CHICAGO (AP) - A published report says that several politically-connected Illinois judges have found their way back to bench after facing electoral defeats.

 

The Chicago Tribune reported (http://trib.in/12ydBzH) Sunday that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed seven judges to the Cook County court system after they were rejected by voters for other judgeship positions in the state.

 

It's a practice that the high court has pledged to end before. Critics of the practice argue that it could undermine voters.

 

The newspapers reports that one appointed judge gave more than $20,000 to the Cook Country Democratic Party and others had ties to powerful Chicago Democrats.

 

A spokesman for the Illinois Supreme Court defends the appointments and says that just because voters didn't approve a candidate doesn't mean they're not qualified for the bench.

 

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