In 1990, a coalition of minority groups in the Illinois General Assembly (African-Americans, Hispanics, and Republicans) banded together to divide Cook County into 15 subcircuits, with 11 judges to be elected from each, as vacancies became available. These positions were made available by eliminating the former method of electing judges from the City only or the suburbs only. As judges elected from the City-only or the suburbs-only left office, Additional Judgeships A, B, and sometimes C were added on the ballot in the various subcircuits.
Each of these historic minorities thought that a subcircuit system would increase their respective numbers on the Cook County bench at the expense of the 'Regular' (read: European-descended) Democrats.
The Republicans were, of course, wrong.
The Subcircuits were drawn using data from the 1990 Census. The first Cook County subcircuit election was held in 1992. There are now only three judges still serving in Cook County who were elected City-only or Suburbs-only.
And the original subcircuit boundaries, drawn with 1990 Census data, have remained unchanged.
But not for long.
H.B. 2625, which will require the redrawing of subcircuit boundaries using 2020 Census data, has now passed both the Illinois House and Senate. It is not ready yet for the Governor's signature because the Senate has added provisions for the redrawing of subcircuit boundaries in the 12th, 16th, 17th, 19th, and 22nd Circuits as well (basically all the collar counties except DuPage, and Boone and Winnebago Counties). It seems likely, however, that the House and Senate versions of the bill will soon be reconciled.
Judges elected from a subcircuit will not be obliged to move if their residence is moved to a different subcircuit by the new map. However, starting with the 2022 election, a candidate for a subcircuit vacancy must be a resident of the redrawn subcircuit in order to qualify for the ballot.
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A WELL-KNOWN RETIRED JUDGE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT COMMENT ON THIS BLOG FROM TIME TO TIME WITH AN INITIALED USER NAME HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS EFFORT. MAY GOD BLESS HER AND CHIEF SPONSOR LUIS ARROYO FOR GETTING THIS DONE.
Hello all and especially to ALL CAPS.
I would like to add that in the senate, the chief sponsor was Senator Iris Martinez.
So we have both State Rep. Luis Arroyo and State Senator Iris Martinez to thank for working tirelessly on House Bill 2625.
And yes, that well know retired judge was in Springfield this past Thursday when the bill passed in the senate on a 38 to 19 vote. After all, it's her baby.
It is now in what is called "concurrent (or reconciliation) status" where the house has to approve the amendment attached in the senate so that both chambers agree on the language before it goes to the governor for his signature. I can't wait.
If HB-2625 becomes law, that retired judge (and a lot of her judicial and political friends) will be in Springfield for the official gubernatorial signing ceremonies.
That's it for now folks. As always, E.P.
Can’t wait to see some of these boundaries. Madigan will be certain that no portions of what is now 3 will be given up to 2 or 4.
Watch Madigan try to cut into 14 now that Burke is weakened by the federal criminal charges.
Hey Circuit Judges!
If Schwind, Panici, Claps, Stephenson or Petrone get retained, then JAPAC will target the criminal judges for retention in 2020 — all of you. No more will complacent judges who refuse to use their political muscle intelligently be tolerated.
Hey JAPAC! If you keep threatening us, we will start granting those motions to dismiss and denying PC’s so Loevy, Bonjean and Romanicci can’t make their millions off the taxpayers. You too Shiller.
Jack - Are Anonymous of May 27 and Anonymous of May 28 the same person trying to start a fight with him/her self?
So some of you are just starting to figure out that there are only 3-4 people who actually post comments, mostly to stir up mess.
BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES TODAY, ON TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO SIGN
Madigan will be the new boss of 3 and 14. Burke who?
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