Mass judicial recusal in case against ex-judge EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal judge has recused himself from presiding in the case of an ex-Illinois judge accused of gun and drug charges. The Belleville News-Democrat reported U.S. District Judge William D. Stiehl on Wednesday removed himself from the case of former St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael Cook. Cook has pleaded not guilty to possessing heroin and having a gun while illegally using controlled substances. The case was temporarily reassigned to Chief …