Early voting has really taken off this year in Illinois, so we want to emphasize how important it is for voters to stand up for integrity in our local politics and competence on the judicial bench by casting a “yes” retention vote for Michael P. Toomin.
Toomin is in hot water with the powers that be, as we argued in an earlier editorial, because he appointed a special prosecutor to investigate Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’ handling of a case involving the actor Jussie Smollett. The former “Empire” star claimed to have been the victim of a hate crime.
Calling for a special prosecutor offended the politicos, most specifically the head of the Cook County Democratic Party, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. On Sept. 12, the party voted to oppose Toomin’s retention on the Nov. 3 ballot.
In running for retention for another six-year term, Toomin must get at least 60% “yes” votes from the people casting a ballot in his race. It’s important that he clears that margin. He is supported by all of the major bar associations.
This year’s retention ballot does not present the same level of controversy as it has it some years. The only judge who got “no” ratings across the board from the bar associations, Mauricio Araujo, already has quit the bench.
One lawyer admitted to us on Thursday that he votes “yes” for judges he knows to be good and “no” for the others, even those he knows nothing about. We would hope all voters know enough about Toomin by now to vote “yes.”
Cook County needs all the top-quality jurists it can get.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.