No more secret votes

To the editor:

One of the most damnable practices of the Illinois judiciary is the way that associate judges are selected by the patronage political process.

Although partisanship plays a part in the selection of U.S. Supreme Court judges, they are open to public scrutiny.

Why do Illinois circuit judges not follow the example set by the U.S. Supreme Court but vote in secrecy when selecting associate judges?

Secrecy by judges breeds corrupt judges. Chief Judge Ann Callis of the Third Judicial Circuit, along with Judges Charles Romani and John Knight, ran on an election platform that they would not practice partisan politics along with other reforms if they were retained. Will they keep their word?

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is being investigated by federal authorities for practicing partisan politics with state jobs that are not subject to the spoils system. The Illinois judiciary is not part of the spoils system either, and should be investigated also.

No more secret votes to select Illinois associate judges.

Charles D. Sullivan
Waterloo