Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/ousted-cook-county-judge-sues-illinois-supreme-court-justices-for-first-amendment-retaliation/
From Retirement Back to the Bench in Record Time (Image Credits: Cwbchicago.com)
Cook County, Illinois – A retired judge briefly recalled to ease the local court’s overwhelming backlog filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Supreme Court justices, arguing his removal after six weeks stemmed from unconstitutional punishment for his personal writings.
From Retirement Back to the Bench in Record Time
The saga began when James R. Brown, a former Cook County Circuit Court judge with 18 years of service, answered a call from the Illinois Supreme Court in late 2025. The court sought experienced retirees to address Cook County’s mounting caseload issues. Brown, who had retired abruptly in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and health challenges, saw the opportunity as a chance to contribute meaningfully once more.
He started work on December 15, 2025, assigned to the high-volume Traffic Court division. His term was slated to last nearly a full year, until December 7, 2026. During his tenure, no complaints surfaced about his performance, impartiality, or conduct. Brown had earned endorsements from every major Cook County bar association earlier in his career, including those that later sought his ouster.
A Pre-Existing Opinion Piece Sparks Backlash
Trouble arose not from his courtroom actions but from an op-ed Brown penned before even applying for recall. Titled “His Judgement Cometh and That Right Soon,” the piece appeared on journalist John Kass’s website. It…
—-
Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-02-20 09:03:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8