A teacher guilty of child pornography, Illinois mandates a six year minimum sentence. So how could judge Joe McGraw decide to give him zero jail time?
[McGraw]: So I would take the file folder, go back in chambers, and I’d lay it on the floor then I would lay on top of that file, and I’d pray and pray and pray until God gave me leading [on] what to do, and then I’d come back out and give my ruling.
* Lee Enterprises’ Illinois political reporter Brenden Moore…
“Eric Sorensen just demonstrated how out-of-touch and elitist he truly is by insulting tens of thousands of Illinoisans who believe in the power of prayer. I’ll never apologize for putting my faith and hope in God, and using that faith to make serious decisions whether as a Judge or member of Congress. This campaign has never been about politics, but the values of our district not being represented in Congress. What better example is there than our own Congressman attacking the use of prayer? He mocks the values we share while promoting his own extreme views.
Everything about Eric Sorensen, from his self-proclaimed bipartisanship to the ‘good neighbor’ image he tries to project, is an act. The real Eric Sorensen is flat-out extreme, and unfit to represent us in Congress.
He supports providing sex change drugs and life-altering sex change operations to young children.
He has hosted drag shows for children exposing them to sexually explicit content and supports allowing biological men to share restrooms with young girls.
He is on the record joking about rape.
And he posted images on his secret Facebook account referring to police officers as ‘bastards’ and ‘fascist pigs’. Needless to say Illinoisans will not be lectured on values by this elitist politician who would be wise to drop the facade and go run for office in Los Angeles or New York City where folks are just as out-of-touch as him.
As far as being soft on crime goes, Eric Sorensen can try to fool voters with a deceptive ad about a decades old case that was decided through a plea agreement before sentencing. Throughout my life I’ve prosecuted and brought justice to criminals while always supporting survivors. I’ll put that record up against reading weather reports any day of the week.”
Ouch. The process the judge describes himself as following is the real gut punch. I can imagine the folks developing the ad had several cases to choose from as the frame.
A solid “A” for impact. While I can imagine that there are some folks who would approve of Judge Joe’s method, most would prefer he follow the law as written and passed.
Rating D-
Judge Joe McGraw’s methods to rule on a case involves laying on the floor and praying for answer. What.
His methodology reminds me of when I was in college. I placed my physics textbook under my pillow and hoped the content would sink in while I slept. It didn’t work.
Judge McGraw might reconsider his career path to Congress.
You seem quite confused here @Rudy’s. So, even though I think this is a great ad to show McGraw should be separated from any important decision-making, maybe the ad fails in that it confuses people (and most people do only half-listen to the ads). But yeah, I’d do more ads clarifying this point and really drive it home so people understand this guy is unfit.
It’s a very good ad, kind of two for the price on one, and the light sentence part (even if the prosecution was okay with the deal, he could have said no). The whole lay down and pray over the file, while perhaps appealing to those who would never vote for Sorensen, will make many folks go “WTBanedWord”?
===So I would take the file folder, go back in chambers, and I’d lay it on the floor then I would lay on top of that file, and I’d pray and pray and pray until God gave me leading [on] what to do, and then I’d come back out and give my ruling. ===
… this is the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard in my life
the transcript needs a [McGraw]: “…” for the last paragraph because like a lot of people at work I just read the transcript at first and waited until I could watch the ad, and the transcript does make it appear like Sorensen is the one saying he’d go lie down on top of the folder.
- Do some of you think that this is a McGraw ad? -
That’s my only beef with the ad, it needs an audio ending linking McGraw to the bizarre clip. If you miss part of it or are only listening it doesn’t tie them together very well.
Rudy is not confused. The spot might attract voters to McGraw as some might think seeking divine intervention is cool.
Yet, the ad features very little of Sorenson’s philosophy other than look at my weird opponent.
Where is Charles Thomas ? Anyone, anyone.
I apologize I just read it and thought Sorensen was judge. So sorry to Sorensen but that judge should not be a judge and it goes to how he makes a decision and not to sentence.
While certainly unorthodox, his words are just another way saying that he cares deeply about making good decisions in tough cases and wrestles with the question of what’s right and wrong.
Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.
I have been operating under the impression that judges can reject plea deals, meaning a judge can reject a plea deal that does not result in a prison sentence for a — teacher — who is in possession of child pornography because they solicited those images from a child who was their student and attempted to entice that student into having sex with them.
Just generally speaking this is one of those “how about we let this person rot in prison” cases for me, not a “let them plea to something that there is substantial evidence occurred and avoid prison” kind of case.
The judge exists to make sure the prosecutor does their job. Light sentencing in this situation seems like something the judge should question. Since he is now running for congress on a tough on crime position, I think that judge does owe us an explanation as to why this specific offender shouldn’t have been in prison for several years.
First, I do not care about a negotiated ruling. That teacher should be in jail. Soliciting a minor for sex is not something to “negotiate.” It is something to punish.
Second, so McGraw is saying he hears God tell him how to rule on each case before him. Apparently, the lawyers arguing are just arguing, and God is ruling, not the Judge. Heaven help anyone who has appeared before this judge. He obviously is abdicating his authority, and hears voices regularly.
I guess there is a third thing.
Is this what we want going on in the U.S. House of Representatives? Representatives lying prostate on the ground, invoking God the tell them what to do?
=I think that judge does owe us an explanation as to why this specific offender shouldn’t have been in prison for several years.=
Well even god can have a bad day.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:56 pm:
Rate the ad an A. Rate former Judge McGraw’s judicial abilities an F if that is what he actually did even once as a sitting judge. To give him the benefit of way, way beyond a reasonable doubt maybe his statement is just bullstuff to attract a certain type of voter.
Judges will take time to reach decisions if needed, but that would involve researching the statutes and case law, reviewing any briefs filed, reviewing the Presentance investigation, etc. considering the type of case. But putting the court file on the floor, laying in top of it and waiting to hear from God? If he had released that clip while he was still a judge, time for JIB.
Wow. Does that work? Just put a bunch of papers on the floor, flop down on top of them and then wait until you hear the voice of God in your head? Does God speak to everyone or only judges? Will this work for religious Democrats too or can only Republicans hear the voice of God in their head.
== While certainly unorthodox, his words are just another way saying that he cares deeply about making good decisions in tough cases and wrestles with the question of what’s right and wrong.
Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.==
No, I don’t think he is saying. It sounds to me like he is looking for an answer from God.
== I’d pray and pray and pray until God gave me leading [on] what to do, ==
It’s not. I think about it and pray about it.
For one thing, at least in my observations, the vast majority of the time, folks get the answer they want from God. I have seen many more people say, ‘God told me to do this’ vs. ‘God said this was a terrible idea.’
The 5$ question is how long it takes him to get his answer from God.
=Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.=
Speaking only for myself, that’s not what I want. I want judges to follow the law and judicial precedent. His guidance should come from books, prior decisions and case law, not god.
Hearsay from McGraw about his opponent v. McGraw’s own words that God regularly intervenes in the legal process.
Look, if this guy hears the voice of God regularly, he is either a prophet, or he is delusional. If a prophet, he should not serve in government. If the latter, he should not serve in government.
I have seen this ad like 6 times in the last 24 hours. It gets creepier every time and I think it may work on another level by activating pro-choice voter sentiment that is disgusted by judges in robes letting their religious beliefs dictate everything.
McGraw’s response sounds like a hit dog hollering. Treating this as an attack on people of faith might work on people who haven’t seen the ad but is a weak explanation for anyone who has seen it.
I don’t envy any of the judges, prosecutors, or defense attorneys in these types of cases and can understand, even if I may not agree, if somebody made a calculation it was better to end this with a plea deal than retraumatize a victim through the trial process.
But even if something like that happened here McGraw can’t offer that nuanced explanation because he’s so concerned about his tough on crime image getting tarnished. So then he just throws out a laundry list of attack lines from his own oppo file he probably doesn’t have money to run his own ads about.
So Sorenson’s premise is that people who pray on important decisions are unfit to hold office, but weathermen who stand under an open umbrella to pretend it is raining are fit to hold office because deception to the public is perfectly fine? 😂
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:09 am:
A good excuse to put out the clip of him saying he prays on top of file folders until God tells him what to do.
Exactly what you want to hear from your judge during a case that impacts your life…
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:11 am:
I am glad Sorensen is running for Congress and not judge. If he wins maybe he can counsel Congressman Gaetz
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:11 am:
Ouch. The process the judge describes himself as following is the real gut punch. I can imagine the folks developing the ad had several cases to choose from as the frame.
A solid “A” for impact. While I can imagine that there are some folks who would approve of Judge Joe’s method, most would prefer he follow the law as written and passed.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:25 am:
I have a very hard believing that God would violate Illinois Supreme Court Rule 2.9 by engaging in the alleged ex parte communication.
– MrJM
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:29 am:
Rating D-
Judge Joe McGraw’s methods to rule on a case involves laying on the floor and praying for answer. What.
His methodology reminds me of when I was in college. I placed my physics textbook under my pillow and hoped the content would sink in while I slept. It didn’t work.
Judge McGraw might reconsider his career path to Congress.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:35 am:
Do some of you think that this is a McGraw ad?
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:41 am:
Forget about Judges, is that how Christians seek inspiration from their god? Spread kiddie porn on the floor and then lie (face down) on the floor?
I think VP candidate Walz has a word for this.
- Strategy Geek - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:44 am:
Wow. Effective Ad. The fact that prosecutors signed off on the deal will be a good comeback for McGraw, but the praying & laying? Weird.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:44 am:
You seem quite confused here @Rudy’s. So, even though I think this is a great ad to show McGraw should be separated from any important decision-making, maybe the ad fails in that it confuses people (and most people do only half-listen to the ads). But yeah, I’d do more ads clarifying this point and really drive it home so people understand this guy is unfit.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:49 am:
It’s a very good ad, kind of two for the price on one, and the light sentence part (even if the prosecution was okay with the deal, he could have said no). The whole lay down and pray over the file, while perhaps appealing to those who would never vote for Sorensen, will make many folks go “WTBanedWord”?
- Suburban Mom - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 11:55 am:
===So I would take the file folder, go back in chambers, and I’d lay it on the floor then I would lay on top of that file, and I’d pray and pray and pray until God gave me leading [on] what to do, and then I’d come back out and give my ruling. ===
… this is the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard in my life
- Suburban Mom - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:00 pm:
the transcript needs a [McGraw]: “…” for the last paragraph because like a lot of people at work I just read the transcript at first and waited until I could watch the ad, and the transcript does make it appear like Sorensen is the one saying he’d go lie down on top of the folder.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:09 pm:
- Do some of you think that this is a McGraw ad? -
That’s my only beef with the ad, it needs an audio ending linking McGraw to the bizarre clip. If you miss part of it or are only listening it doesn’t tie them together very well.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:10 pm:
Rudy is not confused. The spot might attract voters to McGraw as some might think seeking divine intervention is cool.
Yet, the ad features very little of Sorenson’s philosophy other than look at my weird opponent.
Where is Charles Thomas ? Anyone, anyone.
- Isabel Miller - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:20 pm:
== the transcript needs a [McGraw]==
Yep. Added it! Thanks!
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:20 pm:
I apologize I just read it and thought Sorensen was judge. So sorry to Sorensen but that judge should not be a judge and it goes to how he makes a decision and not to sentence.
- jim - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 12:49 pm:
While certainly unorthodox, his words are just another way saying that he cares deeply about making good decisions in tough cases and wrestles with the question of what’s right and wrong.
Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 1:23 pm:
I have been operating under the impression that judges can reject plea deals, meaning a judge can reject a plea deal that does not result in a prison sentence for a — teacher — who is in possession of child pornography because they solicited those images from a child who was their student and attempted to entice that student into having sex with them.
Just generally speaking this is one of those “how about we let this person rot in prison” cases for me, not a “let them plea to something that there is substantial evidence occurred and avoid prison” kind of case.
The judge exists to make sure the prosecutor does their job. Light sentencing in this situation seems like something the judge should question. Since he is now running for congress on a tough on crime position, I think that judge does owe us an explanation as to why this specific offender shouldn’t have been in prison for several years.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 1:39 pm:
As long as the Judge doesn’t lay the documents on a couch.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:03 pm:
A judge that knows how to lay down the law
- H-W - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:19 pm:
OKay, two things.
First, I do not care about a negotiated ruling. That teacher should be in jail. Soliciting a minor for sex is not something to “negotiate.” It is something to punish.
Second, so McGraw is saying he hears God tell him how to rule on each case before him. Apparently, the lawyers arguing are just arguing, and God is ruling, not the Judge. Heaven help anyone who has appeared before this judge. He obviously is abdicating his authority, and hears voices regularly.
I guess there is a third thing.
Is this what we want going on in the U.S. House of Representatives? Representatives lying prostate on the ground, invoking God the tell them what to do?
Separate Church from State.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:20 pm:
=I think that judge does owe us an explanation as to why this specific offender shouldn’t have been in prison for several years.=
Well even god can have a bad day.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:56 pm:
Rate the ad an A. Rate former Judge McGraw’s judicial abilities an F if that is what he actually did even once as a sitting judge. To give him the benefit of way, way beyond a reasonable doubt maybe his statement is just bullstuff to attract a certain type of voter.
Judges will take time to reach decisions if needed, but that would involve researching the statutes and case law, reviewing any briefs filed, reviewing the Presentance investigation, etc. considering the type of case. But putting the court file on the floor, laying in top of it and waiting to hear from God? If he had released that clip while he was still a judge, time for JIB.
- New Day - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 2:57 pm:
Wow. Does that work? Just put a bunch of papers on the floor, flop down on top of them and then wait until you hear the voice of God in your head? Does God speak to everyone or only judges? Will this work for religious Democrats too or can only Republicans hear the voice of God in their head.
As I said, wow.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 3:02 pm:
== While certainly unorthodox, his words are just another way saying that he cares deeply about making good decisions in tough cases and wrestles with the question of what’s right and wrong.
Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.==
No, I don’t think he is saying. It sounds to me like he is looking for an answer from God.
== I’d pray and pray and pray until God gave me leading [on] what to do, ==
It’s not. I think about it and pray about it.
For one thing, at least in my observations, the vast majority of the time, folks get the answer they want from God. I have seen many more people say, ‘God told me to do this’ vs. ‘God said this was a terrible idea.’
The 5$ question is how long it takes him to get his answer from God.
- New Day - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 3:53 pm:
Good response from McGraw but can’t undo the damage of his own words on video.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 3:54 pm:
=Isn’t that what the public wants judges to do - think before deciding rather than shooting from the hip.=
Speaking only for myself, that’s not what I want. I want judges to follow the law and judicial precedent. His guidance should come from books, prior decisions and case law, not god.
- H-W - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 4:45 pm:
Hearsay from McGraw about his opponent v. McGraw’s own words that God regularly intervenes in the legal process.
Look, if this guy hears the voice of God regularly, he is either a prophet, or he is delusional. If a prophet, he should not serve in government. If the latter, he should not serve in government.
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 4:54 pm:
I have seen this ad like 6 times in the last 24 hours. It gets creepier every time and I think it may work on another level by activating pro-choice voter sentiment that is disgusted by judges in robes letting their religious beliefs dictate everything.
McGraw’s response sounds like a hit dog hollering. Treating this as an attack on people of faith might work on people who haven’t seen the ad but is a weak explanation for anyone who has seen it.
I don’t envy any of the judges, prosecutors, or defense attorneys in these types of cases and can understand, even if I may not agree, if somebody made a calculation it was better to end this with a plea deal than retraumatize a victim through the trial process.
But even if something like that happened here McGraw can’t offer that nuanced explanation because he’s so concerned about his tough on crime image getting tarnished. So then he just throws out a laundry list of attack lines from his own oppo file he probably doesn’t have money to run his own ads about.
- Jessica R - Wednesday, Sep 25, 24 @ 5:16 pm:
An October surprise that arrived in September.
- Deb Quilty - Thursday, Sep 26, 24 @ 10:31 pm:
This ad is anti-catholic
- Pat - Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:02 pm:
So Sorenson’s premise is that people who pray on important decisions are unfit to hold office, but weathermen who stand under an open umbrella to pretend it is raining are fit to hold office because deception to the public is perfectly fine? 😂