Judge asks: Jussie Smollett gets a break, so why not Hoffman Estates woman?

Candace Clark's disorderly conduct case looked to be heading for a quick, tidy resolution: If the Hoffman Estates woman paid back the money she owed, held down a job and showed up for court dates - among other things - then the prosecutor would dismiss the charges.

The case, in a Rolling Meadows courtroom earlier this month, would end like countless others for first-time offenders. But first, the judge had something to say.

"I'd like to know why Ms. Clark is being treated differently than Jussie Smollett," asked Cook County Judge Marc Martin. "It's a disorderly conduct case (false) reporting - a lot less egregious than Mr. Smollett's case. I have a problem with it. Why is she being treated differently?"

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