A new array of cases

Well, I started my job at the Cook County Circuit Court yesterday, and so far it's been going well. I've been thrilled with how kind and funny everyone has been, and I think it will be a fun group to work with.

I also have a big window next to my desk, from which I can see the Sears Tower, the Thompson Center, and, most prominently, the roof of City Hall. I'll try to get pictures this week and post them, maybe on a day with less crappy weather than today.

So, to give you an idea of what I do, I work for primarily one judge within a section of judges that work on all kinds of property-related matters, and also Cook County fines of all sorts. My judge takes appeals from fines issued by Cook County and adjudicated at the Superior Street facility.

What I do has been to look at these cases as they come to him and summarize the history and other aspects of the case. My memos help him to quickly understand the case and make an assessment, as there are so many, and helps him to run the hearings. I also do some legal research. Today, for example, I looked up a section of the municipal code to do some research on commercial advertisements for a First Amendment speech issue. However, the fines relating to public urination and solicitation of prostitution don't require as much legal research, or I doubt they will.

I have been getting out at 4:30 p.m., which is also nice, and it's given me a lot of time to read. I haven't been able to get home early, because I've had other tasks to do, but things have been working out. Yesterday I got home a half hour before Dave, so I picked up some bunny litter and bunny food. In fact, at Valli Produce, I got a bunch of free lettuce leaves that had fallen off of otherwise healthy heads of romaine. Things are coming up Val!

So, I'll keep everyone updated about the job, but know for now that I'm really happy and keeping busy.