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In break with past, Justice Burke won’t be swearing in Comptroller Mendoza today

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Illinois

* December 5, 2016…

Democratic Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza is set to be sworn in as Illinois comptroller on Monday, taking the office that controls the state’s checkbook away from a Republican appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Mendoza will take the oath at 10 a.m. in the Capitol rotunda in a ceremony officiated by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke.

Justice Burke swore Mendoza into office on three separate occasions.

* Just the other day…

“I’ve told her that, no matter what I run for, she’s the one and only who could ever swear me in,” Mendoza said of Anne Burke in that inaugural speech, according to a video recording of the [2016] event. “It would just not be special without you. So thank you for being here and and being a part of my life as well. Thank you, Anne.” […]

Despite Mendoza’s promise that she could have it no other way, WBEZ has learned Anne Burke will not be swearing Mendoza in for her new term as comptroller at Monday’s inaugural festivities in Springfield.

Mendoza spokesman Abdon Pallasch said Cook County Circuit Court Judge Rossana Fernandez will do the honors instead. Pallasch said Fernandez is a “longtime friend” of Mendoza.

And state Supreme Court spokesman Christopher Bonjean told WBEZ that he spoke with Anne Burke, and she said Mendoza had invited her to swear her in again — then withdrew that request recently. […]

In a statement released by her office, Mendoza did not address why Anne Burke would not swear her in this time. “I have deep admiration for Anne Burke, but I think it’s best to respect her privacy at this time,” Mendoza is quoted as saying.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:53 pm

Comments

But will Justice Burke be involved in any sworn statements today?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:56 pm
As I see it, Mendoza did Justice Burke a favor. But clearly the good Justice feels slighted.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:05 pm
I personally would have stuck with tradition and had Ann Burke do the swearing in. People like and respect her and are smart eniugh to realize whats going on

Comment by Regular democrat Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:06 pm
I look forward to Michael Sneed’s column on this.

Comment by Anton Cermak RIP Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:09 pm
So Anne is slighted, but she can reschedule her own swearing in as her benefactor husband’s office is raided? Can’t wait to hear her voice on the tapes, hopefully more restrained than Patti. Natch.

Comment by huh Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:22 pm
If Burke isn’t charged with more, Justice Burke is probably fine. If the Feds charge and convict Burke of a lot, it is going to be hard for Justice Burke to say she didn’t know what was going on and didn’t know she was benefiting from her husband’s illegal activity. Then I think she should resign.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:43 pm
You always learn who your real friends are in this business.

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:43 pm
Does Mendoza not know the difference between “controller” and “comptroller”?

Comment by Blago's Hare Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:47 pm
Mendoza lacks class.

Comment by Loyalty Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:50 pm
Regardless of Justice Burke’s professional abilities her current position is the result of fruits from a poisoned vine. She would not be on the bench if not for her husband’s political influence. If he is as crooked as it appears (and folks long have thought) then she should resign.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:53 pm
Flip…flop….flip…flop

Susana slowly reavealing what she’s really like.

No loyalty

Purely political

Flip

Flop

Comment by Belden Ave. Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:04 pm
Machine Mendoza can’t run from the past.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:07 pm
Blago’s Hare: Try looking at a dictionary. It can be pronounced either way.

Comment by Steve Rogers Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:17 pm
Mendoza spokesman Abdon Pallasch , has by now , probably informed Mendoza about his work investigating Alderman Ed Burke when Pallasch worked at the Chicago Sun-Times. Mendoza probably now knows who the late Cook County judge Arthur Cieslik was. Anne Burke and Ed Burke have heard of that name.

Comment by Steve Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:35 pm
The original word Comptroller, is actually pronounced Controller.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:19 pm
Steve Rogers - I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing this out. This blog reminds me of what my grandma used to say, “you learn something new everyday”.

Comment by Blago's Hare Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Like school in the summer, NO CL:ASS

Comment by Altgelds Ghost Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 4:19 pm
I think it was wise that Mendoza kept Burke away, whether privacy or distance herself. That’s not selfish but strategic. Let’s not blame the judge for Burke’s issues.

Comment by Don't bother Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 9:47 pm
Rinse & repeat what Don’t Bother said.

Comment by MsSWFL Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 8:51 am
Mendoza had no real choice.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 9:01 am