Judges /
Judicial Conduct
Judges are powerful officials whose decisions can take someone’s home or freedom, overturn or enforce state laws, and correct or perpetuate injustices. We write about judicial conduct and misconduct and the impact judges have on people in Cook County.
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Judge E. Kenneth Wright, who presides over the first municipal district, and Judge Shannon O’Malley were referred for investigation after Injustice Watch reported they had claimed homeowner’s exemptions on houses they owned in Will County.
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We investigated the broken system of accountability for judges in Illinois, which often takes years to play out and rarely leads to serious discipline.
More Judicial Conduct
Reporter’s Notebook: Snapshots from watching 8 Cook County judges at work
As part of our research for our judicial election guide, I observed judges at Cook County’s main criminal courthouse. Here is some of what I saw.
Bar groups reconsider ratings of powerful Cook County judge, citing Injustice Watch report
Running for retention Nov. 5, Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. faces criticism from two prominent bar groups after disclosures of inappropriate tax exemptions he took on a house in Will County. Since the Injustice Watch report earlier this month, the veteran judge moved to rescind the tax breaks.
Two Cook County judges claim homestead exemptions in Will County
One of the judges says he is living apart from his wife, who still lives there; and the other, the presiding judge of the First Municipal District, declined to answer questions. The law requires judges to live in the jurisdiction they serve.
Cook County retention judge under investigation over dispute with attorney
Cook County Judge Ieshia Gray is being accused of bias and unfair treatment by an attorney, after she repeatedly denied his requests for a new judge.
Videos of Cook County judge with massage parlor owner raise ethics questions
Associate Judge Gregory P. Vazquez, who filed papers to retire amid Injustice Watch’s investigation, appears on a police raid body camera with the owner of a Brookfield massage parlor known for unlawful sex work. Vazquez said he was merely giving a friend a ride.
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