Free Republic

CHICAGO (AP) — Cook County’s top judge has signed an order barring ICE from arresting people at courthouses. Cook County includes Chicago, which has seen a federal immigration crackdown in recent months. Detaining residents outside court has been a common tactic for federal agents, who have been stationed outside county courthouses for weeks, making arrests and drawing crowds of protesters. The order, which was signed Tuesday night and took effect Wednesday, bars the civil arrest of any “party, witness, or potential witness” while going to court proceedings. It includes arrests made inside courthouses and in parking lots, surrounding sidewalks and...

Perhaps the most influential judge who is up for retention in the current election cycle is Timothy C. Evans, the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The chief judge does not hear cases, but he heavily influences the county’s justice system through judicial assignments, policy decisions, the operation of an electronic monitoring program for people awaiting trial, and management of the adult probation department and juvenile detention programs. Evans, 79, was a Chicago alderman from 1973 to 1991, when he lost a re-election campaign. He became a Cook County judge in 1992 and rose to chief judge...

Google has “terminated” the Cook County court system’s YouTube account, which Chief Judge Timothy Evans’s office has used for over two years to provide live stream access to court proceedings. “The [office of the chief judge] is not aware of any particular instance that would have precipitated the action, but understands that court proceedings are sometimes graphic in nature and not suitable for all audiences,” Evans’ spokesperson said in a statement. The court filed an appeal with YouTube and had been told to expect a response within two business days, according to Evans’ office. ...