From the Rockford Registar

Blagojevich's position on judges silent

1/18/2005

The governor supported merit selection as a candidate in 2002 but is mum on how he will vote on current legislation.

By CHRIS KAERGARD, Register Star Springfield Bureau SPRINGFIELD -- As a candidate for governor three years ago, Rod Blagojevich was quick to announce that he supported merit selection for judges. But as the governor considers whether to approve legislation that would permit special districts for judicial elections in Winnebago and Boone counties -- arguably a step away from merit selection -- the governor's office won't say whether he stands by his campaign statement. Blagojevich said in 2002 that he supported merit selection. At least in concept, that means selecting judges based on their qualifications by an independent panel. Missouri and Iowa use forms of merit selection for judges. In Illinois, circuit and appellate judges are elected in partisan contests -- a process that critics argue emphasizes political connections and fund-raising prowess over legal qualifications. Making it more political Critics also argue that the creation of districts called subcircuits for the election of some circuit judges further politicizes the election of judges in Illinois by consolidating the power of local political bosses. "With small subcircuits, you can have ward bosses putting up unqualified candidates," said Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford. A measure that passed the General Assembly last Tuesday would establish subcircuits in Winnebago, Boone, Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. Democrats backed the measure, which apparently is designed to land more Democrats on the bench in counties dominated by Republicans. Democrats argued that the new districts would promote the election of blacks and Hispanics. Republicans -- who teamed with blacks and Hispanics to create subcircuits in the Democratic stronghold of Cook County in 1989 -- opposed the legislation. Blagojevich tight-lipped Blagojevich has not indicated whether he will sign the legislation. The Rockford Register Star contacted his office five times since the legislation passed and asked whether he stands by his support of merit selection. Spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch refused to articulate the governor's position on merit selection. "All of the governor's prior comments will be taken into consideration," she said Monday. She noted that Blagojevich has up to 60 days to dispose of the subcircuit bill once he receives it. As of Monday, the secretary of state had not sent it to the governor. Polar opposites? Some opponents of the subcircuit plan argue that it essentially is the opposite of selecting judges based on merit. Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, said the governor needed to decide whether to uphold this campaign statement or support subcircuits, and that he couldn't do both. "I think it (the governor's position during the election) is at odds with the bill," he said. On the other hand, former Attorney General Roland Burris, a Democrat who opposed Blagojevich in the 2002 race, says merit selection and subcircuits are not necessarily mutually exclusive. "He can still support merit selection and sign that bill," said Burris, who supports the subcircuit proposal. "This is just a further refinement of the system." Contact: ckaergar@gannett.com; 217-753-3882