MARKHAM, IL. (ECWd) –
Yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court issued its Opinion stating that Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa could remain in office since Governor Rauner granted him a “Restoration of Rights.”
The Court overturned an Appellate Court Order removing him from office, and stated that although a Governor cannot pardon a federal crime, a governor could restore the rights of a federal felon, which includes the right to hold public office.
Thanks to a recent change in the Election Code, effective June 17, 2021, and as stated by the Court:
“The plain language of amended section 29-15 of the Election Code and amended section 3-10-5(b) of the Municipal Code provides that a person convicted of an infamous crime loses eligibility to assume municipal office but may regain eligibility by a restoration of rights from the governor. While the governor has no constitutional authority to pardon a federal conviction, the governor has statutory authority to mitigate the collateral electoral consequences of such a conviction by issuing a restoration of rights…”
He remains a convicted felon.
This appears to be yet another example of changing laws after violating them.
Read the Opinion below, or (here):
Walker v. Agpawa 2021 IL 127206 (Opinion)
3 Comments
Greg G
Posted at 21:59h, 02 SeptemberMarkham is as corrupt as Chicago!
Markham is East St. Louis North!
Rail Yards and Liquor Stores!
PK
Posted at 23:02h, 28 AugustNote to self: Identify bill sponsor (s) and legislative vote history. Evaluate timing of the bill introduction and assigments with the case dates from court proceedings.
I heard the umpire call foul.
Elliot Ness
Posted at 19:25h, 27 AugustSo, looking beyond the headlines…I have to wonder aloud, “How did this man get onto the Governor’s radar and into his favor to be granted such a favor? Is he a $ contributor – to the Governor? to a local politician? to a politically connected business person? to who? Is HE politically connected? Did someone owe him a favor? Most of the time, these things are not done out of humanitarian value simply because an individual is deserving of such intervention.