People Ex Rel. Barrett v. Board of Commissioners

On June 8, 1971, Edward J. Barrett, County Clerk of Cook County, filed a petition in the Circuit Court of Cook County for a writ of mandamus alleging his salary as County Clerk had been reduced by the County Board during his term of office, in violation of Article X, section 10, of the Illinois Constitution of 1870. He petitioned the court to direct the Board of Commissioners to pay him at the rate adopted by the Board prior to the beginning of his term of office.

On June 16, 1971, on motion of the petitioner, the court entered an order appointing the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis as a special…