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Special Committe on Fair and Impartial Courts

  • May 23, 2013 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Board of Governors vote to accept report on underfunding of courts

    An Illinois State Bar Association special committee has issued a 64-page report that addresses the serious funding crisis facing Illinois courts. 

    “The long-term goal should be more than just alleviating the funding crisis,” said ISBA President John E. Thies, of Urbana. “Restoring courts to their proper place as a co-equal branch of government will return to the citizens of Illinois far more than the amount invested.”

    In June 2012, Thies appointed a Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts, co-chaired by Illinois Circuit Judge Patricia P. Golden (Ret.), of West Dundee, and Illinois Appellate Court Justice James M. Wexstten, of Mt. Vernon. Their report and recommendations, which were accepted on May 17 at a meeting of the ISBA Board of Governors in Galena, will be voted on by the ISBA’s policy-making Assembly when it convenes on June 22.

    According to the report, “The ability of the courts to deliver fair, timely and professional service has been degraded over the last dozen years by three trends: unpredictable budgets, cuts in real allocations, and disproportionate cuts. Funding cuts have affected all aspects of the judicial process.”

    To identify the areas of special concern, the committee surveyed the chief judges of each judicial district in Illinois, as well as practicing lawyers. They then identified several problem areas and made recommendations that include the following:

  • October 24, 2012
    ISBA Board backs new guidelines for judicial recusal

    The ISBA Board of Governors voted to support the Special Committee on Judicial Disqualification Standards proposed rule and special commentary at its meeting on Oct. 19. The special committee was organized by ISBA President John E. Thies in response to increasing public and professional attention to campaign contributions in judicial elections and the perception that such contributions may influence judicial decision making.

    “I want to compliment the special committee’s hard work. I’d also like to thank the ISBA Board of Governors for unanimously passing the recommendation,” President Thies said. “If adopted by our Supreme Court, the new rule – which would amend the Code of Judicial Conduct – would be an important step toward enhancing public confidence in the judiciary.”

  • July 25, 2012
    Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts meets

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts met on Friday, July 20, at the Chicago Regional Office. The committee’s mission is to coordinate ISBA efforts to identify and publicize threats to fair and impartial courts from lack of funding, and to consider measures to address this problem.

    The committee is being chaired by the Hon. Patricia P. Golden of St Charles and the Hon. James M. Wexstten of Mt. Vernon. President John E. Thies appointed this special committee as one of his presidential initiatives. More information on the committee and those serving on it can be found at www.isba.org/committees/fairandimpartialcourts.