Donna L. Cooper named Acting Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Justice Division

Herewith the press release issued today by the Office of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans:

The Hon. Donna L. Cooper has been named Acting Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Justice Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said.

A retired colonel with the Illinois Army National Guard, Judge Cooper has been a judge in the Juvenile Justice Division since April of 2009. She has presided over the Juvenile Justice Division of the Sixth Municipal District in Markham since July of 2011, and also has led the Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court since its opening in August 2020.

Judge Cooper replaces the Hon. Michael P. Toomin, who retired late last year. The Hon. Stuart F. Lubin had been temporarily filling the role of presiding judge of the Juvenile Justice Division while candidates were interviewed for the role.

“Judge Cooper is an excellent judge who understands the importance of helping troubled young people become good citizens, both from her experience in the Juvenile Justice Division and with the Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court,” Judge Evans said. “I know that the Division will benefit under her experience and leadership.”

Restorative Justice Community Courts are aimed at young adults, aged 18-26, charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes. The courts give young adults a second chance to keep their records clean and get their lives back on track.

Judge Cooper was first elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County [to a 1st Subcircuit vacancy] in November of 2008. Prior to her election, Judge Cooper served as City of Chicago Assistant Corporation Counsel, Assistant General Attorney with the Chicago Park District, Cook County Assistant Public Defender and a staff attorney with the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Judge Cooper received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her law degree from DePaul University College of Law.

She retired from the Illinois Army National Guard, Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, after 25 years of military service, in May 2013. Her duties included supervising international military attorneys and serving as liaison between the Polish Army and the U.S. JAG office in Iraq.

“I’m grateful to Judge Evans for this opportunity,” Judge Cooper said. “Juvenile justice law was born in Chicago in 1899. I look forward to continuing this important mission to provide justice and rehabilitation to the young people of Cook County.”