weeks with more than 50 people from county, city, state, and federal agencies to prepare for the possibility of multiple arrests,” Evans said in a statement. “We want to make sure the police are able to focus on providing security and that the rights of arrested individuals are scrupulously respected.”
Arrests were few and far between during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this month, but Chicago officials are preparing for more extensive protests and demonstrations.
According to Evans, several dozen Cook County judges have cleared their civil and criminal court calendars of all non-essential proceedings so they can be available to supplement the court’s regular criminal court resources.
Evans’ office believes most criminal cases will continue to be heard by judges already assigned to the pre-trial and criminal divisions. But if the CPD alerts the court to a “multiple arrest incident or incidents,” the court will use part of the West Belmont facility to hold hearings for those who are arrested and need to appear before a judge.
The West Belmont court facility will operate from 8 a.m. to midnight from Aug. 11-31. Evans’ office said 57 judges have received training on Pretrial Fairness Act requirements and will hear cases either at the West Belmont location or at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
If the number of arrestees exceeds the capacity of the West Belmont facility, the overflow will be processed by police at alternate CPD facilities, Evans said, and those cases will be heard at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
Under Evans’ orders, law enforcement officers with the Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Chicago Police Department — with some exceptions — who have been ordered to appear and testify at court proceedings between Aug. 12-30 shall be excused from doing so.
Jury trials in criminal cases pending at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse that are scheduled to begin between Aug. 12-30 will be held at the Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows if they can’t be rescheduled, while people who receive jury trial summonses to serve between those dates will be on standby status.
According to Evans, most employees working at courthouse locations closest to the convention sites — including the 69 W. Washington St. administration building, the Daley Center, the Domestic Violence Courthouse at 555 W. Harrison St., and the Juvenile Center at 2245 W. Ogden Ave. — will instead work remotely Aug. 19-23.
“We thank our fellow government officials and our court staff for their continued cooperation in this important endeavor,” Evans said.
