Judges, court workers help those in need

Prosecutors and defense attorneys face off every day in Rolling Meadows' Third Municipal District Courtroom 110 in the pursuit of justice.

On Friday, they came together with judges, sheriff's deputies, court clerks and probation officers for a charitable cause.

The occasion was the annual gift collection for children which Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Scotillo initiated more than 15 years ago in Chicago. Scotillo obtained from the post office letters to St. Nicholas from needy children. He and other courtroom personnel then played Santa by supplying the letter writers with the gift they had requested.

Scotillo kept up the tradition when he transferred to the Third Municipal District 12 years ago.

“People are eager to participate,” said Scotillo. No arm twisting required.

For the last few years, Scotillo and his colleagues have worked with Elk Grove Village's Kenneth Young Center to provide gifts for children and adolescents who are among its neediest and most often overlooked clients, many of whom are wards of the state.

Participating prosecutors, defense attorneys, sheriff's deputies and clerks chose names and bought gifts based on what each child requested. This year, they provided gifts for about 25 kids, said Scotillo, who credited Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Amy Tanner for organizing the event.

“She does the leg work for me,” he said.

Compassion motivates the participants, said Cook County adult probation officer Lou Incandela

“We try to help as best we can in whatever way we can,” said Incandela, who bought a 10-year-boy the football he wanted.

“We know (the gift) is for someone who really needs it,” said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Shilpa Patel.

The event is also one of the few times courtroom adversaries come together.

“The best part is to see people who are on opposite sides as a rule working together,” Scotillo said.