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Judicial candidate chaos reined in

July 18, 2011
WBEZ

By Kristen McQueary

A bill Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed aims to limit the chaotic nature of judicial candidate filings in Cook County.

Under the new law (Senate Bill 1586), candidates for judge will no longer be allowed to file for multiple races. Historically, the dozens of judicial candidates who run for office collect signatures and file in several races – a subcircuit, a countywide district, an appellate seat and so on – and then withdraw from all but one during the final stretch of the filing period.

Kirk nominates ex-prosecutor for federal judge

July 6, 2011
Chicago Tribune

 By Rick Pearson

Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk on Tuesday recommended former federal prosecutor John Tharp for a seat on the federal bench in Chicago.

Pay Frozen, More New York Judges Leave Bench

July 4, 2011
New York Times

 By William Glaberson

There is perhaps no more fitting finale to a long legal career than a judgeship. Ascending the bench after years appearing before it can bring power, respect, personal satisfaction, reasonable hours and, often, free parking. There have traditionally been few steps beyond: Retirement. Or death.

A Call for Transparency: Illinois Judicial Vacancies Should Be Made Public

June 24, 2011
Chicago Appleseed Project

 When an Illinois judge quits or retires before the end of her term, Article VI, Section 12 of the Illinois Constitution allows the Illinois Supreme Court to select her replacement. This process happens behind closed doors --the vacancy is not announced publicly and there is no public notice period. Once appointed, these interim judges stand a greater than 70% chance of election. Astonishingly, more than one-third of current Illinois judges were originally Supreme Court appointees, making interim appointment a de facto path to a lifetime on the bench.

Panel makes circuit judge recommendations

June 24, 2011
Peoria Journal Star

By Andy Kravetz

 Respect and the willingness to listen are crucial qualities to three people who sat this week on a committee to help select a new circuit judge.

The 17 committee members, representing the community at large and the legal profession, met Tuesday night. For three hours they discussed seven candidates for the position, held by Peoria County Circuit Judge Glenn Collier, who is filling a spot created last fall when Judge Richard Grawey retired.

Cloud Over the Court (Editorial)

June 22, 2011
New York Times

The Supreme Court is not bound by the code of conduct for federal judges, but justices have said they follow it voluntarily. Justice Clarence Thomas, however, does not appear to believe that he needs to adhere to those rules.



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