How is it that Susan J. McDunn and the candidate she defeated ina 1990 election can both serve as Cook County Circuit Court judges?Until Illinois stops electing judges, this kind of goofy decisionfrom the state courts is possible.
Last Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that McDunn besworn in as a judge - three years after she won a 1990 primaryelection. Although McDunn defeated Judge James H. Williams in thatprimary for Circuit Court judge, she wasn't declared the winner until1992.
It took until 1991 to finish recounting the votes. McDunn wonthat legal round, but Williams appealed the decision. In its greatwisdom, the Illinois Appellate Court decided to create two judgeshipsout of one vacancy and said both should be judges.
Although the Supreme Court has sided with McDunn, Williams willremain on the bench at least until December. He might still be therenext year. To fill vacancies, the Supreme Court recalls judges whohave been defeated in elections or who have resigned.
We've heard of win-win decisions, but this is ridiculous.
No comments:
Post a Comment