Termination hearing should proceed, appeals court rules

Cook County's public defender is back on the hot seat after a court ruling Thursday green lighted his termination hearing for later this month.

The county's appellate court overturned a lower court's stay on Edwin Burnette's termination hearing before Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, said the defender's attorney, Paul Mollica.

The hearing is set for May 20, but Mollica said he may appeal the ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Burnette argues Stroger doesn't have grounds to fire him. Burnette also says the hearing should be postponed while he sues Stroger for the alleged manipulation of the public defender's staffing.

Stroger wants to oust Burnette for insubordination. But Burnette contends he isn't under Stroger's direction and that his office is supposed to be free of political influence.