Timoney named commissioner of state Court of Claims
Sangamon County Democratic Chairman TIM TIMONEY is now a commissioner of the
Illinois Court of Claims, thanks to an appointment by Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH.
The part-time position pays about $40,000 annually,
Timoney said he applied about a year before being named to the post. He said
his 14 years of experience as a lawyer, practicing in state and federal
courts and handling civil and criminal cases, helps qualify him for the job.
The Court of Claims is an interesting legal animal. The governor appoints
the judges, who decide cases, and the commissioners, who hear cases and make
recommendations. But the secretary of state serves as ex-officio clerk of
the court, and his office runs the day-to-day operations and provides staff.
The court is where people go to sue the state for monetary damages, except
in worker compensation claims. The court also prepares and monitors federal
grants for payment to crime victims.
Timoney said his Court of Claims caseload has been building, and he now is
working on about 20 cases. He said he's been setting case schedules but
hasn't yet conducted hearings. He also maintains his private practice.
While a Democratic governor gave the position to a Democrat, Timoney said,
"You have to look at my legal ability, too."
The seven part-time judges of the court include ROSE MARIE LIPINSKI, wife of
U.S. Rep. BILL LIPINSKI, D-Chicago, who was named to her $50,893-a-year post
by Blagojevich in March.
In February 2003, Blagojevich named ROBERT J. SPRAGUE of Belleville to the
$55,135-a-year post as chief judge. Sprague is the chairman of the St. Clair
County Democratic Party.
Among the other commissioners are Cook County Democratic Chairman THOMAS G.
LYONS; RON SERPICO, a Democrat and mayor of Melrose Park; and Springfield
lawyer DAVID REID, who contributed $1,000 to Blagojevich's campaign in late
2002.
It's so nice to be done with business as usual in state government, as the
governor likes to preach.