Five file for Ward vacancy

The Cook County Circuit Court vacancy that has so far tied for the largest number of hopefuls is the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John A. Ward.

Judge Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. holds that seat pursuant to Supreme Court appointment and he was endorsed for this vacancy by the Cook County Democratic Party. However, Judge Peter J. Vilkelis has also filed for this vacancy. Judge Vilkelis was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the countywide O'Brien vacancy but was passed over by the Democratic Party at slating time in favor of Cynthia Ramirez, an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Public Health. Vilkelis's campaign website, as of this writing, still claims Ald. Edward M. Burke as honorary chair of the campaign committee.

A third sitting judge, recalled Associate Judge Joan Marie Kubulanza, has also filed for this vacancy.

Rounding out the field are Denise Marie Nalley and Elizabeth Mary Hayes. I've been unable to locate any campaign website for her campaign so far but, according to ARDC, Ms. Hayes is an Assistant Public Defender and has been an Illinois attorney since 1986.