Will Emanuel ruling escape political taint?

The 4 Democrats, 3 Republicans on state Supreme Court all have strong political ties
By Rick Pearson and David Kidwell, Tribune reporters

The Illinois Supreme Court justices deliberating the fate of Rahm Emanuel's bid for Chicago mayor are sworn to uphold the state constitution without regard for special interests, yet that same document requires them to run for election in an inherently political system.

While much of the high court's work is done in relative anonymity, the pedigrees of the justices are fodder for debate whenever they tackle high-profile cases with political consequences — from deciding a close governor's race to ruling on the district maps that determine which party will control the Legislature.

In the Emanuel case, that debate may have been inevitable. Three of the four justices on the court's Democratic majority were endorsed during their careers by the Cook County Democratic Party.