Ex-clerk under investigation for impersonating judge wins seat on bench

Wednesday, November 9, 2016
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rhonda Crawford, the Cook County staff attorney and law clerk suspended for impersonating a judge, won the seat as First Judicial Sub-Circuit Bench, though she is unlikely to ever hear a real case since her law license was revoked.

The First Judicial Sub-Circuit Bench serves parts of the South Side and some south suburbs.
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The state Supreme Court suspended Crawford's law licenses in late October. The court also bared Crawford from taking her oath of office if she should win a seat on the bench.

Crawford wore Judge Valarie Turner's robes and heard at least two traffic cases in south suburban Markham, Ill., with the judge nearby.
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The Cook County State's Attorney is investigating the impersonation.

Judge Turner was reduced to administrative duties.
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