Madeline Buckley

Judge Michael Toomin, Cook County criminal court, circa 1987.

‘A judge’s judge’: Michael Toomin, who presided over major trials and juvenile court, dies after retiring from Cook County bench

July 24, 2023 at 5:21 p.m.

Michael Toomin, a former Cook County judge who presided over some of the county's highest-profile cases and helmed the juvenile justice division for a decade, died on Friday. Toomin, 85,...

Fred Cooper and Marlo Norman, far left, lead a peace circle with two community members in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on July 20, 2023. The defendant did not show up for the peace circle. These discussion groups are part of restorative justice programs, an alternative approach to handling low-level criminal cases.

As ‘restorative justice’ in neighborhood courts shows positive results, Cook County looks to expand program

July 23, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

In a shuttered Catholic school with bells tolling in the background, Cook County Judge Beatriz Santiago leaned over her desk and asked the defendant how his GED practice tests were...

The Illinois Supreme Court in Springfield on April 18, 2023.

Illinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail, sets Sept. 18 as start date for new system

July 18, 2023 at 10:18 p.m.

The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for the state to become the first in the nation to eliminate cash bail for criminal defendants awaiting trial, rejecting arguments...

A police officer processes the crime scene Thursday at the Mariano's store in the 2500 block of 95th Street in Evergreen Park after an employee was shot and killed.

Woman fatally shot at Mariano’s in Evergreen Park filed restraining order in April, court records show

July 14, 2023 at 7:49 p.m.

A 21-year-old woman who was fatally shot at a Mariano's grocery store in Evergreen Park Thursday had reported domestic violence by the man who shot her and was granted a...

A memorial with photos of Karina Gonzalez and her daughter, Daniela Alvarez, is outside their home in the 2600 block of South Millard Avenue in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on July 5, 2023.

Wife obtained order of protection against husband before he shot and killed her and daughter, 15, prosecutors say

July 6, 2023 at 7:41 p.m.

Late Sunday evening, Karina Gonzalez was at home with her family, her two teenage children sitting together on the couch while she was in the kitchen, prosecutors said. That's when...

Judge William Hooks speaks during a bond hearing leading up to a new trial for Jackie Wilson at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on June 21, 2018.

Cook County judge accused of making racist comments reassigned from judicial work until further notice

June 29, 2023 at 8:21 p.m.

A Cook County judge who was accused in court filings of making racist comments during a conference in his chambers in January has been reassigned until further notice, according to...

Prosecutors tell court they intend to prosecute criminal contempt matter for former Cook County judge who allegedly stole from elderly man

June 29, 2023 at 5:17 p.m.

Cook County prosecutors intend to pursue a criminal contempt case against a former Cook County judge who has been accused in civil filings and an attorney discipline complaint of stealing...

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