Anne Burke moves up to chief justice
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* They take turns being chief every few years, but this is obviously not a good look…
* Sun-Times…
A request for comment was not immediately returned.
Burke was retained for her first 10-year term in 2008 and again in 2018; she represents the first district, which covers Cook County.
Her husband’s legal troubles have mired her in some controversy as well. In February, days before the election, political consultant Jeffrey Orr, the son of former Cook County Clerk David Orr, filed a complaint with the state’s Judicial Inquiry Board about Justice Burke’s alleged role in a fundraiser for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
In June, Justice Burke drew the ire of Latino and black aldermen for picking Cara Smith, who then worked for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, to replace a retiring black judge in a 7th subcircuit that includes much of the West Side.
- Oy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:29 am:
I could not fathom a better argument for merit selection of judges than the Illinois Supreme Court.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:33 am:
I can’t wait to see the IGOP press release on this one.
- Career Politician 2.0 - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:36 am:
=In February, days before the election, political consultant Jeffrey Orr, the son of former Cook County Clerk David Orr, filed a complaint with the state’s Judicial Inquiry Board about Justice Burke’s alleged role in a fundraiser for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.=
Didn’t the Judicial Inquiry Board clear her of those allegations?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-anne-burke-judicial-inquiry-20190425-story.html%3foutputType=amp
- Plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:38 am:
And one wonders why many people believe that the fix is in for prominent politicos.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:40 am:
A worthy successor to Mike Bilandic, who was Bernie Neistein’s partner. The Supreme Court building in Chicago is named for Bilandic. Maybe someday they’ll rename it the Bilandic-Burke Building, to honor the rich tradition of the Illinois Supreme Court.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:44 am:
I wonder if it is a secret ballot?
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:47 am:
So much for avoiding the appearance of impropriety
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:48 am:
This headline is worthy of The Onion and says all you need to know about Illinois politics
- NotRich - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:48 am:
Justice Burke is loved and respected by her peers on the Supreme Court.. The current Chief Judge ( A downstate Republican) is her biggest fan.. A top flight jurist, who merits this appointment BY HER PEERS.. I know her personally.. WELL DESERVED..
- Dozer - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:50 am:
This is so Illinois
- A guy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:56 am:
On her own merits, it’s easy to argue this is well deserved.
But awkward? Oh yeah.
- Bourbon Street - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 10:57 am:
The ILSC is sticking with its practice of how a Chief Justice is selected. A new CJ is sworn in every three years in order of seniority but alternating between Cook County justices and the rest of the court. Thomas, Garman, Karmeier, and Kilbride (all non-Cook justices) have already served as CJ. Since Karmeier is presently the CJ, the next CJ is supposed to be from Cook. Burke is the most senior justice from Cook. Neville is appointed to his spot and has to win next November to continue on the ILSC.
It would be nice if the ILSC issued a press release explaining their procedure so that public confidence in the courts is not eroded.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:00 am:
I wonder if we will have to wait until the Feds convict Ed Burke to pursue the claim of judicial impropriety against Ann Burke. Here is Cannon 5(c)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct:
“(4) Neither a judge nor a member of the judge’s family residing in the judge’s household should accept a gift, bequest, favor, or loan from anyone except as follows:
(a) a judge may accept a gift incident to a public testimonial to the judge; books supplied by publishers on a complimentary basis for official use; or an invitation to the judge and the judge’s spouse to attend a bar-related function or activity devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice;
(b) a judge or a member of the judge’s family residing in the judge’s household may accept ordinary social hospitality; a gift, bequest, favor, or loan from a relative; a wedding or engagement gift; a loan from a lending institution in its regular course of business on the same terms generally available to persons who are not judges; or a scholarship or fellowship awarded on the same terms applied to other applicants;
(c) a judge or a member of the judge’s family residing in the judge’s household may accept any other gift, bequest, favor, or loan only if the donor is not a party or other person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge, including lawyers who practice or have practiced before the judge.”
The federal government has accused a member of Justice Burke’s household of accepting improper financial favors. I don’t see how Justice Burke can survive if her husband goes down. If what the feds allege is true, she benefited financially from her husband’s crimes.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:03 am:
I know people who love her and think she is well qualified. doesn’t mean this isn’t a huge ethical mess.
- Roman - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:07 am:
Not smart, regardless of how good of a judge she is. This only puts a bigger target on her and her family.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:18 am:
Bourbon Street - dude, reality check. Her husband is Alderman Burke, one of the most corrupt politicians in the entire State who has for decades controlled judicial appointments. Niceties like giving powerful positions according to seniority should be thrown out the door WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FREAKIN’ CORRUPTION!!!!
- Indpendent - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:24 am:
Sneedless to say this is a big dilemma. On one hand Sneed must be dying to publicly congratulate her friend. On the other if she does then how does she address the thorny issue with Ed? Tough call.
- Steve - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:25 am:
The bigger question from a legal ethics situation is : is it fair for Anne Burke to hear any case before the Illinois Supreme Court in which her husband voted on an ordinance which is questioned for interpretation or constitutionality ?
https://nalert.blogspot.com/2019/05/he-voted-for-chicago-ordinance-his-wife.html
- Bourbon Street - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:31 am:
Oops. Have to correct a mistake. The ILSC justices do not have to alternate between Cook and non-Cook justices for the position of Chief Justice. It goes by seniority. Burke is the next most senior justice as Thomas, Garman, Karmeier, and Kilbride have already served as CJ.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:35 am:
Let’s all stop dragging the Justice through the mud because of the sins of her husband.
- Bruce (no not him) - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:41 am:
Nothing to see here. It is Illinois after all. Do we not expect this? I do.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:46 am:
===Let’s all stop dragging the Justice through the mud because of the sins of her husband.===
That’s fair.
It’s also fair to wonder if she’d even be on the bench if not for her husband’s influence, particularly in slating judges in Cook County.
- SSL - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:55 am:
Boy it sure is tough to be a high ranking public servant these days. If it isn’t a family member breaking the law and dragging your good name through the mud, it’s one of your close friends you helped get a sweet government gig. Burke, Madigan, Cullerton. I think I see a trend here.
No wonder Illinois is a laughingstock. The fox is in charge of the hen house.
- yeah - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
==It’s also fair to wonder if she’d even be on the bench if not for her husband’s influence, particularly in slating judges in Cook County.==
DING DING DING
Appointed to the appellate court in 1996.
Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2006.
I’m sure that had nothing to do with her husband, who controlled the slating of judges for decades. Nothing to see here, folks.
- Quasar - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:04 pm:
Any bump in pay? She is the breadwinner in the family now.
- Rutro - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:10 pm:
How many recorded phone calls is the new chief judge on?
- Rutro - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:10 pm:
Was she calling his burner phone?
- Merica - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:12 pm:
She is an amazing person. She is a honorable jurist.The State is lucky to have her. She is just getting started.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:18 pm:
All Rise
The Illinois Supreme Court will have a new Chief Justice. Justice Anne Burke will be rising to the new post, another high honor for her and a crowning achievement for a storied career.
A hush-hush dinner was arranged, and then approved by the criminal defense attorneys of her former powerful chairman husband Edward M. Burke. Only close friends who agreed to be frisked for wires shared hors d’oeuvre and drinks, and later a wonderful dinner with each person getting a party favor of a bill for the food and drink they personally consumed.
Both Burkes were over the moon and beaming.
- Steve - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:00 pm:
It will become very interesting if Alderman Ed Burke’s case goes to trial and Anne Burke is on some phone calls played in federal court.
- Enviro - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:14 pm:
According to a Chicago news report Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke was cleared of her alleged role in a fundraiser for Cook County Board President.
- Nobody Sent - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:21 pm:
When was the last time appearances matter in Illinois?
- Rich Hill - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
If the Chief Justice’s husband is convicted, will she consult with William Bulger on how to proceed?
- Sue - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 3:52 pm:
Although unfair to tarnish Justice Burke based on her husband’s conduct- the Code on Judicial conduct will force a difficult decision should Ed Burke be convicted and the conviction upheld on appeal. Having said all that- her resignation or removal is at least 3 plus years off by which time she might retire
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 4:00 pm:
== Although unfair to tarnish Justice Burke based on her husband’s conduct ==
It is totally fair to tarnish Justice Burke based on her husband’s conduct if that conduct is true. Alderman Burke is accused of using his political office as a racketeering organization. That is not normal behavior.
- andrew - Thursday, Sep 12, 19 @ 9:26 am:
I do think the corruption of a spouse is relevant.
I’d also be interested in hearing about any decisions of Burke’s that people question.