An Illinois Circuit Court judge whose alleged bias against lesbian couples in an adoption case in the late '90s is making new headlines.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Judge Susan J. McDunn appeared before a federal court judge, claiming that people were filing secret lawsuits in her name in an attempt to ruin her life. Chief Federal Court Judge James F. Holderman said the cases do not exist.
The Circuit Court Office of the Chief Judge released a statement Nov. 2, stating that McDunn has been suspended.
"Judge Suan J. McDunn was removed from hearing cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and her Presiding Judge Willam D. Maddux months ago, and has been on medical leave since that time," the statement said. "It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge not to comment on the extent or nature of medical information concerning judges or employees."
McDunn took heat in late '90s for delaying a lesbian adoption ruling in one case any involving anti-gay organization the Family Research Council in another. Another judge intervened and granted custody in the cases, a decision that McDunn fought to reverse.
In 2004, bar associations found her unfit for retention, but voters kept her on the bench. She was also retained in 2010.