A published report says that several politically-connected Illinois judges have found their way back to bench after facing electoral defeats.
The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed seven judges to the Cook County court system after they were rejected by voters for other judgeship positions in the state.
It's a practice that the high court has pledged to end before. Critics of the practice argue that it could undermine voters.
The newspapers reports that one appointed judge gave more than $20,000 to the Cook Country Democratic Party and others had ties to powerful Chicago Democrats.
A spokesman for the Illinois Supreme Court defends the appointments and says that just because voters didn't approve a candidate doesn't mean they're not qualified for the bench.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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