On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, The Latin Times reported that a Chicago judge retained her position after inadvertently sending a racist meme to a colleague. Circuit Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman, 55, accidentally shared an image depicting a Black child with an ankle monitor, described as a “joke,” according to local judicial watchdog Injustice Watch.
The meme, a toy rendering from “Little Tiks,” a parody of the brand “Little Tykes,” featured the caption “My First Ankle Monitor.” Judge Glennon-Goodman attributed the meme to her husband, Dr. Paul Goodman, a podiatric surgeon at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, referring to it as “my husband’s idea of Christmas humor.”
Before her appointment as a judge in 2024, Glennon-Goodman served as a public defender for over two decades, focusing on homicide cases. She ran unopposed in the Democratic Party primary for the 10th Judicial Subcircuit and was set to begin her first six-year term. Following the incident, she has been temporarily reassigned from her role in the pretrial division.
The Judicial Inquiry Board is currently evaluating whether further sanctions will be necessary against Judge Glennon-Goodman. In light of the meme’s circulation, the Cook County Bar Association— the oldest and largest professional organization for Black lawyers in the region—issued a statement condemning the incident. They noted that while the meme was intended for a different audience, sharing such content remains inappropriate.
The association stressed the importance of discernment and judgment for judges, stating, “Any judge should be unbiased enough to not further circulate such a racist trope.” This incident has raised questions about the conduct and responsibilities expected of judicial figures, particularly regarding racial sensitivity and professionalism.
As developments continue, the judicial community and the public await the findings of the Judicial Inquiry Board regarding potential consequences for Judge Glennon-Goodman.
Source: The Latin Times
