The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Oran F. Whiting to the countywide vacancy about to be vacated by Judge Litricia P. Payne (who is moving to a pending 1st Subcircuit vacancy).Whiting's appointment, like Payne's new appointment, is effective August 7 and terminates on December 3.
FWIW readers will recall that Whiting had previously announced plans to seek a judicial vacancy and that he was among the 28 judicial hopefuls who appeared for the Cook County Democratic Party's pre-slating meeting in June. Among his other career accomplishments, Whiting has served as a Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims, as a hearing officer for the Illinois Secretary of State and, currently, as a member of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois’ Oversight Committee.
Years ago, when I discovered this blog, I thought every aspect of this process was on the up and up. Stupid me. As time went on, I started to question the slating process but thought everything else was on the up and up. Stupid me. Then, as more time went on, I started to question the Associate process. Then, Supreme Court appointments. Now, after reading this Blog for years I do not think ANY aspect of getting to be a judge is on the up and up. Surprisingly, with Supreme Court appointments being the most political and questionable.
ReplyDeleteMy mantra now is do not hate the player; hate the game. And I do hate it. So much so, that as an attorney, I can no longer page through the the monthly CBA or ISBA magazines without almost gagging. Can not turn five pages without seeing a picture of some retired judge handing another judge some meaningless award for engaging in some vague access or commitment to justice activity. It is just all so political from start to finish.
So congratulations new Judge Whiting and may you have a long career with many "important" awards and recognitions and honorary lunches coming your way. When I step before you (and others just like you) I will address you with the dignity and respect and reverence that your position deserves. But I want you to know this: on the inside - I do not hate you nor am I jealous of you - but I do think you are nothing more than a political hack who "earned" your position in the best tradition of Cook County - it was given to you by another political hack. Or, in this case, three political hacks.
He's still got to win it. All the countywides will have opponents, and Oran Whiting isn't that great a ballot name so he'll have to keep hustling from now until March 20th
ReplyDeleteTHIS WAS AMATEURISH - IF THE SUPREME COURT REALLY WANTED TO SHOW OFF THEIR PRESTIDIGITATION, THEY WOULD HAVE
ReplyDelete1) APPOINTED TRISH PAYNE TO THE FIRST SUBCIRCUIT
2) APPOINTED ROBIN SHOFFNER TO PAYNE'S VACANCY
3) APPOINTED CECILIA HORAN TO THE 8TH SUBCIRCUIT IN SHOFFNER'S VACANCY
4) APPOINTED OREN WHITING TO HORAN'S VACANCY
I USED TO THINK THE SUPREME COURT KNEW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME. BOY WAS I WRONG.
Anon 7/28 @ 12:48 makes a great point. He'd have been much better off running for the 1st Subcircuit vacancy--at least there he might get a detectable name bump from black voters more likely to remember Willie Whiting.
ReplyDelete