A Feb. 24 trial date has been set on the merits of Madison County's suit against the state over a judicial subcircuit law the legislature passed in January.
State's Attorney Tom Haine on Feb. 8 moved to consolidate a preliminary hearing with trial on merits arguing that consolidation would afford the court "an opportunity to resolve, at once, the pure questions of law raised by the fundamental constitutional claims herein.”
At a hearing on Thursday in Sangamon Circuit Court, a judge granted Madison County’s motion and set the trial.
At that same hearing, multiple petitions to intervene on both sides were granted. Intervenor-plaintiffs are now Circuit Judges Amy Sholar and Chris Threlkeld, as well as Republican Sen. Dan McConchie, who as a Lake County resident, challenges the subcircuiting of his county under the same law.
Intervenor defendants are now the Democrat heads of both chambers, Speaker Chris Welch and President Don Harmon. They are represented by Chicago attorney Michael Kasper, an elections lawyer with deep, longstanding connections to the state Democratic Party and former Speaker Michael J. Madigan.
“We are glad that the Court agreed that rather than spend precious time considering additional preliminary injunctive relief, these legal questions are clear and we should move directly to a decision on the merits as soon as possible,” Haine said. “With the various interventions, which we did not oppose, all interested parties will have a full an opportunity to be heard on these fundamental constitutional issues, which will determine the future of our judiciary.”