Judicial Quotes
A preview of the record, in the judges’ own words. Each quotation below was spoken on the record or in open court, and is presented with the context that gives it meaning.
“It’s the law in this case.”
— Judge David E. Schwartz, Law Division, DuPage County, Illinois
In saying it, Judge Schwartz conceded the point. No statute, no rule, and no decision limits a person’s property rights to a single day, or makes those rights contingent on the words, actions, or state of mind of the property owner’s friend. He acknowledged, if only indirectly, that no such law exists — and then ruled that the order would stand anyway.
The effect of that order was to confine the entire case to a single event that the plaintiff neither participated in nor witnessed, and to make her property rights turn entirely on a third party’s conduct and mindset.
See also: the email communications with Chief Judge Bonnie Wheaton regarding the petition to remove Judge Schwartz from the case, and the notice given to her of the 18th Judicial Circuit’s quiet dismantling of property rights.
“Mute her.”
— Judge Jennifer L. Barron, Law Division, DuPage County, Illinois
Her instruction within sixty seconds of her first interaction with Jennifer, at a status conference held after the case was reassigned following Judge Schwartz’s recusal.
Jennifer had attempted to correct the procedural posture of the case, which defense counsel had misrepresented. Rather than check the record to determine which account was accurate, Judge Barron muted her, proceeded on defense counsel’s false characterization of events, conducted what amounted to an ex parte hearing, and then removed Jennifer from the status conference entirely.
“I’m not your puppet!”
— Judge Kenneth L. Popejoy, Presiding Judge of the Law Division and former Chief Judge, DuPage County, Illinois
His response when Jennifer asked him to state in writing the reason her petition to substitute Judge Jennifer Barron had been denied.
“Well I JUST DID!”
— Judge Jerry A. Esrig, Commercial Calendar, Cook County, Illinois
His response after being informed that his actions violated the Law Division’s Standing Order and that he lacked the authority to proceed as he was doing.
The answer concedes what it appears to deny: he understood the rule, he understood the alleged violation, and he proceeded regardless.