Crawford elected, but can't be a judge

Voters have elected Rhonda Crawford as a Cook County judge—but she can't take the bench.

That's because, weeks before the election, the Illinois Supreme Court suspended Crawford's law license. Crawford nonetheless appeared on ballots to fill a vacancy in the county's first judicial subcircuit.

The high court's ruling came after Crawford allegedly acted improperly in the role of a judge in the Markham courthouse last August. The Cook County state's attorney subsequently charged Crawford with false impersonation and official misconduct.

Crawford described in detail the events that led up to her censure in a September deposition (linked below) before examiners of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

As Inside Chicago Government has reported, Crawford received a "not recommended" rating from all eleven organizations participating in the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening.

According to city and county officials, Crawford won 100 percent of the approximately 84,000 votes cast—handily beating her opponent, county judge Maryam Ahmad.

The first judicial subcircuit includes the Southeast Side of Chicago and the adjoining suburban area.

Document: Statement of Rhonda Crawford before the Ill. Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission