Steven Mace
02-20-2002, 02:04 AM
Justices want their guards to carry guns
February 15, 2002
SPRINGFIELD--State Supreme Court justices, who began using guards and taxpayer-funded cars last fall, are now asking for the guards to carry guns and make arrests.
Legislation to give the guards full police powers has been introduced in the Illinois House.
Court spokesman Joe Tybor refused Thursday to comment on the legislation or explain why the guards should have more authority. He did say the court's plan to improve security was in the works before Sept. 11 but was implemented sooner because of the attacks.
All of the justices except for Rita Garman of Downstate Danville and Mary McMorrow of Chicago have decided to use the cars and security guards.
''I am running for office, and I would not use state resources or state assets in any way in a political campaign,'' said Garman, who is running for a 10-year term on the court.
Thomas Clark, president of the American Judges Federation, said he thinks the court is overdoing it.
''If you get to a point where a judge has an armed chauffeur--that may be going a bit far,'' he said. Clark is a municipal court judge in Seattle, Wash. He says Washington's Supreme Court justices do not receive personal security.
State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he will ask the court to justify the added security and explain why the justices should not be protected by State Police, rather than special guards.
The court began using unarmed guards last fall. Shortly after, cars were provided for justices to use when traveling with the guards.
Metal detectors have been installed at the court's headquarters.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sup15.html
Steve Mace
February 15, 2002
SPRINGFIELD--State Supreme Court justices, who began using guards and taxpayer-funded cars last fall, are now asking for the guards to carry guns and make arrests.
Legislation to give the guards full police powers has been introduced in the Illinois House.
Court spokesman Joe Tybor refused Thursday to comment on the legislation or explain why the guards should have more authority. He did say the court's plan to improve security was in the works before Sept. 11 but was implemented sooner because of the attacks.
All of the justices except for Rita Garman of Downstate Danville and Mary McMorrow of Chicago have decided to use the cars and security guards.
''I am running for office, and I would not use state resources or state assets in any way in a political campaign,'' said Garman, who is running for a 10-year term on the court.
Thomas Clark, president of the American Judges Federation, said he thinks the court is overdoing it.
''If you get to a point where a judge has an armed chauffeur--that may be going a bit far,'' he said. Clark is a municipal court judge in Seattle, Wash. He says Washington's Supreme Court justices do not receive personal security.
State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he will ask the court to justify the added security and explain why the justices should not be protected by State Police, rather than special guards.
The court began using unarmed guards last fall. Shortly after, cars were provided for justices to use when traveling with the guards.
Metal detectors have been installed at the court's headquarters.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sup15.html
Steve Mace