Chief Judge Evans Honored at NWSBA Judges’ Night

Judges in the Circuit Court of Cook County came out to honor one of their own May 7, as Timothy C. Evans, chief judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, received the Northwest Suburban Bar Association’s 2013 Public Service Award at the NWSBA’s annual Judges’ Night.

Awards Committee Chair Miriam Cooper cited Chief Judge Evans’ work to establish safe-haven programs for children of parents or guardians attending court and his championing expanding opportunities for women and minorities at the court’s executive management level. His efforts have resulted in changes to the bail-setting process and the creation of a new Domestic Violence Courthouse in Chicago and of two court-wide divisions dedicated to hearing only domestic violence and elder law matters, Cooper said.

“Judge Evans took a slow, cautious and studied approach to the issue of television, as he balanced the public’s right to know, and the effect of cameras in the courtrooms,” she said. Evans has banned cellphones in Cook Country’s main criminal court facility, a move that has not been without controversy. Cooper quoted “Chicago Tribune” columnist John Kass on that issue: “ ‘ Some politicians are in a snit. Some court visitors are upset, not being allowed to bring in their precious cell phones. But at least one man did his job.’

“We, and the public, are very lucky to have you at the helm of the Cook County Court System,” Cooper told Evans. “Thank you for your public service.”

“This award is very important to me, and to the judiciary,” said Evans. “We commit ourselves to the justice of our decisions. The attainment of justice is one of the highest human endeavors.”

Evans added he must share his award with other judges, because they do the heavy lifting. “It’s a tough job. We worry. We’re sometimes underfunded. Sometimes people don’t understand our decisions. 

“But we are a team, forged with steel, ready for the tasks, every day. This award belongs to the judges at every table here tonight, and I thank you.”

Evans in turn honored Erin V. Calandriello, a student at DePaul University College of Law and this year’s winner of the NWSBA Foundation’s scholarship. 

NWSBA President Neil H. Good welcomed the crowd to Judges’ Night. “Great judges make great lawyers,” he said. “We cannot succeed at our job as attorneys if you are not great at your job as judges.” 

Martin Glink, co-chair of Judges’ Night, also welcomed the judges to the event in their honor. The association pledges continued support for judges and justices, he said. “Each year we see articles attacking judges and justices and their decisions. (Critics) think they could do a better job.

“We thank you for doing the great job that you do.”

Thomas Glasgow and Clink co-chaired the event, held at Rosewood Banquets in Rosemont.