SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— The Illinois Supreme Court has thrown out a law setting a mandatory retirement age for state judges.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— The Illinois Supreme Court has thrown out a law setting a mandatory retirement age for state judges. Until now, Illinois had required judges to step down at the end of the term in which they turn 75. A Chicago judge challenged the law. The Supreme Court didn’t entirely reject the idea of mandatory retirement, but it found that the law was written in a way that created constitutional problems. For instance, a sitting judge couldn’t run for re-election after age 75, but someone who had never been a judge before could run, no matter how old. The court says the Illinois Constitution might have to be changed if officials want to force judges to retire. Two judges dissented and said the law was constitutional. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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