Cook County Judges Referred to Judicial Misconduct Board Over Residency Conflict
Embattled Judge E. Kenneth Wright Under Investigation
Embattled Cook County Judge E. Kenneth Wright was referred to a state disciplinary board on Wednesday by the chief judge after an Injustice Watch investigation found he took inappropriate homestead and senior tax exemptions on a house he owned in Will County.
Wright, 83, will retain his powerful position as presiding judge of Cook County’s first municipal district while the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board investigates. However, he faces another challenge from voters in Tuesday’s judicial retention vote, where his vote total only narrowly exceeds the threshold of 60%, with thousands of votes left to count.
Judge Shannon O’Malley Also Under Investigation
Another judge facing a close retention vote, Shannon O’Malley, was also referred to the board by the court’s executive committee over a similar residency conflict first reported by Injustice Watch.
Background on Judge E. Kenneth Wright
As a presiding judge since 2003, Wright oversees more than 40 other judges in Chicago’s housing, evictions, and small claims courts, and he rules on property ownership disputes and defects in deeds and chains of title. He also serves on Chief Judge Timothy Evans’ executive committee, which rules on administrative orders and judges accused of misconduct.
Wright’s new status as a judge under investigation marks a sudden downturn in his 30-year-long judicial career. Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Wright attended college there but moved to Illinois to earn a doctorate in education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1970, then a law degree from Northwestern University in 1977. He worked as a solo practitioner from a nondescript brick building he owned on Chicago’s South Side, handling mostly probate cases and land transactions, records and interviews show.
Residency Conflict
Wright applied for and received a senior homestead exemption in Will County in 2018, and had also benefited from a longstanding homestead exemption at the same address since before he became a judge. State law says such exemptions can only be filed on your "principal residence." Wright quickly moved to revoke his Will County tax benefits, which had trimmed his property tax bills by thousands of dollars. However, the revelation kicked off a firestorm from bar associations in the run-up to Tuesday’s election, where he was campaigning for a sixth term on the bench.
Conclusion
The investigation into Judge E. Kenneth Wright’s residency conflict and similar allegations against Judge Shannon O’Malley highlights the need for transparency and accountability in our judicial system. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial that the public remains informed and vigilant, ensuring that our judges are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
FAQs
- What is the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board?
The Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board is a state agency responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct against judges in Illinois. - What is the residency requirement for judges in Illinois?
According to Illinois state law, judges must reside in the jurisdiction they serve. - What are the consequences for judges found guilty of misconduct?
The consequences for judges found guilty of misconduct can range from reprimand to removal from office, depending on the severity of the misconduct and the discretion of the Illinois Supreme Court. - How can I stay informed about the investigation and its findings?
You can stay informed by following reputable news sources, such as Injustice Watch, and monitoring the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board’s website for updates on the investigation.
