This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The sheriff's office in Cook Co., Illinois changed from Republican to Democrat in 1970. The new regime fired all civil service workers in the office who did not switch allegiance to the Democratic Party. Burns (P) and others challenged the constitutionality of this action, and the lower court held the dismissals to be unconstitutional.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.