Injustice Watch Staff
Our team of investigative reporters, editors, residents, and interns examine issues of equity and justice in the Cook County court system.
Posted inArchive
Wash Post: “Perfect storm of deceit”
What distinguished the McDonald case, which has now triggered the federal investigation, is that the officer’s actions appear so outrageous, the city’s coverup so blatant and the official line so thoroughly discredited by the release of a video , which Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s (D) administration tried so hard to keep under wraps.
Posted in2016 Primary
Dear Candidate: Are you a Communist?
Of the 78 candidates for various Cook County Circuit court seats in next March’s election, all but five took a curious oath.
Posted inBad Judgment
Illinois Courts Commission: What Makes for a Serious Case
The Courts Commission is the seven-member body that decides on what, if any, discipline to impose for judicial misconduct, once it is charged by the Judicial Inquiry Board.
Posted inBad Judgment
Illinois Courts Commission: A System Borne from Scandal
The Illinois system of disciplining judges first was enacted in 1970, after two state Supreme Court Justices, Ray Klingbiel and Roy J. Solfisburg Jr., fell under scrutiny for having acquired shares in a new Chicago bank just before they took part in deciding a case in favor of one of the bank’s executives.
Posted inBad Judgment
Joseph C. Polito, Will County Associate Judge
Polito was suspended by the Illinois Courts Commission for 60 days in 2013. Polito retired from the bench in July this year and is now collecting a monthly pension of $6,415.78.
Posted inBad Judgment
Kurt P. Klein, DeKalb County Circuit Judge
Kurt P. Klein of DeKalb County became an associate judge in 1995, and was appointed to an open circuit judge seat in 2001. He won election for a full term the following year, and retired from the bench in 2012.
Posted inBad Judgment
William G. Schwartz, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge
First District Circuit Judge of Jackson County, was appointed as associate judge in 1986, then appointed to a vacancy on the circuit court before winning election to that seat in 1992. In 2001, the Judicial Inquiry Board filed a complaint over Schwartz’ decision to bar Southern Illinois Law School students from serving in his courtroom, after his stepson’s application to enroll there was denied.
Posted inBad Judgment
Douglas J. Simpson, Cook County Associate Judge
Five years after being appointed as a Cook County associate judge in 2005, Simpson participated in an ex parte conversation involving another judge and a business owner whom Simpson had talked to about detailing his vehicle. Simpson received a censure for the misconduct. Simpson is retired from the bench, is registered to practice law in Illinois and will receive $73,449.36 in Illinois pension this year.