Free Republic

Vote to keep Judge Michael Toomin on the bench. Don’t let the Democratic Party, which has happily endorsed a parade of slugs for judicial retention for decades, succeed in dumping one of the more independent and capable judges. Don’t let the party bosses win. With all its vindictiveness and corruption, the party’s decision to dump Toomin looks like nothing more than retaliation. The judge crossed the party bosses once too often. Toomin infuriated the old guard when he appointed a special prosecutor to investigate a possible cover-up of an assault by a nephew of former Mayor Daley. The assault led...

In a surprise move, a Cook County judge ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor Friday to investigate the controversial decision to drop all charges against Jussie Smollett. Judge Michael Toomin ruled that State’s Attorney Kim Foxx had the right to withdraw from the prosecution but could not legally appoint her top deputy to handle the case in her place. The special prosecutor could end up charging Smollett, Toomin said, and if the investigation uncovers suspicion of wrongdoing by others, additional charges could be brought. Toomin made the decision even though the county’s inspector general’s office is already investigating the...