The Chicago Tribune reported today (October 1, 2012) that, since 2000, Cook County judges have sealed (made secret) hundreds of court files, some without reason or proper justification.
Illinois Appellate case law highly discourages the practice of sealing files. Where done, the rationale should be given and only those portions of the record with sensitive information should be sealed- not the entire file as many of the judges have ordered. Sealing court files is often without justification and done to protect the interests of some of the most powerful persons or institutions in the City.
Hopefully, this expose will make judges think twice before sealing records.
Keeping settlements secret is also a trend amongst defense attorneys who ask that all details of a settlement be kept confidential. Our firm is opposed to such practices as the public has a right to know what is going on in the judicial system. For example, if a doctor has committed medical malpractice, the public has a right to know that fact which may be of importance to patients deciding whether or not to seek care from that doctor.