Judge Who Let Clerk Wear Robe, Hear Cases Is ‘Mentally Unable’ To Do Her Job

Judge Valarie Turner, who this summer allowed a law clerk to wear her robe and hear traffic cases, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and can no longer perform her job, according to the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board. The state board said Turner has memory loss and is “mentally unable” to perform the tasks of her position. The documents contained no accusations of misconduct, but said the commission would take “appropriate” action against Turner.