Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 20, 2012 primary.
Updated 3/17/12Beatriz Santiago - #181
Candidate WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Beatriz Santiago is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms Santiago was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. Ms. Santiago has served in the Felony and Juvenile Justice Courts. While Ms. Santiago has court and trial experience, additional practice experience would enhance her knowledge of the law and ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Beatriz Santiago was admitted to practice in 1996. She is an Assistant Cook County Public Defender defending felony cases in the Juvenile Division. For three years she was in private practice doing personal injury litigation. She is active in community affairs. As an Assistant Public Defender she has tried over 200 bench trials to verdict.
She is considered to have very good legal ability with good litigation skills. She was praised by both judges, colleagues, and prosecutors as being a zealous advocate for her clients while maintaining a professional demeanor. She is praised for her integrity. 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Highly Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
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Mark V. Ferrante - #182
Campaign WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneVideo Interview: Sonny Hersh Election SpecialBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Mark V. Ferrante is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ferrante was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and began his career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. Mr. Ferrante worked for several law firms that concentrate in personal injury trial work before starting his own law firm in 1992. Mr. Ferrante has tried many complex cases and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal ability. Mr. Ferrante has a soft spoken demeanor and is committed to serving the public good through pro bono legal services.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Mark Vincent Ferrante was admitted to practice in Illinois on November 9, 1983. From April 1991 to the present he has worked at the Law Offices of Mark V. Ferrante as the owner of the firm. His practice focuses on personal injury matters. He has served in the Chicago Department of Law. He received a Pro Bono Service Award from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Federal Bar Association. Mark Ferrante is highly praised for his legal ability, his professionalism, his attention to detail, and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters and has written and lectured for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. The Council finds him Well 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 | Highly Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| 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 |
Endorsement
Jewish Chicago
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Gregory Emmett Ahern, Jr. - #183
Campaign WebsiteQuestionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune,
Illinois Civil Justice LeagueBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Gregory E. Ahern, Jr. is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ahern was admit¬ted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and is currently serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Felony Trial Division at the Criminal Court. Mr. Ahern is a first chair in the State’s Attorney’s office and has tried many high profile cases. Mr. Ahern is highly regarded by lawyers and judges for his legal knowledge, experience, fine demeanor and temperament.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Gregory E. Ahern Jr. was admitted into practice in 1995, and has been an Assistant State’s Attorney his entire career. He became a first chair in 2004, handling felony trials. As lead trial counsel, he reports that he has brought 15 cases to a jury verdict. In addition, he has litigated 26 appellate cases. Mr Ahern is described as having good legal ability and is hardworking with an even-keeled temperament. He is considered ethical and is praised by opposing counsel as being honest 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Highly Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Progressive Alliance PAC
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
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Carlos Claudio - #184
No Campaign Website known (there is a Facebook page)
Questionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneVideo Interview: NTNMBar 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:Carlos Claudio did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | 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 | Not Recommended |
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Kent A. Delgado - #186
The Illinois State Board of Elections website advises that this candidate withdrew from this race on March 14.
No Candidate Website knownBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Kent A. Delgado is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Delgado was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney before entering private practice. Mr. Delgado has tried complex criminal cases and is well versed in both criminal and civil law. Mr. Delgado is well regarded for his legal knowledge and ability.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Kent Delgado was admitted to practice in 1996. He is currently a partner with Delgado and Tiernan, PC doing criminal defense, probate, and immigration law. From 1996 to 2007, he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He reports handling 25 criminal jury trials, 1 civil law jury trial, more than 500 criminal law bench trials and 6 civil law bench trials. Mr. Delgado has substantial trial experience in more complex matters. He is respected for his knowledge of the law and for his litigation skills. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, and he is praised for his willingness to mentor other attorneys. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Evaluated |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| 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 | Recommended |
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Richard Lugo - #187
Campaign WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneBar 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:Ricardo Lugo was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2001 and in Wisconsin in 1991. From 1991 to 2000, he served as an Assistant Public Defender, concentrating in juvenile law matters. From 2002 to 2004, he was in private practice in Cook County. His present professional practice is Deputy General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He has been with the Clerk’s Office in some capacity since November 2004. He is currently engaged in human resources matters. His responsibilities for the past seven years have been mostly supervisory and administrative. He currently volunteers as an advisor at the trial advocacy skills clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Lugo is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. Most of his litigation experience is from his employment as an Assistant Public Defender in Wisconsin between 1991 and 2000, although he was involved in a litigation practice in Chicago between 2002 and 2004. Many lawyers praise his work and his litigation skills. The Council is concerned that his litigation experience is not recent and that much of his legal career has not involved litigation. On balance, 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| 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 | Not Recommended |
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