Cook County Circuit Court Archives

Meet the Cook County judge attorneys least want to appear before

Judge Diane Gordon Cannon criticized for verbal outbursts, a pro-prosecution bent and jailing of probationers for sometimes-minor infractions.

by Emily Hoerner and Casey Toner October 22, 2020September 2, 2025

A judge sits on the bench surrounded by traffic barriers

The Circuit

A veteran Cook County judge has been repeatedly blocked from hearing sex offense cases. Here’s why.

An unprecedented investigation of court data finds systematic effort to keep Judge James Linn from deciding sex charges after a controversial ruling he made years ago.

by Casey Toner and Emily Hoerner October 22, 2020February 6, 2024

Judicial Conduct

Cook County judge resigns, avoiding discipline for alleged sexual harassment

Judge Mauricio Araujo resigned after the Illinois Courts Commission found “clear and convincing” evidence that he engaged in a pattern of inappropriate and harassing behavior toward women.

by John Seasly September 29, 2020January 8, 2024

2020 Retention

Two Cook County judges in ‘judge jail’ want 6 more years on the bench

Judges Mauricio Araujo and Jackie Portman-Brown have been removed from their courtrooms as investigations into their conduct are underway.

by John Seasly September 4, 2020January 8, 2024

Chief Cook County Judge Timothy Evans in October 201. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

Cook County Jail

Activists demand courts release detainees amid COVID-19 concerns

In an open letter to Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, reform advocates are demanding the release of as many detainees as possible in order to mitigate risks related to the new coronavirus.

by Connor Echols March 19, 2020January 8, 2024

Court Administration

Cook County Circuit Court to dramatically scale back operations due to coronavirus

The court will suspend all non-essential matters for 30 days starting Tuesday, the chief judge told presiding judges in a three-hour meeting on Friday.

by John Seasly and Connor Echols March 13, 2020January 8, 2024

2018 Retention

Cook County judges’ committee funding Democratic effort to oust Coghlan

The committee that provides funding for Cook County circuit judges’ retention campaigns is turning much of its money over to the Cook County Democratic party, even though the party is mounting a campaign to defeat one retention judge, Matthew Coghlan.

by Alecia Richards and Elena Sucharetza October 12, 2018December 5, 2023

Judicial Conduct

Judge: Cook County judicial corruption did not affect 1977 murder trial

A Cook County Circuit Court judge Wednesday denied to grant a new trial to a man who contends his conviction on charges he murdered a plainclothes Chicago police officer in 1976 was wrongly decided by a judge who sought to divert attention from his own corruption.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Cook County judicial candidate, colleague misled jury into wrongful conviction

Cook County judge said judicial candidate Michael Gerber and his co-counsel’s statements in a recently overturned conviction “amounted to a purposeful due process violation that led to petitioner’s conviction.”

by Mari Cohen January 10, 2018December 5, 2023

Appeals and Wrongful Convictions

DNA disproves evidence used to convict two in 1986 Chicago murder, lawyers say

Recent DNA testing supports the contention of inmates Curtis Croft and Demetrius Henderson that they have spent years in prison for a rape and murder they did not commit, a newly-filed petition states.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang December 22, 2017December 5, 2023

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