Tour of the Circuit Court of Cook County
This tour features a visit to a Domestic Relations Division trial courtroom and hearing room where dissolution of marriage and civil union matters (also known as divorce) are heard. Court proceedings that will be observed include prove ups, in which parties agree on the terms of the divorce; divorce trials, where parties do not agree on some or all terms of the divorce; and post decree matters, where one party wants a change in the terms of the divorce, which can include but is not limited to child custody, child support, or college tuition.
An overview presentation of the judicial system and follow-up discussion are included.
An overview presentation of the judicial system and follow-up discussion are included.
The tour will begin promptly at 10am. Everyone attending should meet Charity Humphreys in the Daley Plaza (pictured on the left), located on the south side of the building no later than 9:45am. This will give you enough time to get through security.
2014 Cook County Courthouse Security
- Anyone entering a courthouse in the Circuit Court of Cook County must pass a security check-point, including passing through a metal detector, x-ray examination of purses, bags, etc.
- Anyone attempting to carry the items listed below into a courthouse, risks having them confiscated by building security.
- There is no area in which to leave or check prohibited items.
- If any individual attempts to enter with a prohibited item and is stopped, they will not be allowed to enter the courthouse without surrendering the item to security personnel.
- If confiscated, items are disposed of and not returned to the owner.
- There are no exceptions to this order and your tour guide cannot prevent or interfere with the security measures established in the courthouses
Prohibited items are as follows:
* CAMERAS (including digital and disposable), RADIOS / PERSONAL STEREOS (including i-pods, MP-3 players, headphones, etc), RECORDING DEVICES OF ANY KIND, Knives, Powders, Pepper Spray, Razor Blades, Pad locks, Tools of any kind, Liquids of any kind, Aerosol Spray Cans, Mace, Tape Recorders, Heavy Chain Items, Knitting Needles, Scissors, Markers, Nails, Screws, Rolled Coins, Handcuff Keys, Heavy Metallic Belts, Corkscrews, Glass items (including beverage bottles, perfume bottles), food of any kind, and any item or substance that an individual is prohibited by law to possess or carry.
POLICY REGARDING CELL PHONES:
- Cell phones and pagers can be carried while in the courthouse, however if a cell phone or pager rings, beeps, buzzes, etc. in a courtroom, it will be confiscated by the Sheriff’s Department deputy assigned to that courtroom.
- The item will not be returned to the owner. Please be certain all cell phones and pagers are turned off when entering the courthouse.
- Your tour guide cannot prevent or interfere with the confiscation of a cell phone that interrupts court proceedings.
* Restricted cameras do not include cell phones with a camera function.
visiting the Richard J. Daley Center
Where is the Daley Center?
The Richard J. Daley Center occupies the city block bound by Randolph, Clark, Washington and Dearborn Streets. The address is 50 West Washington.
What should I expect when I arrive?
The Cook County Sheriff secures the building during normal business hours. Individuals entering the facility are required to pass through security check points. These check points consist of magnetometers and x-ray machines. Everyone will be expected to empty their pockets of all metal objects (keys, coins, cigarettes, cell phones, etc) prior to walking through the magnetometer. Purses, briefcases, and all packaged items will be passed through the x-ray machine. Cameras, pocket knives, small tools, knitting needles, mace, and recording devices are not allowed into the facility and will need to be checked in with the Sheriff’s Department holding area in room CL-132. If in doubt, leave it at home.
How can I access the building by public transportation?
The Daley Center may be reached by all public transit bus and rail routes which service the Chicago Loop. Additional information may be found at the RTA Travel Information Center at (312) 836-7000 or TDD/TTY (312) 836-4949.
Is the Daley Center handicap accessible?
Yes. We can provide assistance to those physically challenged individuals who may require it. Inquire for assistance with building security or at the information booths located in the east/west lobby.
The Richard J. Daley Center occupies the city block bound by Randolph, Clark, Washington and Dearborn Streets. The address is 50 West Washington.
What should I expect when I arrive?
The Cook County Sheriff secures the building during normal business hours. Individuals entering the facility are required to pass through security check points. These check points consist of magnetometers and x-ray machines. Everyone will be expected to empty their pockets of all metal objects (keys, coins, cigarettes, cell phones, etc) prior to walking through the magnetometer. Purses, briefcases, and all packaged items will be passed through the x-ray machine. Cameras, pocket knives, small tools, knitting needles, mace, and recording devices are not allowed into the facility and will need to be checked in with the Sheriff’s Department holding area in room CL-132. If in doubt, leave it at home.
How can I access the building by public transportation?
The Daley Center may be reached by all public transit bus and rail routes which service the Chicago Loop. Additional information may be found at the RTA Travel Information Center at (312) 836-7000 or TDD/TTY (312) 836-4949.
Is the Daley Center handicap accessible?
Yes. We can provide assistance to those physically challenged individuals who may require it. Inquire for assistance with building security or at the information booths located in the east/west lobby.
Welcome to the Richard J. Daley Center
When the building opened in 1966, it was known as the Chicago Civic Center. It was rededicated the Richard J. Daley Center in 1976 to honor the late mayor shortly after his death.
The Richard J. Daley Center houses the Circuit Court of Cook County and related government agencies. The Circuit Court of Cook County is not only the largest of the 22 circuits in Illinois; it is also one of the largest unified court systems in the world. More than 2.4 million cases are filed every year.
The law library also resides in the Daley Center. The library provides professional library services, with one of the largest collections of law books in the nation, including statutes and caselaw for all states and many foreign jurisdictions as well as numerous Illinois practices.
After completion of the building, the City of Chicago commissioned Pablo Picasso to create a steel sculpture for the building’s plaza. “The Picasso” was the first monumental modern sculpture to be placed in the loop. The abstract design was initially greeted with controversy. However over time it has become an icon of the city. The sculpture is an exemplary work of cubism in its use of multiple perspectives. This work of art also helped establish the Daley Center as one of Chicago’s important architectural landmarks of the city itself.
Over the years, the Daley Plaza has become a traditional place to hold events. The plaza welcomes many visitors each year and presents many attractions which include cultural noon time programming and well as seasonal farmer’s markets. (www.cityofchicago.org).
When the building opened in 1966, it was known as the Chicago Civic Center. It was rededicated the Richard J. Daley Center in 1976 to honor the late mayor shortly after his death.
The Richard J. Daley Center houses the Circuit Court of Cook County and related government agencies. The Circuit Court of Cook County is not only the largest of the 22 circuits in Illinois; it is also one of the largest unified court systems in the world. More than 2.4 million cases are filed every year.
The law library also resides in the Daley Center. The library provides professional library services, with one of the largest collections of law books in the nation, including statutes and caselaw for all states and many foreign jurisdictions as well as numerous Illinois practices.
After completion of the building, the City of Chicago commissioned Pablo Picasso to create a steel sculpture for the building’s plaza. “The Picasso” was the first monumental modern sculpture to be placed in the loop. The abstract design was initially greeted with controversy. However over time it has become an icon of the city. The sculpture is an exemplary work of cubism in its use of multiple perspectives. This work of art also helped establish the Daley Center as one of Chicago’s important architectural landmarks of the city itself.
Over the years, the Daley Plaza has become a traditional place to hold events. The plaza welcomes many visitors each year and presents many attractions which include cultural noon time programming and well as seasonal farmer’s markets. (www.cityofchicago.org).
If you are running late or get lost, please contact Charity.