Each year, National Hispanic American Heritage Month celebrates the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and their influence on U.S. history.
To recognize this month, we spoke with three Latina judges who are making an impact in the Illinois legal community.
In this spotlight, we hear from Cook County Circuit Court Judge Araceli R. De La Cruz, who was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court and sworn in on January 6, 2022.
Judge De La Cruz’s parents were born in Puerto Rico and raised her in Chicago. She received a bachelor’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and her J.D. from UIC Chicago School of Law, formerly The John Marshall Law School.
Before being appointed to the bench, Judge De La Cruz was the General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for Acero Schools, Chief of General Prosecutions at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations, and Chief Safety and Security Officer at the Chicago Transit Authority. She began her career as an Assistant State’s Attorney.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law and eventually become a judge?
Growing up, there were no attorneys in my family or among their friends, so the concept of being a lawyer, or even a judge, did not feel familiar or tangible. My mother was an avid fan of “Perry Mason,” and that was my introduction to the legal profession. I was drawn to the art of using oral and written skills to advocate for someone or a cause.
While an evening student in law school, I worked as a Victim Witness Advocate for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO). I had a bird’s eye view of how criminal cases unfold in our court system and the roles of a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge.
Becoming a prosecutor with the CCSAO after law school seemed like a natural progression from Victim Witness Advocate. I considered it an honor and privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of representing the “people” of Cook County.
It was during my years as an Assistant State’s Attorney that I started to take note of certain judges I encountered and the way they made decisions that impacted lives on a daily basis.
I was inspired by their compassion, integrity, preparation, and legal acumen. I knew from an early point in my legal career that my long-term goal was to serve the citizens of Cook County from the bench with the same positive attributes.
How do you manage a work-life balance?
I try to manage my work-life balance with a bit of advance preparation, planning, and ensuring that I honor transition times.
Instead of staying at my desk late into the evening to read case law or draft an opinion, I know that I can do it at home after dinner with my family and after getting my son to basketball practice, so I take the work with me.
I also keep everything logged in a calendar so I know when certain hearings or opinion due dates are approaching, and I can then set aside time to start preparing in advance.
I believe taking steps toward well-being is very important as a judge. If we come to the bench hungry, tired, or stressed, it will have an impact. A judge’s energy sets the tone for a courtroom.
When we are our best selves, we’re more focused and patient, and we have the stamina to move things along calmly but efficiently. Most people are stressed when they come to court for a variety of reasons; seeing a stressed or agitated judge on the bench only compounds that negative energy.
I stretch and take short walks throughout the day, and I try to keep healthy snacks in my chambers — although the occasional chocolate chip cookie will make an appearance!
How can judges help advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession?
Judges can help advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession in many ways. In the courtroom, judges can be mindful to not treat all cases and parties with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead, they can take a moment to recognize that different parties may need different support or resources in their pursuit of justice.
Additionally, in the courtroom, judges can demonstrate inclusivity by ensuring everyone is treated with respect, has an opportunity to be heard, and refrains from discourteous behavior.
Outside of the courtroom, judges from diverse backgrounds can advance diversity by mentoring young law students and engaging with their community.
Personally, I enjoy mentoring law students through the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and coordinating visits from Latinx judges to schools with predominantly Latinx students during the Illinois Judges Association’s annual “Judges Go to School Day” on Lincoln’s birthday.
By engaging aspiring Latinx lawyers — or even second graders — I hope to help make the legal profession come alive and feel familiar to them.
Our Professionalism Spotlight recognizes legal professionals throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews here.
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