On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Cook County Record reported that a former Alabama judge filed a lawsuit against the city of Chicago. Tracie Todd, who served as the first black female judge in Alabama, claims the city reneged on a job offer that prompted her to resign from the judgeship.
Todd’s time as a judge in Alabama was tumultuous. She was twice suspended over ethical misconduct allegations between 2021 and 2022. According to the report, Todd was accused of abusing her judicial power and abandoning required detachment and neutrality. A 100-page report also alleged Todd ignored appellate court rulings and inappropriately questioned a lawyer about political donations.
However, Todd maintains the complaints stemmed from political retaliation over her rulings. In 2016, she ruled parts of Alabama’s death penalty system unconstitutional, citing undue political and racial bias. Her decision was later overturned on appeal.
Facing constant controversy and ethics battles, Todd resigned from her Alabama post in November 2023. She said the stress had become “exhausting.” Todd decided to move to Chicago to live with her husband.
It is here Todd’s lawsuit against Chicago comes in. Per the suit, Todd accepted a job offer from the city to work as an assistant corporation counsel around the same time as her resignation. Todd was slated to start in mid-December, with responsibilities including assisting the city with labor issues. The position paid nearly $118,000 annually plus benefits.
However, about 10 days before her start date, Chicago allegedly withdrew the offer without explanation. Todd claims she relied on this job in deciding to resign from the Alabama judgeship, which she said she otherwise would have kept and sought reelection for in 2025.
As a result, Todd’s suit accuses Chicago of “detrimental reliance,” arguing the revoked offer prompted detrimental actions like her resignation. She is pursuing unspecified damages from the city.
Source: Cook County Record
