On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, CBS News reported that Judge Patrick Murphy, a child protection judge in Cook County, is facing an ethics complaint filed by the Cook County State’s Attorney. The complaint stems from Murphy’s practice of giving gifts to foster children who appear in his court.

Murphy communicated his response to the complaint in a letter to Chief Judge Timothy Evans. He stated that he would cease giving gifts while the Judicial Inquiry Board investigates the matter. The state’s attorney’s office contends that it is unethical for him to provide gifts selectively to some children but not to others.

In his letter, Murphy expressed his commitment to supporting children who have faced significant hardships, describing the challenges they endure as a result of systemic issues such as poverty and historical injustices. He noted that approximately 95% of the cases he encounters stem from severe and persistent poverty, which affects both the children and their families.

Murphy openly acknowledged that he has given gifts and outlined several instances. For example, he provided $300 to a foster parent to purchase Christmas gifts for her two foster children. This foster parent, who has two biological children, is employed as a house cleaner and is learning English while facing difficulties in adopting the foster children due to bureaucratic delays from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Another case mentioned involved a 20-year-old man who had been under the court’s guardianship for much of his life. Murphy promised him financial assistance for achieving specific goals, giving him $100 when he enrolled in Truman College. Additionally, he aided a family of five from Venezuela, who were living in dire conditions, by providing $60-$80 after court appearances to help them buy meals.

Murphy also paid for a YMCA membership for a 14-year-old boy after DCFS declined to fund it. Following this, he recused himself from the boy’s case to assist him and his grandmother in finding new housing after she was evicted from her Section 8 residence. He provided the boy with items such as football cleats and a bicycle to support his athletic pursuits.

In another instance, Murphy promised a young boy a pro-style football if he attended summer school to graduate from eighth grade. Despite the ongoing complaint, he encouraged court officials to consider providing the gift if the boy fulfilled his educational commitment.

CBS News Chicago consulted a source who indicated that while judges typically refrain from giving gifts to litigants to maintain neutrality, the context of the Child Protection Division differs from criminal courts. The proceedings in this division are not adversarial, and judges are acting in the best interests of the children involved.

The office of Chief Judge Timothy Evans stated that the Judicial Inquiry Board’s proceedings are confidential and did not provide additional comments. They referenced Rule 5(a) of the Board, which states that all materials and information related to potential judicial misconduct are legally confidential.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office also declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

 

 

Source: CBS News