Worst Crooked Judge in the World: Crook County Judge Patricia Martin
By John Kass
Wednesday Dec. 10, 2025
I’ve spent my life covering Chicago politics and Chicago political corruption.
So, I guess you could say that I’ve seen some things:
Many years ago, when I was first starting out in the newspapering business, the vaunted Chicago press corps—the corporate legacy media–was bowing and sniveling before a black “reform” mayor (not named Johnson) for fear of being branded as racists. This was just as the mayor’s top aide wearing a bad wig, collected rent in a city limousine from impoverished women living in his slum buildings full of rats.
Or later, when Chicago politicians were terrified into silence when Bill Hanhardt, the Chicago mob’s top jewel thief—who was insulated for years because he was also Chief of Detectives for the CPD as Hollywood made TV shows about him—was finally indicted for running the Outfit’s national jewel theft crew. As he was being sentenced in federal court he lifted a glass to me in a toast.
I don’t think I can print what was on his mind. And I don’t worry about the silence of the lambs. It was the silence of the politicians that screamed out a warning, from the mayor on down when the feds dropped the case of the Outfit’s top cop.
Chicago has always been a corrupt town, perhaps worse than Mogadishu Minnesota. Same media and Democrats frightened by the slightest suggestion they might be blasted as racists by black demogoguges.
But what happened to a 97-year-old Tuskegee Airman takes the grand prize.
You’ve heard of the airmen. They were a highly decorated group of soldiers in World War II, they were heroes, some were escorts, protecting our American bombers from enemy fighter planes and others carried out bomb raids.
One mistake was death for themselves and their friends.
But thanks to the great CWB Chicago—the website that is all about bringing people the news rather than worrying about politically correct social justice scores—we know about Cook County Judge Patricia Martin.
This is true. Judge Martin’s story does come to us from the one place Chicagoans understand: the Department of Special Places in Hell.
Martin is the former judge convicted of swindling an elderly Tuskegee Airman, Mr. Wilkerson, of his life savings. He found out about it after Judge Martin—who had his power of attorney to look out for him and pay his nursing home bills—stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from him.
She blew it on bitcoin.
Mr. Wilkerson found out about it when the nursing home wasn’t receiving money to pay his bills.
Martin once served as presiding judge of the Child Protection Division and retired in 2020 with a big fat pension that she sweetened, I assume, with extra contributions.
My friend Jeanne Ives reports that Judge Martin’s pension was well over $200,000 a year. Like a thick rib-eye steak on the bone, full of fat and flavor.
Prosecutors initially accused Martin of stealing nearly $250,000 from then-95-year-old Mr. Oscar Wilkerson, a longtime friend whose finances she controlled under power of attorney. Wilkerson’s wife had been a relative of Judge Martin. Using that authority, Martin closed some of Wilkerson’s bank accounts and withdrew more than $115,000, officials said. She used the money to buy crypto.
CWB reports that investigators said she continued making unauthorized transactions for crypto purchases and personal expenses through 2021 and most of 2022.
The thefts were uncovered after a senior living facility terminated Wilkerson’s residency because of unpaid bills. An attorney was brought in to examine his finances and filed a lawsuit against Martin in 2022.
She failed to respond, resulting in a default judgment of about $1.1 million, according to court filings.
Because Martin previously served as a Cook County judge, her case was assigned to McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis. Martin plead guilty. Wilkerson died in 2023, one day before his 97th birthday. Martin was disbarred the same year.
But here’s the kicker, she didn’t spend any time in jail. Not one measly day. And she keeps that pension.
Wilkerson, who died in February 2023 at the age of at 96, had been the last known surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen in the Chicago area. In 2007, he was among about 300 surviving members of the trailblazing all-Black aviation unit awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush.
Martin has since been disbarred. As part of her probation, which runs through Dec. 3, 2029, she must report to the county’s Adult Probation Department, complete drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment, submit to random drug testing and comply with DNA indexing requirements. Also, she’s barred from leaving Illinois without court permission and cannot possess firearms or other weapons.
In Mr. Wilkerson’s obituary, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that he rode a Pullman sleeper car but, upon crossing the Mason-Dixon line, was told to move to a Blacks-only train car — an experience that, in an interview with Chicago’s Pritzker Military Museum & Library, called his “first real hard taste of segregation.”
Fulfilling a childhood dream to fly, he became a bomber pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed unit that helped pave the way for desegregation in the military.
After leaving the military and coming home to Chicago, he found his job options limited despite his training as a pilot.
“After the war, we were not able to go into commercial aviation,” Wilkerson told the military museum. “Blacks weren’t accepted at that time. I couldn’t fly commercially. So, I became a bus driver in Chicago.”
He also worked at radio stations in Chicago and Harvey.
But he never lost his love of flying, and he delighted in sharing that with kids.
What gets me is that this was an inside deal played by Judge Martin, an inside player.
How do I know? She served no time in prison. Not one minute behind bars. And the pension remains fat.
She was part of the judicial clique of boss Toni Preckwinkle, who is boss of the Cook County Democrats and the supreme judge picker.
And Boss Toni has kept her mouth shut through all of this.
She’s as silent as a lamb. But she’s no fool. She’s up for election on March 17. And she’s kept her lips zipped on this one.
Will she be held accountable by voters?
I don’t see it happening. The Chicago media won’t hold her to account. She’s emptied the Cook County Jail of violent repeat offenders because she doesn’t want black men in jail. And Chicago media hasn’t held her to account. You might think the media would focus on her, but Preckwinkle does the bidding of the Chicago media’s social justice warriors. She is on the hard left and so are they.
The violent monster Lawrence Reed–who poured gasoline on innocent Bethany Magee and lit her on fire–was a beneficiary of Preckwinkle’s race based de-carceration policy. And still, Preckwinkle is constantly rewarded for her racial justice.
I ask you again. Will Preckwinkle ever be held accountable?
I don’t think so. This is Chicago, and Boss Toni knows how to play things the Chicago Way
She’s not worried. The media and Gov. J.B. Pritzker protect her. There is no Illinois Republican Party to carry the fight to Boss Toni. She’s at peace, laughing at you.
What would happen to you if you stole $300,000 from boss Toni? You know what would happen. And you wouldn’t be singing a show tune in the shower.
-3o-
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About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.
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Comments 28
They cheat, lie, and steal because they can….always with other people’s lives and money. I am still waiting for felony prosecutions of the hundreds of local government workers (Dems) who defrauded we the people of millions with their Covid 19 PPP phoney baloney business set ups. Not to worry, the statute of limitations is drawing near and they will all be off the hook, right Kwame.
Special place in Hell for the judge.
The worst part of all this never ending curruption is how heartbreaking and soulless from top to bottom it has become. The system is bleak and irredeemable.
“Soulless”, is the perfect description. If you turn the clock back 60 years, there was certainly corruption, with plenty of sticky fingers in the cookie jar. But for the most part, the powers- that- be still gave a damn about the city, county, etc. and had basic decency.
As you know I was intimately involved during the time of the “Irish Chicago Way”. Now wokeness and inclusiveness has ushered in the “Black Chicago Way”. The first produced
‘The City That Worked’ while the other has produced the city that doesn’t.
Was not aware Tuskegee pilots flew bombers but they DID. (Silly me to think you had not checked). A number were assigned to fly Mitchell B25’s as part of the 477th Bombardment group.
I always learn something from your columns. Thx. As for the judge and Toni of the sensible shoes, a pox on both, the Gov and Mayor panic attacks too.
The Tuskegee crew flew out of Italy. Most of the things you read about WW2 and Bombers are about the Bloody 100th out of England. Masters of the Air is one example (and worth reading) Some of them were on the Ploesti Raid, which was a brutal bombing run over the Romanian oil refineries https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/over-cauldron-ploesti-american-air-war-romania
JK
U 4got to mention the judge on the Reed case. Remember you were always gonna bring it up when you mentioned Reed.
Say it loud and say it proud once again.
In a city beset by identity politics the color of the skin is what matters most. If the thieving judge had been a white person this would be national news. CNN would blare this nonstop. Network news would have it on blast. We would have all seen and been able to recognize the thief from her picture being on the screen and print. I’m only assuming the thief is “a person of color” since if she was white her picture would be prominent in the story. Since the thief is “a person of color” she is granted protection. I don’t use the term ” news media” anymore since they don’t factually report news. They bend , shape and selectively report a story in order to shape a narrative. Rarely does any mainstream media outlet report the color of offenders, the Christmas Tree Lighting fiasco a few weeks ago for example. “A group of teens” was how it was reported, not “a group of black teens” that actually shot the place up. All of the combatants and shooting recipients were black. If the shooter was white the media would make this the crux of the story. Jake “The Fake” Tapper
of CNN gleefully reported the Washington bomber as a “white male” while the screen showed the picture of the actual offender, a male black. They can’t help themselves. This is what they do.
Serious as it is, this deep dive of Kass and CWB Chicago into pits of Chicago corruption feels like a grim joke. “The Chicago Way” has obviously been based on Democrat politics that are brutally anti-democratic. Less obviously, the crime against Lieutenant Wilkerson exemplifies the primary victims of the Chicago machine’s “racial justice” having been black.
Kass recalls the mayor positioned in the ‘80s as the “reform” Democrat simply because he was black. Another old Chicago joke. The downtown library was named for him, yet he wasn’t well-read enough to know about paying income taxes.
If they had a hammer, they’d hammer every minority, not just black people and Chicago Republicans. They’d hammer in the morning….
Another interesting reward for this evil judge who stole from a black American war hero with near-impunity, ignored because she’s black: She stole $380,000 and was ordered to pay restitution of slightly less than $123,000. That net gain of more than a quarter million! Democrat dividends.
I hate too mention it, probably be labeled a racist but black politicians not paying taxes, fees, or fines is SOP in the great city of Chicago, e,g, Stacy Gates, BJ, Sharon Grant, and his Holiness Harold who did time for failing to pay income taxes. I guess you need it on your resume for street cred.
Probation? I almost threw up!!!
The hero is Mr. Wilkerson and I’d like to think that this man of principle was greeted warmly by the Angels. Judge Martin and Ms. Preckwinkle? Not so much…
It cries to Heaven for a RICO investigation to erode by lawfare the ill gotten gains that the corrupt system is defending.
“Department of Special Places in Hell” – bingo! Refers both from where the story comes and, more importantly, to a special place in Mephistopheles’ domain where she and Toni shall reside for eternity.
Yianni,
Never ceases to amaze how incredibly inept and stupid Chicago voters have become, to continually elect devout socialists to positions of importance for the city and state. Remembering Forrest Gump’s admonishment -“stupid is as stupid does!” Chicago and Illinois have become the poster incarnations of stupidity, with mayor Pannix and gov Dumbo forever in denial about the status of the city and state. They’d rather enact legislation to protect illegals and criminals than do something for citizens, like lower taxes perhaps? incarcerate criminals? catch and deport illegals that have criminal records? ensure the safety of CTA riders in busses and trains? The list is endless….but in the final analysis, this city and state are forever goners, probably not returning to any semblance of normalcy in our lifetimes, as “the Chicago Way” continues to rot them from within!
JK
Nothing that occurs here in Chicago should shock us anymore. Nice memories of Clarence Mc Clain, and sadly many more beside him betraying the public trust.
Think of the poor Hero in the nursing home learning from social workers he was insolvent. Worked and did right all his life.
Why is the Judge allowed to keep her pension?
Mr Wilkerson is deserving of our eternal gratitude and respect, but instead gets preyed upon by this Moutza nominee (I’m just spit balling on that one).
I don’t care about your color, ethnic background, religion or gender. If you are part of the unconnected middle class you are subject to whatever taxes or regulations the Illinois tyrants want to impose. And because you’d be low hanging fruit in the justice system, you’ll do time for crime unlike the friends of Toni the boss. Which the media will then announce loudly to show crime is not tolerated by their overlords.
Thanks John for shining the light on more of these rats.
Meanwhile….north of the Mason Dixon Line. No commercial pilot jobs for Black WWII heroes, and of course the beautifully portrayed Crook County corruption. C’mon John. Lay off of us, put the gun down. I will too, promise
It is all so sad. Don’t know what else to say. Keep up the good work John. All the best to you and your family this holiday season.
This is beyond disgusting and to think she kept her pension while Mr. Wilkerson was told his lodging wasn’t paid! I have to say I agree with you Mr. Jennings if the judge were white it would be front page news and on every msm outlet. Lately it seems to always be them. And most of their victims are POC. Has anyone just seen the amount of money CPS spent on African safari trips, lodging and vacations while students of CPS can’t get the services they need? Look at the union leaders and superintendent of CPS. Look at the city alderman. There’s no diversity any where.
Not many people are lower than those who steal from the elderly. Child molesters, child traffickers, serial killers. Even those that steal from their family are better than those who steal from the elderly.
Stunning how well Illinois civil service pensions are protected.
So what does it cost a Judge these days to walk on jail time after stealing money she was legally in charge of handling for elderly gentleman. And expected to pay back 1/3 the amount of money she stole.
Tony Preckwinkle decisions are getting people burn on the trains and veterans getting ripped off. How does she keep her job? I guess her voters don’t have a mirror to look at in the morning
So Mr. Wilkerson had kids? If so aren’t they entitled to his estate? And therefore isn’t the judge obligated to pay the estate restitution for what she stole? The story – reprehensible as it is – does not seem complete.
The voters of Chicago and Illinois are getting what they voted for – corrupt, self-serving, lifetime politicians. These lamebrain voters only care about one thing: the crook is a Democrat! Someday, hard-working tax-paying citizens will wise up. They are being used to support the political ambitions of bad people. I hope that the “someday” is soon.
Contrast this with Joliet Fire Chief Joe Drick’s case. He and his wife got 8 years for similar crime in ’07.
But that was Will County.
John, thank you for finally acknowledging Toni Preckwinkle as the evil stepmother.
She is what is wrong in Chicago, Cook County and probably the northern third of Illinois. Everything she gets near is ruined, destroyed, criminal or corrupted. I only wish someone would put her butt in jail for the criminal releases, along with JB and then they can rot.
Keep the pressure on. For what it’s worth, she needs to be shown for what she is…worthless. It’s the only way voters might, and I emphasize might, bounce her out on her keester.
Democrats corruption and their hiding behind identity as a shield has given ruse to thievery like this. When your think about it, the terrible Democratic policies in the big cities have done as much or more harm to the plight of black citizens as anything any “conservative” pol has ever enacted. I can’t see why anyone would ever vote Democrat, especially in the County of Cook.
I read in the WAPO this AM where the author said there were two black Americas. He said black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa do not have anywhere near as big a wage or wealth gap as native born blacks. I remember Henry Louis Gates did a PBS special years ago called Beyond the Color line. He went around the US, he found black neighborhoods that were just as prosperous as any middle class white neighborhood. There were men who worked and parented their kids, coached their sports, etc.
The divide was those who were less educated and lived in public housing. This is the systemic racism, and it is largely pushed by the Democrat party and their public assistance that incentivizes women to have children out of marriage and does not hold men responsible and accountable for the children they bring into the world.
John, I have felt sorrow and outrage upon reading your columns before, but this one takes the cake. What was done to Wilkerson, a hero in more ways than I can describe, is exceeded in its evil only by the lack of accountability of those who permitted this atrocity to happen. I’m speechless. Keep telling it like is; and thank you.
What a difference between Florida and Cook County. A lawyer Jason Penrod received 25 years in jail for stealing money from elderly clients, and a former Judge gets a slap on the wrist for stealing
Mike