Kane County Judicial Center Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Employees at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles recently gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the rich history, cultures and contributions of the Hispanic community.
The event was hosted by Judges René Cruz, who was born in Panama and was Kane County's first Hispanic associate judge; Judge Julio Cesar Valdez, who was born in Mexico and has served on the bench since 2012; Judge Bianca Camargo, the first Latina Circuit Judge in Kane County; Chief Judge Robert Villa, the first Hispanic judge to serve as Kane County Chief Judge; and Judge Sandra Paraga, a first-generation Mexican American who was the first Latina appointed as an associate judge in Kane County.
Judge Paraga thanked the attorneys, public defenders, interpreters, court services staff, bailiffs, sheriff’s deputies and others in attendance, noting that many are Hispanic and all play an important role in supporting people who enter the courthouse and judicial system.
“I think we bring an understanding of the cultures and communities to the courtroom and to the litigants who come before us,” Paraga said. “We serve everyone better when we understand them.”
Chief Judge Villa added that while he became the circuit’s first Hispanic Chief Judge in 2023, the judiciary has included Hispanic judges since 2012. All five Hispanic judges currently serving as Circuit Judges were elected by the public.
“Given the diversity added to our ranks over the past 15 years, it was great to see such a wonderful attendance at today’s 16th Circuit’s inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month event,” Villa said.
One highlight of the gathering was a map where employees could place a pin showing where they or their families trace their heritage.
Just over 34% of Kane County residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census, making it the county's largest minority population.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and celebrates the history, traditions and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Learn more about the 16th Judicial Circuit by signing up for the Kane Courts Quarterly newsletter or for additional infomration go to https://www.illinois16thjudicialcircuit.org/
