SALUTE TO THE HONORABLE GARRITT E. HOWARD
WHEREAS, The Honorable Garritt E. Howard is retiring after more than three decades of service in the Cook County Circuit Courts, first as an Assistant States Attorney for 12 years, then for the past 20 years as a judge; and
WHEREAS, Judge Howard has received high praise from every bar association since his appointment to the bench in 1994 and being elected later that year. He spent two years assigned to the First Municipal District and the rest of his judicial career in the Second Municipal District where he served in felony trial courtrooms and acted as a presiding judge when necessary; and
WHEREAS, A 1982 graduate of Chicago Kent College of Law, Judge Howard is well respected for his keen legal knowledge and unflappable temperament in handling difficult criminal felony cases. A 2012 Judicial Performance Commission Report noted that he knew the law, that he was very consistent, and he was able to articulate his decisions clearly. Some litigants that were interviewed by the commission mentioned that they respected the judge's decisions even when he ruled against them; and
WHEREAS, Judge Howard has tried many high-profile cases that often garner the attention of the media. He manages his courtroom efficiently, moving the daily "call" along. Attorneys that have practiced before him say he makes good use of pretrial conferences, resolving issues and, in many instances, avoiding a trial altogether but was very fair about giving continuances, never rushing through matters that needed more attention; and
WHEREAS, Consistently diligent in the performance of his judicial duties, Judge Howard is always prepared for court and reads everything in the case files, studying all the pertinent information. Blessed with excellent memory, the judge can recall the most detailed facts of a case; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the milestone achieved by this remarkab...
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