News
Illinois Supreme Court fills vacancy of judge who locked grandniece in holding cell
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The subcircuit seat has been vacant since Dec. 7, after Judge Jackie Portman-Brown lost her retention bid.
Judicial Elections
Appeals court reverses this judge more than any other in criminal courts seeking retention
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Kenneth J. Wadas has been reversed 25 times in 6 years — more than any other Cook County criminal court judge on the November ballot running to remain in office.
Judicial Elections
4 judges, 6 years, 98 reversals — and they want you to vote to keep them in office
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Cook County judges Margaret Ann Brennan, Patrick J. Sherlock, Kenneth J. Wadas and Anna Helen Demacopoulos have had rulings reversed on appeal more than 3 times as often as their colleagues.
Projects
Pattern of misstated facts found in opinions of renowned U.S. Judge Easterbrook
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When respected law professor Albert Alschuler said renowned federal appeals court judge Frank Easterbrook engaged in “eight whoppers” in a high-profile case, Injustice Watch undertook a review of the judge’s other cases. The result: A pattern of misrepresenting facts: Misstatements, omissions and wrong assumptions.
Bad Judgment
In Illinois, punishment is slow and lenient for errant judges
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It commonly takes years to act against judges who violate the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, and the punishment seldom is more than a public reprimand, Injustice Watch’s first investigation found.
Bad Judgment
Marriage Court: Cook County’s $180,000 judicial rubber room
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As judicial misconduct investigations drag on, judges in limbo outside courtrooms — with pay.
Capsules
Kurt P. Klein, DeKalb County Circuit Judge
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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.
Capsules
Francis X. Golniewicz III, Cook County Circuit Judge
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Francis X. Golniewicz III first was appointed by the State Supreme Court to a vacant seat in 1991, and then won election three years later as a circuit judge from the 10th sub-circuit encompassing Chicago’s northwest side.
Capsules
Christopher G. Perrin, Sangamon County Associate Judge
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Perrin is an associate judge for Sangamon County. He was appointed to the bench in 2009.
Capsules
James T. Doyle, Kane County Circuit Judge
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James T. Doyle was first named a Kane County Associate Judge in 1989; three years later, he was elected as a Circuit Judge. In 2000, Doyle helped launch the county’s drug court. But in February, 2005, the Judicial Inquiry Board alleged that Doyle had systematically violated the rights of criminal defendants in his drug court, among other acts of judicial misconduct. The charges were dismissed when Doyle resigned from the bench while the charges were pending. Doyle last registered to practice law in 2012 and is now retired, collecting $128,257.08 in his pension this year.