On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that two Cook County judges, E. Kenneth Wright and Shannon O’Malley, have been referred to the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board for investigation concerning allegations of residency conflicts. This action follows an investigation by Injustice Watch, which revealed that both judges claimed homeowner exemptions on properties they owned in Will County, raising questions about their compliance with state residency requirements.

Judge E. Kenneth Wright, who oversees the 1st Municipal District, was specifically cited for taking inappropriate tax exemptions on a house in Will County, where he has claimed a senior homeowner exemption since 2018. Despite this referral, Wright will maintain his position as presiding judge while the inquiry is conducted. He has held this influential role since 2003, managing over 40 judges in Chicago’s housing, eviction, and small claims courts, and is responsible for adjudicating property disputes.

Shannon O’Malley, who was elected in 2018, is also facing scrutiny for similar residency issues. The court’s executive committee, led by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, decided to refer both judges for investigation on November 6, 2024. The orders issued by Evans did not include additional details regarding the allegations.

The residency conflict came to light after a story published by Injustice Watch on October 2, 2024, which highlighted the judges’ homestead exemptions in Will County. State law stipulates that such exemptions can only be claimed on a principal residence, prompting concerns about whether Wright and O’Malley violated this requirement.

In response to the reports, Wright moved swiftly to revoke his Will County tax benefits, which had significantly reduced his property tax obligations. However, the revelations sparked immediate backlash from bar associations in the lead-up to the November 5 election, where Wright was campaigning for a sixth term. The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) rescinded its previous support for Wright after hearing his defense in a closed-door meeting. The ISBA subsequently recommended that voters oppose his retention due to the residency concerns.

Similarly, the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), which Wright had previously led, advised voters to reject his retention on the eve of the election. This advice came after a significant number of ballots had already been cast, which could impact the election’s outcome.

As of the latest updates, Wright was narrowly leading in the retention vote, with 62.8% of the votes in his favor, although many precincts had yet to report, and a large number of mail-in ballots remained outstanding. Meanwhile, O’Malley was trailing slightly in his retention bid.

Wright’s legal career spans over three decades, having been appointed as a judge in 1994 and subsequently elected later that year. He has a reputation for advocating for seniors and individuals with disabilities and has held various leadership roles within the Illinois legal community.

The investigation into these judges underscores ongoing concerns regarding judicial accountability and the integrity of the legal system in Cook County. Both judges are expected to face scrutiny as the inquiry board assesses the validity of the allegations against them.

 

 

Source: Chicago Sun-Times