Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Joanne F. Rosado appointed to Kennedy vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit

Corrected 1/25/17

In an order entered yesterday (but not posted until this morning), the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Assistant Cook County Public Defender Joanne F. Rosado to the 11th Subcircuit vacancy created by the recent retirement of Judge Kathleen Kennedy.

Rosado's appointment was made on the recommendation of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. The Court's press release announcing the appointment, posted this morning, can be accessed here. The appointment is effective January 20 and terminates December 3, 2018.

According to the Supreme Court's press release, Rosado joined the PD's office in 2002, and has worked in the Child Protection Division, Felony Trial Division and the Multiple Defendant Division. Rosado was also a sole practitioner in Rosemont from 2002-2010. She has been licensed in Illinois since 2002.

Rosado previously sought an 11th Subcircuit vacancy in the 2014 Primary. She was passed over by slatemakers for an 11th Subcircuit seat in the 2016 election cycle, but was named an alternate.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good news. She will be a good judge. Congrats Joann.

Anonymous said...

February 15, 2013. A historic date in the Illinois judiciary. Does anyone remember why? It was the date that Mary Jane Theis announced the formation of her blue ribbon judicial screening committee. And as we all know, every single one of her judicial appointments has been as transparent as hell and free of secret political influence and horse trading.

Up to this appointment, my favorite work of the Theis committee was the appointment of Judge Fernandez. A certain westside loudmouth State Senator did not get that she should have kept her loud mouth shut and blabbed to everyone in and out of her district how she made a new hispanic judge after a very long drought. Glowing self-praising press releases and awards from the PRBA followed. But everyone involved actually hated each other. But hey, full disclosure, I could be wrong about all of this.

Fast forward to the appointment of future Judge Rosado. This is my new favorite Theis appointment. Why? Because I never really care WHO actually gets appointed, I'm interested in HOW they get appointed. This is Cook County after all. This is a complex one so pay attention. Very hard to get real committeemen consensus in the 11th subcircuit. Oak Park committeeman Don Harmon knows that Oak Park support is the key to winning the 11th so he really felt the need to share or play nice with the other committeemen in the subcircuit. But two unfortunate events occurred: his lap dog, 29th Ward Alderman Deborah Graham lost her election thereby eroding Harmon's combined weighted vote in the subcircuit. And Luis Arroyo became the committeeman of the 36th Ward, which makes up a sizable portion of the 11th subcircuit.

A perfect storm. At the 11th subcircuit slating for the 2016 cycle, Arroyo made a surprise appearance in support of Rosado. She had no chance to get slated over Martin or Sullivan, but Arroyo was not looking for that anyway. He was drawn to the blood in the water. Rosado learned from her past dealings with Harmon. You do not bring a knife to a gunfight. This time she brought a pistola. A deal was cut and Rosado was made an alternate and put in line for the next vacancy.

And the vacancy came. And Arroyo reminded Harmon of their deal. And Harmon, who may not be the brightest bulb in the shed was at least bright enough to know not to tango with Arroyo. And Harmon made the call to 160 N. LaSalle. Harmon had to make the call because if Arroyo made the call Theis would have been heard laughing louder than the Oak Park Tuesday 10am warning siren. And that is how it was done. But hey, full disclosure, I could be wrong about all of this.

This is my new favorite Theis appointment for many reasons. I applaud the transparency and lack of political influence. I love the way the Oak Park committeeman turned white (well, whiter) when Arroyo appeared at slating. Not that this ever matters, but as a plus, I believe Rosado will be a decent judge (for almost two years, anyway). But more than anything, I am absolutely giddy with delight that Theis appointed a hispanic Arroyo candidate without even knowing it. I bet Harmon never told her he was terrified of Arroyo and was protecting his own rear. Ha ha ha ha. Make room on the shelf for another mendacious PRBA award. But hey, full disclosure, I could be wrong about all of this.

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent appointment by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. Rosado has actually been working as an assistant public defender since 2002, I believe the publisher is misinformed. Rosado is a women will excellent character and values, she will make for an excellent judge.

Jack Leyhane said...

Anon 1/24 @4:40 -- I stand corrected. I went back and checked the press release and it does say that Ms. Rosado was both a PD and a sole practitioner for roughly eight years. I've updated accordingly.