Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the February 2, 2010 primary.
John C. Griffin - #204
Campaign websiteQuestionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League
Video of campaign appearance
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
John C. Griffin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and has a wide range of civil litigation experience. Mr. Griffin has an outstanding demeanor and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge John C. Griffin was admitted to practice in 1976. For 31 years he was in private practice primarily handling real estate, zoning and development-related matters. In March 2008, he was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to a judicial vacancy. He has served in Traffic Court and currently presides over mortgage foreclosure matters in the Foreclosure/Mechanic’s Lien Section. Judge Griffin is reported to have good legal ability and an excellent temperament. He had a good reputation as a hard-working and knowledgeable attorney and is praised for his courtroom management skills and for being well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
IVI-IPO
Illinois Civil Justice League
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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
IVI-IPO
Illinois Civil Justice League
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Carl Evans, Jr. - #205
No campaign website known.
Questionnaire responses: None.
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Carl Evans, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Evans was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Mr. Evans possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Carl Evans, Jr. has been a lawyer since 1993. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, concentrating in criminal defense and personal injury work. He has been an adjunct professor of law at John Marshall Law School since 2001, teaching legal writing, research, and oral advocacy for first-year students. He is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent demeanor. He is praised for being exceptionally hard working and well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Nichole C. Patton - #206
Campaign website
Questionnaire response: Chicago Tribune
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Nichole C. Patton is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Patton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997. While Ms. Patton has an interesting and diverse legal background, at this stage of her career she does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of experience to serve as an Associate Judge. (Note in CBA Green Guide: "Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within two years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' without hearing."The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Nicole Patton was admitted to practice in 1997. She is currently a sole practitioner and was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney having practiced in the areas of real estate taxation, delinquency, child protection, traffic, and appeals. She reports acting as lead counsel in 1 civil jury, 5 criminal juries, 200 criminal bench trials, and 100 civil trials. She has handled 25 cases on appeal. Ms. Patton is considered to have good legal ability and temperament and has the reputation of being a good attorney. The Council is concerned, however, because while Ms. Patton has litigation experience, little of it is in more complex matters. She has the potential for being a good judge but the Council believes she is not yet ready for the bench. The Council finds her Not Qualified at this time.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Evaluated |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
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Thomas "TJ" Somer - #207
No campaign website known
Questionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Thomas "TJ" Somer is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Somers was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and has broad experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Somers is well respected for his legal knowledge and ability, integrity, and fine temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Thomas Joseph “TJ” Somer was admitted to practice in 1991, following 14 years as a police officer in Chicago Heights. After one year working on insurance defense cases for a large firm, he set up his own general practice firm in the south suburbs. Since 1997 he has served as a Supervisor for Bloom Township and, since 2006, he has also served as corporation counsel for the city of Chicago Heights. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Chicago Heights and for Congress. Mr. Somer is reported to have good legal ability and temperament, although his practice is narrow. In addition to the narrowness of his practice, the Council is also concerned that Somer was a defendant in a law suit alleging illegal practices with respect to tax delinquent properties during the time he was the Bloom Township Supervisor. Although the trial court absolved Somer of wrongdoing, the Appellate Court reversed the trial court’s decision. Mr. Somer denies any culpability and insists that this program was appropriate and successful. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Mary Beth Kent Duffy - #208
No campaign website known (there is a Facebook page)
Questionnaire response: Chicago Tribune
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Mary Beth Duffy was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1992 and has been a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney since 1996. She is currently prosecuting felonies as a “First Chair” prosecutor in the Markham courthouse. She has extensive bench and jury trial experience. Ms. Duffy has good legal ability and a good temperament. She is considered to be hard working. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Evaluated |
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