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2010 Judicial Retention Watch

This November, three of Illinois’ seven Supreme Court justices will ask voters to give them new 10-year terms in office. Although these non-partisan retention elections traditionally have been quiet affairs where voters have sent judges back to the bench for another term in office, this year may be quite different.



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Voter's Guide

VOTER'S GUIDE

Let's be honest; voting can be exhausting.

Each ballot requires dozens of decisions about candidates and issues critical to our federal, state and local units of government. Even the most diligent, well-informed and opinionated voters have a hard time developing perspectives on every single candidate and issue. They might have specific opinions about candidates for federal and statewide offices, however their views get fuzzier as they move down the ballot and consider candidates for lower-profile offices.



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Statements of Economic Interest

STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST

Delegates to Illinois' 1970 constitutional convention were very concerned that the financial affairs of elected officials and high-ranking public servants might have dangerous consequences for the honest administration of the affairs of the state.



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Redistricting

REDISTRICTING

Redistricting – the once-in-a-decade process of drawing state legislative and congressional district boundaries -- has a substantial impact on our democracy. How Illinois residents are grouped into districts can have a profound effect on who will represent the district, and what those elected officials will do.



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Public Financing

PUBLIC FINANCING

One of the harshest realities of modern American politics is that a candidate's fundraising prowess is often represented as an important predictor of electoral success -- more so than than his or her experience, intelligence or commitment to public service. As each new political cycle begins, party bosses, campaign strategists and newspaper reporters are more interested in potential candidates' abilities to raise significant sums of cash than their qualifications for elected office.



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Lobbyist Registration & Regulation

LOBBYIST REGISTRATION & REGULATION

The Illinois Constitution ensures that the state's 12.9 million citizens have the right to make their views known to their elected representatives. Each day citizens exercise this right in small ways. They talk to their lawmakers during community meetings, write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions, vote in elections and contribute funds to political campaigns.  



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Judicial Reform

JUDICIAL REFORM

As Thomas Jefferson considered the qualities required of judges, he said this new nation should seek citizens of the highest intellect and personal character for the duty. Equally important, he believed judges should be independent of any economic or political influences that might interfere with the broader goal of justice.



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Citizens United, and the Decision's Impact on Campaign Finance in Illinois

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a federal ban on political campaign spending by corporations independent of candidate campaigns has prompted some questions about the impact of the ruling on state and local elections in Illinois.  Although that decision has no immediate effect on the contribution limits legislation passed last year by the Illinois General Assembly, it could create an extremely hostile atmosphere with respect to any kind of contribution limits. It will certainly have an effect on Illinois campaigns for the U. S.



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Campaign Contribution Limits

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

llinois has frequently been called the "wild west" of American campaigns based on its largely unregulated campaign finance system. Before a new campaign contribution limits system was approved in late 2009, Illinois was one of only five states with no restrictions on the size or source of campaign contributions.



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Our Opinion: Overhaul high court system (Editorial)

October 1, 2010

Retention votes for Illinois Supreme Court justices traditionally dwell deep on the undercard of Election Day matchups.

Every 10 years, sitting justices must obtain 60 percent approval on a yes/no vote to stay on the court. No justice seeking retention has failed to get it.

Read More...



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