The Latest Breaking News from Elizabeth Rochford

Illinois court overturns conviction of former Empire star Jussie Smollett

Court says new charges for hate-crime hoax shouldn’t have been filed after original charges were dropped

The Guardian - US · Nov 21, 2024

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford came close to breaking rule on speeches

While Rochford didn’t technically speak “on behalf” of the Lake County Democratic Women, she helped the group further prove its bona fides.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 15, 2023

Welcome warning? Illinois Senate president’s message to newly sworn senators: Fly right or get lost

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon quoted both his late mother, who worried “that Springfield will change your notion of what the right thing is,” and former Chicago Police Supt. James Rochford, who once warned officers “If you lack integrity, get out — get out now.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 12, 2023

Pritzker gives shoe leather and big bucks to Democrats running for state’s top court — but GOP says he’s skirting the law

Pritzker gave $500,000 each to the candidates from his campaign fund — and another $500,000 to each from a personal trust fund. Republicans accuse him of skirting limits he himself signed into law. But the Illinois State Board of Elections says the contributions are allowed.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 2, 2022

Abortion vs. Mike Madigan? Democrats and Republicans play hole cards in high-stakes battle for control of state Supreme Court

It wasn’t really possible for Democrats to draw the new state Supreme Court map in a way that would have assured them of winning one of the seats on the November ballot, as would have been their normal tendency. Instead, both seats are in play.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 24, 2022

Campaign spending in Illinois Supreme Court races about to heat up

Abortion rights have become the focus of the race for court seats from two suburban Chicago districts.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 30, 2022

Illinois Republicans aim to win control of state Supreme Court for first time in 53 years

Democrats hold the advantage in two races for open Illinois Supreme Court seats because last year they redrew the court’s boundaries for the first time in 58 years. The two down-ballot elections hold enormous stakes if the court changes hands — potentially impacting abortion, gun control and union…

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 5, 2022

Lake County judge, former sheriff lead in race to succeed Justice (and former Chicago Bear) Bob Thomas on state Supreme Court.

The race in the fall could overturn Democrats’ dominance of the state’s highest court.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 29, 2022

Partisan balance of Illinois Supreme Court in play in races for seats once held by Kilbride and Thomas

Four Republicans and three Democrats are vying for the seat previously held for two decades by retired Justice (and former Chicago Bear) Bob Thomas in the 2nd District, which was redrawn to cover a large part of northeastern Illinois, including DeKalb, Kendall, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 9, 2022