Illinois quick hits: Illinois Supreme Court sued over judge’s removal

Illinois Supreme Court sued over judge’s removal

The Liberty Justice Center has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Illinois Supreme Court justices for what the LCJ says was the unconstitutional removal of Judge James R. Brown.

The retired judge was recalled to Cook County circuit court in December 2025 to help fill judicial vacancies. Brown was removed six weeks later, after the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Council of Lawyers objected to an opinion column and podcast appearance by Brown before he returned to the bench.

The lawsuit seeks to restore Brown to his recall position and to obtain damages for economic and reputational harm.

Renewable energy plan approved

The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved the Illinois Power Agency’s 2026 plan to guide procurement of new renewable generation over the next two years.

The IPA’s plan encourages investment in both utility scale and community solar, utility-scale wind, hyd...