2024 Retention Archives

Property records raise new questions about influential Cook County judge

Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. acquired a handful of Chicago homes from the estates of deceased clients when he was a solo law practitioner in the 1990s. Now, two families claim he took advantage of his elderly clients.

by David Jackson December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

A Cook County ballot showing the judicial retention races.

2024 Retention

O’Malley loses retention, becoming third judge in 6 years to be ousted by voters

Voters rejected the judge after Injustice Watch reported he claimed a Will County home as his primary residence and bar associations unanimously recommended against him.

by Kelly Garcia November 21, 2024November 22, 2024

Clips from the order by Chief Judge Timothy Evans referring E. Kenneth Wright and Shannon O'Malley to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

Judicial Conduct

Powerful Cook County judge referred to judicial misconduct board over residency conflicts

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.

by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia November 6, 2024November 6, 2024

2024 Retention

Three Cook County judges close to losing seats following scrutiny

As of Wednesday, one judge was under the vote threshold and two others were in peril, with tens of thousands of potential votes uncounted. All three were the subject of Injustice Watch investigations about their conduct.

by Dan Hinkel November 6, 2024December 19, 2024

2024 Retention

Live Cook County judicial retention election results

Live election results for the November 2024 Cook County judicial elections.

by Injustice Watch Staff November 5, 2024November 20, 2024

Sketch of fresh flowers sitting on an empty judge's bench with an American flag and Illinois state flag in the background.

2024 Retention

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.

by Maya Dukmasova October 24, 2024

2024 Retention

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.

by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

Stacks of Injustice Watch's judicial election guides

2024 Retention

Where to find print copies of our November judicial election guide

We printed 150,000 copies of our judicial election guide for the November 2024 retention election. Here’s where you can find a copy.

by Injustice Watch Staff October 16, 2024October 30, 2024

Illustration of a judge holding a gavel with the city of Chicago on his shoulders with the words "Check your judges" in the sky.

2024 Retention

November 2024 Cook County Judicial Election Guide

Injustice Watch’s guide to the November 2024 Cook County judicial retention elections.

by Injustice Watch Staff October 8, 2024November 20, 2024

2024 Retention

Judges aiming to keep seats in November include some with notable records

Despite tax debts, arrests, and residency questions, judges running for retention in Cook County have drawn little attention and run a quiet — at times evasive — campaign.

by Dan Hinkel October 8, 2024

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