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 Responses
Markham is as corrupt as Chicago!
Markham is East St. Louis North!
Rail Yards and Liquor Stores!
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.
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.