Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Judge Facing Drug Charges Quits

Bill Raack and The Associated Press — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:24:24 +0000

A St. Clair County judge whose colleague died of a cocaine overdose while the two were on a hunting trip is stepping down from the bench as he defends himself against federal heroin and gun charges.

Circuit Judge Michael Cook resigned Wednesday by letter to the chief judge, John Baricevic. Baricevic says the letter is brief and doesn't offer a reason for Cook's departure.

Ill. Supreme Court Opens Door To Divorce For Mentally Disabled

The Associated Press — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:52:07 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court has opened the door to divorce for people who need guardians because of mental disabilities.

For years, Illinois has barred mentally disabled people or their guardians from seeking a divorce. Experts say that included people with severe brain damage but also people who could make their wishes known despite Alzheimer's disease or mental illness.

In a ruling Thursday, the Supreme Court said an outright ban is no longer appropriate. It said case-by-case hearings should determine what is in the disabled person's best interests.

New court fight underway over Ill. parental notice law

Illinois Public Radio — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:44:50 +0000

Brian Mackey contributed reporting for this story.

A decades-long battle over an Illinois law that requires girls to notify their parents before having an abortion was in front of the state's Supreme Court on Thursday.

The parental notification law has been on the books since the 1990s, but a series of federal and state court challenges have kept it from being enforced. It was supposed to take effect in 2006, which set off a fresh round of lawsuits.

Morning headlines - Friday, June 22, 2012

The Associated Press, Rachel Lippmann and Illinois Public Radio — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:35:26 +0000

Nixon will announce budget cuts today

Gov. Jay Nixon is expected to announce today if he’ll make any reductions to the state budget – ending weeks of speculation for university and social service program administrators.

Nixon this week signed legislation funding public schools and the state departments of health and mental health without making any cuts.

Ill. Supreme Court rejects GOP challenge to legislative maps

Rachel Lippmann — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:36:08 +0000

A divided Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican challenge to new state legislative district maps.

The GOP contended that the Democratic-controlled state House and Senate drew the boundaries to benefit Democratic candidates, in effect diluting the Republican vote. But they filed the challenge just six weeks before the March primary.