Aldermen, Community Members Protest Branch 29 Courthouse Closure

CHICAGO, IL — A Cook County branch courthouse at Belmont and Western could close in a budget settlement between Chief Circuit Court Judge Timothy Evans and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The deal would close courtrooms at 2452 W. Belmont Ave. and 155 W. 51st St. by September, aldermen said. Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th) have sent alerts to constituents calling for action against the Belmont closure.

"Under this settlement, all of the preliminary felony hearings and misdemeanor cases currently heard at 2452 W. Belmont Ave. would shift to the courthouse at Harrison and Kedzie," O'Connor said in his alert. "This would mean victims, defendants, witnesses, law enforcement and legal counsel will be forced to travel further distances for each case resulting in an increase in time and money for all involved."

O'Connor said the branch closure would also have a "detrimental" impact on the Cook County State's Attorney's Community Justice Center at 5333 N. Western Ave.

"Their ability to prosecute these cases will drop dramatically because fewer witnesses will be able or willing to make the trip to testify at the Harrison and Kedzie location," O'Connor said.

Tunney said he estimates that at least five police districts, one detective area and the mass transit unit will be impacted by the closure.

Ald. James Cappleman (46th) said he agrees with the other aldermen that action has to be taken.

"It is already extraordinarily difficult for those charged with crimes as well as victims and complainants to attend court hearings," Cappleman said. "Closing of the 2452 W. Belmont court would create a huge negative impact on our justice system."

According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, the details of the closures were included in a "memorandum of settlement" that Chief Circuit Court Judge Timothy Evans sent to judges and employees last week. The agreement also calls for nearly 2,400 workers under Evans' jurisdiction to take 10 unpaid days off work, the Tribune reported. If the workers' unions don't agree to the unpaid time off, they could face layoffs, according to the report.

The aldermen encouraged their constituents to contact Preckwinkle and Evans to protest the Belmont courthouse closure.

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