Eighty-degree weather right before Halloween feels a little spooky but that won't stop us from enjoying the fall heat. Before you go outside, check out the WTTW News Voter Guide and catch up on the latest from the Madigan trial.
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(WTTW News)
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Though judges arguably have some of the most power over regular people’s lives of any elected official — they can rule over everything from divorce cases, traffic tickets, criminal cases, and state law — they also boast some of the hardest-to-parse elections. Navigating judicial ratings and the dozens of judges’ names is undeniably daunting, no matter how informed you are about statewide courtrooms. (This November, more than 75 Cook County judges are up for retention, where they’ll need 60% of the vote to keep their seat).
In 2018, Cook County voters voted against the retention of a sitting Circuit Court judge for the first time in nearly 30 years. In 2020, a longstanding Illinois Supreme Court Justice also lost his retention. These elections matter so to help voters elect and retain qualified judges, 13 local and state bar associations have comprehensively reviewed and assessed judicial candidates in a nonpartisan manner. WTTW News simplified those evaluations to help you make informed decisions at the polls at our WTTW News General Election Voter Guide.
IL Supreme Court
Illinois Appellate Court
Cook County Circuit Court Judges
Subcircuit Judges
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Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in federal court on Oct. 22, 2024. (Illustration by Cheryl Cook)
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Testimony resumed Monday in the fourth week of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial inside Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Building. Madigan, 82, and his longtime confidant Michael McClain, 77, are charged with racketeering, bribery and wire fraud. They have each pleaded not guilty.
Commonwealth Edison's former chief legal officer testified that the utility giant was staring down possible bankruptcy in 2011 and desperately needed legislation in Springfield to help it survive. In order to do that, the company knew it needed one man’s support more than any other: Michael Madigan.
Some backstory:
The former House speaker is alleged to have orchestrated multiple corruption schemes, wielding his significant political power to reward loyal allies and enrich himself.
The most substantial of those alleged schemes involved utility giant ComEd as prosecutors have claimed Madigan and McClain arranged subcontractor jobs for several of the speaker’s “political cronies” with the company.
In exchange, Madigan allegedly gave his sign-off on critical legislation in Springfield that benefitted ComEd.
Already McClain and three other ComEd officials — Anne Pramaggiore, John Hooker and Jay Doherty — have been convicted of conspiring to bribe Madigan.
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A courtroom illustration of Bobby Seale bound and gagged during the Chicago Eight conspiracy trial. Illustration: Franklin McMahon/Wikimedia Commons
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The Chicago Seven were a group of political activists who were arrested for their protest and antiwar activities during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. But while the trial focused on seven men, eight people were arrested. That extra man was Black Panther Chairman Bobby Seale, the only African American in the group. He wasn’t involved in the advance planning for the demonstration but was still arrested and tried with the others. Seale had gone to Chicago as a last-minute replacement for Black Panther member Eldridge Cleaver. After his arrest, his lawyer was hospitalized and he was denied both a continuance and self-representation. Rightfully angry, Seale called Judge
Julius Hoffman “a bigot, a racist, and a fascist.” On Oct. 29, 1969, 55 years ago today in an extraordinary move, Hoffman ordered Bobby Seale bound and gagged in full view of the jury. His trial was soon severed from the Chicago Eight (which is how they became the Chicago Seven) and while Judge Hoffman sentenced him to four years in prison for contempt of court, those charges were all appealed and dismissed.
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Amanda Vinicky’s 5 Favorite Local Candies
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Every Tuesday, a WTTW News staffer weighs in with some of their favorite local places or things.
Trick-or-treaters will be hitting Chicagoans’ doorsteps this Thursday. But who says the treats are only for children? You can satisfy your sweet tooth with made in Chicago goodies (or at least candy that has a local connection). Some of my favorites:
-Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs from Ferrara, a company born in Chicago in the ‘20s that remained family owned through the early 2000s. Sucking on a tart lemon or spicy fireball candy is great to stay alert during a long work meeting or drive!
-I may be an Illinois politics nerd, but growing up I was never a fan of Nerds. But in recent years Ferrara (yes that company again) put Nerds on gummy blobs and licorice-esque fruity ropes. The result? Addicting. Take solace that they’re made in Chicago.
-Brach’s malted milk balls have a perfect combo of that soft, malted crunch with just enough chocolate coating. But they’re hard to find these days! My mom got me hooked on these! Also sweet? Brach’s also has Chicago roots.
-Want to get fancy? How about some truffles? You can’t go wrong with the Chicago standby Fannie May or a box of Frango Mints (still sold at the store formerly known as Marshall Field’s).
-Or keep it hyperlocal! I also visit neighborhood shops for my chocolate fix. I’m in Wicker Park, and love to walk to Mr. Kite’s The Chocolate Shop (Mr. Kite himself is usually behind the counter). Margie’s Candies and ice cream parlor is another great bet.
One final recommendation: Enjoy all of that candy goodness while watching WTTW’s “Chicago Stories: Candy Capital,” or read more about Chicago’s confection connections.
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Other News From Around Town
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With Halloween this week, what’s your best Chicago memory of the
holiday?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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