Latest news with #CookCounty
Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Family Law Attorney Michael Ian Bender Sworn in as President of Illinois Judges Foundation
Retired judge, family law attorney, child advocate, and author Michael Ian Bender ( has been sworn in as the new president of the Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF), continuing a distinguished career dedicated to supporting families and children through the legal system. With more than 25 years of experience, first as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County's Domestic Relations Division and later as a practicing attorney, Bender brings a deep and informed perspective to his leadership of the Foundation. As a family law attorney, Michael Ian Bender has worked to help parents handle complex legal issues while minimizing the emotional toll on children. His years on the bench gave him direct insight into how divorce and custody proceedings affect children's lives. He now applies that knowledge at Caesar & Bender, LLP, where he focuses on thoughtful and constructive outcomes in family law cases. Bender's work as a family law attorney is also reflected in his book 'Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time.' The book offers a clear framework for reducing trauma for children involved in divorce, custody, and parentage disputes. 'The trauma that children suffer due to disputes between their parents has long-lasting negative effects,' Bender writes. 'This trauma is heightened at times of divorce and separation.' Now, as president of the Illinois Judges Foundation, Bender plans to further the organization's mission to support judicial education and promote access to justice, especially for children and families impacted by the court system. His background gives him a valuable understanding of how to guide the Foundation's efforts in a way that bridges judicial integrity with real-world legal experience. The Illinois Judges Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Judges Association, supports a variety of educational and outreach programs across the state. With Bender at the helm, the Foundation is expected to expand initiatives aimed at helping judges, attorneys, and the public better understand how legal processes can support child development and family stability. Bender's leadership of the Foundation comes at a time when courts and legal professionals are paying closer attention to how legal systems affect the mental and emotional health of children. He remains active in his legal practice at Caesar & Bender, LLP, where he continues to help families find pathways toward resolution that prioritize long-term well-being. Families facing the challenges of divorce or custody disputes will recognize in Michael Ian Bender a leader who understands not only the law but also the lasting effects legal decisions have on children's lives. His new role as president of the Illinois Judges Foundation reflects a continued commitment to fostering legal environments that protect and support the next generation. About Caesar & Bender, LLP: Caesar & Bender, LLP is a Chicago-based law firm that represents clients in complex family law matters, including divorce and child-related legal issues. The firm is led by Molly E. Caesar and Michael Ian Bender, both of whom are deeply committed to helping families handle legal challenges with practical guidance and a focus on long-term well-being. With decades of combined experience, the firm is committed to minimizing conflict and guiding clients through legal challenges with clarity and care. Embed: GMB: Email and website Email: mbender@ Website: Media Contact Company Name: Caesar & Bender, LLP Contact Person: Michael Ian Bender Email: Send Email Phone: (312) 815-6141 Address: 150 N Michigan Ave #2130 City: Chicago State: IL 60601 Country: United States Website:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Court document reveals details in Chicago man's alleged sexual abuse of teen girl at chiropractor's office
The Brief Victor Reynolds, 36, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 17-year-old girl. The teen says Reynolds touched her inappropriately during a massage at a Glenview clinic. Reynolds allegedly harassed the teen by phone for months before confronting her in person. COOK COUNTY — A Chicago man is accused of inappropriately touching a teenage girl during a massage at a northwest suburban chiropractor's office and harassing her by phone for months. What we know Victor Reynolds, 36, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse after a 17-year-old girl told police he inappropriately touched her during a chiropractic massage at ChiroMend Natural Health Center in Glenview on April 28. The teen, who had been receiving regular chiropractic treatment, reported that while she was lying on her stomach, Reynolds rubbed her buttocks with his hands, making skin-to-skin contact. When she flipped onto her back at his request, she said he continued massaging her legs and then moved his hands under her underwear, touching the top of her vagina with his fingers. According to prosecutors, this wasn't the first time Reynolds touched her buttocks during sessions. Prosecutors say Reynolds also harassed the teen by phone between January and May, calling her several times every day from blocked or unknown numbers. He never revealed his identity over the phone. At first, he didn't speak and just breathed heavily, according to prosecutors. However, he eventually told her "you know who this is." At some point, the calls allegedly escalated to him making lewd comments and propositions before he finally asked her to meet at a local train station where he confronted her in person. After the April massage incident, the teen told someone about what had happened. Within a week, she and that person reported it to social workers at her high school and her mother, and then to police. She later identified Reynolds during a forensic interview and picked him out of a photo lineup. Social workers and the person she confided in also gave statements to authorities that matched the girl's account. Reynolds was arrested last week, on Wednesday. He asked for a lawyer and did not make any statements to police. Dig deeper Authorities said Reynolds has no license to practice massage therapy in Illinois and never held one. He also has a history of similar behavior. In 2018, he allegedly touched a 59-year-old woman's breasts and twisted her nipples while working at another chiropractic clinic. In 2019, he was accused of rubbing a 28-year-old woman's vagina with his fingers while working as a contract masseur. At that point, he was charged in both incidents and convicted of battery in connection with the 2019 case. What's next Reynolds, who is now charged with a Class 1 felony, is being held at the Cook County Jail. He appeared in court on Thursday and is due back on July 3 in Skokie. The Source The information in this article was obtained from a court document and provided by the Glenview Police Department.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Man, 18, killed in rollover crash on Eisenhower Expressway
A man was killed in a rollover crash Saturday night on the Eisenhower Expressway. Illinois State Police said troopers responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash shortly after 10 p.m. on eastbound I-290 at Leavitt Street. Initial reports said the vehicle traveled onto the shoulder and struck a curb, causing the vehicle to roll over. The passenger was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Noah Alicea by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. The driver of the vehicle was not hurt. No further information was immediately available.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Boy, 12, dead after being pulled from water at Willow Springs campground
A 12-year-old boy is dead after being pulled from the water at a campground Friday night in Willow Springs. A Cook County Forest Preserve spokesperson said around 7:43 p.m., a dive team from the North Palos Fire Department and Water Rescue Team responded to Camp Bullfrog Lake at 9600 Wolf Road, where they retrieved the boy, who was unresponsive. He was taken to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 8:30 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the child as 12-year-old Asael Gonzalez-Guel of Willow Springs. According to the spokesperson, witnesses said the boy and his 9-year-old brother were in the lake after one of them slipped in. Visitors fishing on the bank of the lake were able to pull the younger brother out of shallower water. No further information was immediately available.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
How air quality is monitored as Canadian wildfire smoke continue to occupy Chicago
How officials are using machines to monitor air quality in Chicago How officials are using machines to monitor air quality in Chicago How officials are using machines to monitor air quality in Chicago Despite better air on Friday in Chicago, the city remains under an air quality alert. It remains among the most unhealthy in the world due to the wildfires burning in Canada. So, how is air quality measured here in the city? Air monitor officials are using machines to help track what residents have been warned about for days—hazy skies in Chicago, air that's still behind alerts made possible by machines. "That's a real-time instrument that's collecting real-time data." Renante Marante with the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability described how they work. "When you see smoke, there's particulates in the air, right? These instruments basically detect the concentration of those particulates," he said. Standing in front of one of the 12 sites their office oversees, thanks to federal funding. "It's small enough to get deep in your lungs and cause all kinds of health issues," Marante said. It's been a busy couple of days for his office. Chicago's air quality has been among the worst in the world this week because of the wildfires still raging in Canada, where have been dozens of active fires and over 33,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. At least two deaths were reported. Scientists and climate experts have said our changing climate is contributing to this, and impacts, like what we are seeing now, will occur more often moving forward. While Friday's air quality is better, it's still a concern for children, teens, the elderly, and those with certain health conditions. Anyone can visit the AirNow website and see information from the equipment used to monitor air quality. "It's part of a larger air monitoring network in the Chicagoland area," Marante said.
