Shields v. JUDGES'RET. SYSTEM OF ILLINOIS

In this case, we are asked to decide whether a retired judge whose pension benefits were forfeited as a result of a felony conviction is entitled to a full refund of his contributions to the Judges’ Retirement System (System) with no deduction for benefits he received as an annuitant after his retirement. We answer that question in the affirmative.

BACKGROUND

David J. Shields began his judicial career in 1971 as a magistrate judge in the Cook County Judicial Circuit. In August of that year he elected to participate in the Judges’ Retirement System. He made contributions in the form of salary…