Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved.

March 28, 2024

IL. Supreme Court Leaves Convicted Felon As Mayor Of Markham –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On August 27, 2021

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)

SHARE THIS

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on print

RELATED

3 Comments
  • Elliot Ness
    Posted at 19:25h, 27 August

    So, 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.

  • PK
    Posted at 23:02h, 28 August

    Note 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.

  • Greg G
    Posted at 21:59h, 02 September

    Markham is as corrupt as Chicago!

    Markham is East St. Louis North!

    Rail Yards and Liquor Stores!

$