Rolling Meadows Saturday bond court's swan song

Arnulfo Ramirez-Chilel made history of sorts with his bond hearing Saturday at the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County circuit court.

Citing an expected $1.9 million savings, the Cook County Board has decided to consolidate weekend and holiday hearings from the Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham courthouses. Starting May 5, the suburban cases will be part of a larger call at the criminal courts building at 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago.

Ramirez-Chilel was the fifth and final defendant for Saturday's bond court swan song in Rolling Meadows before Associate Judge Bridget Hughes. She set bond at $10,000 for Ramirez-Chilel, 24, of Chicago, who was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol after he was arrested about 4:30 a. m. Saturday in Mount Prospect.

Hughes' court reporter realized the significance of Ramirez-Chilel's case before it began and kiddingly asked the judge if she was going to cry over the loss of Saturday bond court.

Several Northwest suburban police chiefs have voiced concern about the move to combine the weekend and holiday hearings at what's commonly called 26th and Cal.

They say it's likely the decision will cost suburban police departments more money and staff time.

Cook County Assistant Public Defender Daniel Naranjo represented the five bond court defendants Saturday in Rolling Meadows.

He said the changes will be significant for those accused of crimes over weekends and holidays when the suburban hearings are combined at 26th and Cal.

After bond was established during a hearing in Rolling Meadows, said Naranjo, processing typically took 30 to 45 minutes if bail was posted for a criminal suspect. He said it likely will take much more time at the criminal courts building.

Naranjo also said he expects up to 200 defendants from the city and suburbs will be in a holding cell awaiting bond hearings at 26th and Cal, as opposed to 20 or fewer in Rolling Meadows on weekends and holidays. He added the harsh atmosphere at 26th and Cal could become a deterrent for accused suburban criminals, particularly teenagers.

“You have to be aware, the consequences following an arrest are going to be much more dire by being taken to a city courthouse at 26th Street,” said Naranjo, a 12-year public defense attorney.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Casey Hunter, who handled Saturday's Rolling Meadows call, said prosecutors are still being prepared on how the new weekend and holiday bond court system will work at the criminal courthouse.

Keeping the suburban courthouses open on weekends and holidays required a minimum of one judge, an assistant state's attorney, an assistant public defender, three clerks and seven sheriff's deputies, according to a Cook County Board spokeswoman.

Weekend hearings across the suburban municipal districts have averaged 87 defendants on Saturdays and 37 on Sundays.