Arthur N. Hamilton, 93, the former presiding judge of Cook County Juvenile Court, passed away on Christmas Day at his home is south suburban Hazel Crest.

Originally from New Orleans, Judge Hamilton was born into poverty and worked his way through Chicago-Kent Law School. In 1971, he was elevated to the bench as head of what was then called the Neglected and Dependent Children division of the Juvenile Court. In 1981, he was appointed presiding judge of the nation's second-largest juvenile court. He held that position until February 1992, when he retired at the age of 75.

Read the full obituary in the Chicago Tribune