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McLean County Judge Suspended, Another Censured

Ralph Weisheit
/
WGLT

One McLean County judge has been suspended without pay for judicial misconduct stemming from his actions in the wake of an extra-marital affair with another judge, who is being censured.

Judge Scott Drazewski will begin his four-month suspension May 1st. Following a Judicial Inquiry Board review, the suspension was handed down against Drazewski and Judge Rebecca Foley was censured. The two began an extra-marital affair in late 2010.

The Illinois Courts Commission ruled Friday Drazewski was being suspended not because of the affair, but because the affair "influenced Drazewski’s conduct in his judicial role, when he chose to conceal the affair rather than recuse himself- as he was required to do- from cases involving respondent Foley’s husband.” Attorney Joe Foley later became aware of the affair and demanded Drazewski recuse himself. Drazewski did, but failed to disclose the reasons.

In the ruling, the commission says Rebecca Foley failed to disclose her romantic involvement with another judge who was presiding over cases involving her husband. The commission said the relationship was a distraction to the administration of justice.

In a statement, 11th Circuit Court Chief Justice Kevin Fitzgerald said he respects the decision, though he had not fully read it. He said the business of the court will continue uninterrupted during Drazewski's absence.

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.
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