Judge Hanke welcomed to Cook and Lake Counties

Kirsten Wisniewski | February 4, 2024

Last October Judge Steven Hanke was appointed to serve as the judge for Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District, which includes the North Shore. WTIP spoke to Hanke about his new role in December. On Feb. 2, both Lake and Cook Counties held official welcomes for the judge, giving him a chance to continue to get to know the communities.

WTIP spoke with Hanke at the event at the Cook County Courthouse. When asked about his impressions now that he is working in the area, Hanke praised what he saw as a community committed to helping each other. He said, “I find that it’s a small, tight knit community in a good way. It’s not a bad thing to have a small, tight knit community where everybody helps each other…and so I’m really impressed with that kind of community. A connection where people are really looking out for each other.”

As far as the job is concerned, Hanke said he’s been getting to know the staff here in Cook County, and particularly said he was looking forward to working with County Attorney Molly Hicken. Hanke said, “The court administration’s great. Molly’s great. I didn’t know her before. She’s been very, very kind and knowledgeable and willing to look at some of these matters in a creative way. She shares my view on restorative justice and definitely wants to see what we can do in this community.”

About twenty people attended the event, including county employees and community members.