Background
We, the undersigned concerned citizens of the United States, submit this petition to urge Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans to take immediate action to investigate the handling of Case #2022D279025 (Applewhite v. Anderson) by Judge Iris Y. Chavira in the Domestic Relations Division.

This case has raised grave concerns about constitutional due process violations, abuse of discretion, retaliation, economic oppression, and long-term judicial overreach. The heart of this issue is: 1) allocated parenting time that is allocated to Jamaal, but not enforced; 2) a prolonged and procedurally improper plenary order of protection that has now lasted well beyond the statutory two-year limit; and 3) violation of Jamaal's due process rights to a evidentiary hearing for temporary parenting rights.

Violation of Illinois Law on Enforcement of Parenting Time

According to Illinois law governing the Abuse of Allocated Parenting Time (750 ILCS 5/607.5), “The court shall provide an expedited procedure for the enforcement of allocated parenting time.”

Despite this statutory mandate:

• On September 22, 2022, Jamaal filed a Petition for Parenting Time and Rights when his son was 3 weeks old.
• On November 3, 2022, he filed a Motion for Temporary Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
• Judge Edward Arce referred the matter to Judge Iris Chavira to be heard at an evidentiary hearing.
• On July 10, 2023, Judge Chavira scheduled that evidentiary hearing, nearly 10 months after the original filing.
• However, rather than hold the hearing, on August 18, 2023, the court entered a temporary parenting time order without conducting any evidentiary proceedings. The written order was filed on August 23, 2023, after the parties spent several days negotiating its terms without coming to an agreement.

Judge Chavira subsequently issued a holiday parenting time order on August 28, 2024, allowing Jamaal to have supervised birthday parenting time with his son on August 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., supervised by Louis Sanchez. Ms. Anderson was ordered to deliver the child to Mr. Sanchez (or his employee) at the curb of Jamaal’s residence.

Despite this order being in place, Judge Chavira has refused to enforce the parenting time that was already allocated - effectively nullifying Jamaal’s right to even supervised visitation, including the opportunity to celebrate his son’s birthday.

This is a clear violation of 750 ILCS 5/607.5, which demands an expedited and enforceable process for addressing parenting time. The court’s failure to act has denied a father and child the ability to bond and communicate during critical early years, contributing to long-term emotional and developmental harm.

Violation of Illinois Law: Improper Order of Protection Duration
According to Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60/220), an order of protection “shall be valid for a fixed period of time not to exceed two years” unless otherwise extended by court order after proper notice and justification.

In this case, a plenary order of protection issued on October 19, 2022, remains active against this father, Jamaal Applewhite, despite:

• No findings of physical abuse, threats, or harassment;
• A lack of evidentiary hearing establishing imminent danger or risk; and
• The order exceeding its statutory time limit by ~10 months without sufficient legal basis.

This constitutes a clear abuse of judicial discretion and a violation of state law.

Constitutional and Structural Concerns
Denial of Due Process
In lieu of allowing Jamaal to argue for temporary parenting rights, Judge Chavira twice coerced him into an order as if it was an “agreed” order. This established a status quo that largely prejudicial and not in his son’s best interest.

Retaliatory Actions and Intimidation

Though protected under law, Jamaal has seemingly been subjected to increased judicial obstruction and risk of further retaliation after taking the following actions:

• Filing a complaint with the ARDC against a former attorney involved in the case.
• Petitioning for a Substitution of Judge for Cause due to Judge Chavira’s biased and harmful rulings.
• Preparing to file a formal complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Board (JIB) against Judge Chavira.

Procedural Bias and Unequal Treatment

The judge has shown consistent bias in favor of the respondent by prioritizing her motions while delaying or striking the petitioner’s filings, denying him fair opportunity to be heard and participate in their child's upbringing. Judge Chavira has reportedly issued improper gag orders and engaged in ex parte communications, further limiting transparency and undermining due process. Her failure to rule on Mr. Applewhite’s Application for Waiver of Fees, while imposing an unequitable portion of court-related and childcare costs, obstructs access to justice.

Neglect of Emergency Parenting and Medical Needs

Judge Chavira has refused to rule on multiple motions for temporary parenting time despite critical concerns, including lead exposure, developmental delays, and blocked access to Early Intervention services, thereby impeding the child’s right to essential medical support.

The minor child in this case resides in Roseland, a South Side Chicago neighborhood disproportionately burdened by poverty, violence, and environmental hazards. Judge Chavira’s refusal to prioritize the child's medical evaluations contradicts the aims of the Chicago Department of Public Health's 2025 Strategic Plan, which seeks to close the city's 11.4-year racial life expectancy gap.

Misapplication of Court Divisions
This custody case was initiated by Mr. Applewhite in Domestic Relations court. However, the case was diverted into the Domestic Violence court, where an emergency order of protection was issued without notice or evidence, wrongly associating him with criminal behavior, and leveraged to restrict his entitled parenting time.

Professional, Educational, and Familial Harm
The continued enforcement of this order has:

• Blocked Mr. Applewhite from completing his graduate degree in early childhood education;
• Stigmatized him in background checks, blocking employment and adoption; and
• Prevented him from parenting his child during critical years.

Lack of Impartiality and Equity
Judge Chavira’s public statements, including her 2022 Chicago Bar Association profile, raise concerns about impartiality, “Integrity and compassion. Do the right thing for the right reasons, even if there’s no audience.”

Her public image is inconsistent with courtroom conduct marked by silencing, financial punishment, and procedural neglect. The lack of racial and gender diversity in courtroom decision-making further exacerbates the appearance of bias.

Call to Action
We respectfully call on Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans to:

1. Review Judge Chavira’s rulings for legal violations.
2. Terminate the unlawful order of protection.
3. Remove Judge Chavira from the case.
4. Restore Mr. Applewhite’s parental rights.
5. Protect litigants from retaliation when engaging in oversight processes.

Why This Petition Matters to the Public
Every citizen deserves equal protection under the law. When courtrooms punish or misrepresent those seeking justice, the entire legal system loses credibility.

Misuse of protective orders undermines both public trust and the protections offered to actual victims of domestic violence. Unchecked judicial power threatens us all.