Three Rolling Meadows judges to retire

The ranks of Cook County judges will be diminished by three come Friday, when Third Municipal District Presiding Judge Joseph Urso, Associate Judge John Scotillo and Associate Judge Howard Fink are retiring.

The judges announced their retirement Wednesday morning at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, sources confirmed.

Urso, a judge since 1978, presides over the capital murder case against D’Andre Howard, charged with slaying three members of a Hoffman Estates family in 2009. Scotillo, an associate judge since 1988, is hearing the capital case against Patrick Taylor, charged with first-degree murder in the 2006 death of Marquis Lovings in Lovings’ Rolling Meadows condominium. The cases will be transferred to other judges.

Fink has been on the bench since 1982.

“I wish then well. They will be sorely missed,” said Jim Mullenix, Cook County assistant public defender representing Howard and Taylor.