Thomas R. Allen
 |
Thomas R. Allen | |
|---|---|
| Judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County | |
| Assumed office December 6, 2010 | |
| Chicago Alderman from the 38th Ward | |
| In office 1993–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Cullerton |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Cullerton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1952 |
Thomas R. Allen (born 1952) is a judge within the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. He was sworn in on December 6, 2010.[1] Prior to his judgeship, he was Alderman of the 38th Ward of Chicago, serving since 1993.
Early life[edit]
Allen graduated from Illinois Benedictine College and Kent College of Law. After graduation, he worked as a criminal defense attorney for 17 years.
Public service[edit]
Allen served as an administrative and legislative assistant to Alderman Thomas Cullerton before succeeding him.[citation needed]
Currently, Allen is active in several community organizations: the Portage Park Advisory Board, the Irving Park YMCA, the Sunshine Activity Center for Mentally Handicapped, and the Polish American Police Association.
Aldermanic career[edit]
Allen was appointed Alderman in 1993 by Mayor Richard M. Daley to complete the term of Thomas Cullerton, who died in office after a long illness.[2] Allen was elected to a full term in 1995, and re-elected in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
As Alderman, Allen was concerned about illegally converted rooming houses. To combat this, Allen created a task force to identify, investigate, and close illegal rooming houses.
Allen was chairman of the Transportation and Public Way Committee. He also served on seven other committees: Aviation; Budget and Government Operations; Buildings; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Economic, Capital and Technology Development; Finance; and Zoning.
In 2008 Allen was found to be one of seven Chicago aldermen who between them got ten of their children good-paying summer jobs with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.[3]
In 2008, Allen unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in the election for Cook County State's Attorney.
In 2010 Allen cosponsored an ordinance with 30th Ward Alderman Ariel Reboyras that designated a stretch of Central Avenue in the vicinity of its intersection with Belmont Avenue as "Honorary Lech Kaczynski Way" to honor the deceased Polish President.[4]
After Cullerton resigned from the City Council to assume his judgeship, Mayor Daley appointed his brother-in-law Timothy Cullerton to succeed him.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Dardick, Hal (2010-11-29). "Daley taking applications for alderman". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
- ^ Kass, John (1993-03-09). "38th Ward still all in the family Cullerton in-law, daughter take over the key positions". Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
- ^ Ospina, Viviana (2008-07-14). "Clout Kids". Fox News Chicago. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
{{cite news}}: External link in|work= - ^ "Strona główna - English Section".
- ^ Sudo, Chuck (17 July 2014). "Cullertons To Release 111-Year Grip On City Council Seat". The Chicagoist. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
