CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An organization representing judges across Illinois is raising the alarm about what they see as political attacks against some judges because of unpopular rulings.
Sitting judges on different courts have been targeted by negative ads and news conferences, and—arguably—some of the motives have been political. Judges made decisions one interest group or another differed with.
The head of the Illinois Judges Association will not talk about specific cases, but they’re out there.
Regular Cook County Democrats are campaigning against the retention of Judge Michael Toomin, who appointed a special prosecutor to investigate how State Attorney Kim Foxx handled the Jessie Smollett case. And Business Groups complain that Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride is a consistent vote for organized labor.
Circuit Court Judge Diane Shelly, President of the Judges Association, said political issues should not affect the courts.
"We try to keep our eye on what the precedent in a particular area and render opinion based on facts in light of the legal precedent; but that kind of pressure is something we cannot ignore," she said.
This week, the Illinois Judges Association has issued a statement in support of independent judges.
Still, many judges are elected. Judge Diane Shelly was asked if that doesn't make them political, in a way?
"We have to talk about the elephant in the room. I hear what you are suggesting. In order to get elected, become a judge, you have to go through the election just like any other elected official. But that process is not intended to influence our opinion. It's a vetting process," Shelly said.
Once they are on the bench, they should judge cases on the law, and people should judge them on that.
Judge Shelly said voters should educate themselves about judges and qualifications. She hopes, political pressures won’t play a big role. But, she admits, they sometimes do.
Read the full Illinois Judges Association Statement on Judicial Independence below:
An independent judiciary is central to maintaining the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances that is guaranteed by our Constitution and essential for preserving the basic principles of democracy. Judicial independence is the foundation of fair and competent decision making based on facts and law, without regard to outside pressure or political influence.
Judges have increasingly become the focus of political attacks for unpopular rulings, often by well-funded special interests. These attacks threaten the legitimacy of the judicial branch and erode public confidence in each judge’s ability to render impartial outcomes.
At every level of our judiciary, from the U.S. Supreme Court to our local circuits in Illinois, we support judges’ dedication to public service and their commitment to judicial independence.
Hon. Diane Shelley, President
Hon. Barbara Crowder, 1st Vice President
Hon. Eileen O’Neill Burke, 2nd Vice President
Hon. David Overstreet, 3rd Vice President
Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts, Secretary
Hon. Elizabeth Rochford, Treasurer