Pursuant to action taken by the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Circuit Judge Mauricio Araujo and Associate Judge Richard D. Schwind have been reassigned to administrative duties, according to a press release from the court.
The assignments are effective until further notice.
The committee is aware of a complaint that Judge Araujo made inappropriate remarks while performing judicial duties. The committee referred Araujo to sexual harassment training and counseling, and the committee referred the matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board.
The committee is also aware of a complaint that Schwind made an inappropriate remark while on the bench. The committee referred Judge Schwind to sensitivity training, and the committee referred the matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board.
A reassignment of this nature is the strongest action that the Executive Committee can take regarding a judge's assignment status in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Illinois Constitution requires that any official action beyond that is left to the Judicial Inquiry Board and the Illinois Courts Commission.