Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Marist alumni to hold November 14 fundraiser for Judge Chris Lawler at the Clifford Law Offices

Robert A. Clifford (Marist Class of 1969) heads a prominent group of Marist alums and lawyers hosting a cocktail party for Judge Chris Lawler (Marist Class of 1981) on Thursday, November 14, starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Clifford Law Offices, 120 N. LaSalle Street.

Tickets for the event are $100 apiece, and sponsorships are available (Friend - $250, Patron - $500). The Marist alumni theme for the event is not random: Judge Lawler has served for several years as a member of the Marist High School Board of Directors, including a five-year stint as Board Chair.

To reserve tickets, or for more information about the event, email Colleen Frontzak at cf@cliffordlaw.com. FWIW has been assured that the event will be open to non-Marist graduates as well, even those who went to Brother Rice.

Comedian Poppy Fields to headline Joanne Rosado fundraiser November 15

Supporters of Joanne Rosado are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Friday, November 15, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., at the Cafe Zalute, 9501 W. Devon in Rosemont.

The campaign notes that comedian Poppy Fields will provide entertainment. The suggested minimum donation for the event is $50 per person and the campaign requests that reservations be made by November 8. To reserve tickets, or for more information, see the events page on the candidate's website.

Joanne Rosado is circulating petitions for the countywide Egan vacancy and for the vacancy in the 11th Judicial Subcircuit.

Jerry Esrig also interviewed on this week's NTNM


Ninth Subcircuit candidate Jerry Esrig is another of Avy Meyers' guests on this week's edition of the North Town News Magazine Program. The interview will air Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on CAN TV Channel 19 in Chicago and on Evanston Cable Channel 6 at 5:00 p.m. Check the NTNM website or your local listings for other air times. Esrig's interview (and all NTNM interviews) are available at the NTNM website (and, of course, you can watch Esrig's interview here).

My thanks to NTNM host and moderator Avy Meyers and his entire technical crew Sonny Hersh for allowing me to post this interview.

Lauren Brougham Glennon campaign web site goes live

Third Subcircuit candidate Lauren Brougham Glennon has established a campaign website. That's a link to her campaign site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Glennon is currently employed by the Chicago firm of Worsek & Vihon LLP. Licensed as an Illinois attorney since 2003, Glennon was formerly a Chicago Assistant Corporation Counsel.

Megan Goldish interviewed on this week's NTNM



Ninth Subcircuit judicial candidate Megan Goldish is among Avy Meyers' guests on this week's edition of the North Town News Magazine Program. The interview will air Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on CAN TV Channel 19 in Chicago and on Evanston Cable Channel 6 at 5:00 p.m. Check the NTNM website or your local listings for other air times. Goldish's interview (and all NTNM interviews) are available at the NTNM website (and, of course, you can watch Goldish's interview here).

My thanks to NTNM host and moderator Avy Meyers and his entire technical crew Sonny Hersh for allowing me to post this interview.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kristal Rivers campaign website goes live

A campaign website has been established for Assistant Attorney General Kristal Rivers, slated by the Cook County Democratic Party for the countywide Connors vacancy. That's a link to the website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Rivers has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1997. According to her campaign website, Rivers was licensed in Texas in 1996. She currently serves in the AG's Sexually Violent Persons Bureau where, according to the campaign website, "she civilly commits sexually violent criminals to a secure facility where they can receive sex offender specific treatment." Before joining the AG's office, Rivers was in private practice from 2001-10. She began her career in the Dallas County Prosecutor’s office in Dallas, Texas.

Judge Daniel J. Kubasiak website online, October 30 fundraiser set

A campaign website has been established for Judge Daniel J. Kubasiak. That's a link to Judge Kubasiak's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar as well.

Kubasiak was appointed to the countywide Egan vacancy by the Illinois Supreme Court late last year. He has been slated for this vacancy by the Cook County Democratic Party.

A 1981 graduate of Loyola University School of Law, Kubasiak served as the First Deputy Comptroller and First Assistant Budget Director of the City of Chicago from 1974-1981. He was Chief Administrative Officer for the Chicago City Council Committee on Finance from 1983 to 1987 and counsel for the Illinois State Treasurer from 1987 to 1994. Kubasiak was a founding partner of Kubasiak, Fylstra, Thorpe & Rotunno, P.C., the firm where he was practicing at the time of his appointment to the bench.

Supporters of Judge Kubasiak are planning a reception for their candidate on Wednesday, October 30 at the Rosebud, 70 W. Madison, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $150, but sponsorships are available ($500 - Friend, $1,000 - Sponsor). To reserve tickets, or more information, email Jackie at jigoe@healylawfirm.com.

November 12 fundraiser planned for Megan Goldish

Supporters of 9th Subcircuit candidate Megan Goldish are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Tuesday, November 12 at the Firehouse Grill in Evanston from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In addition to food and drink, guests at the event will be treated to "free play of classic arcade games," according to the Goldish campaign committee.

Tickets for the event are priced at $60 each, but sponsorships are available (Bronze-ish - $250, Silver-ish - $500, and Gold-ish - $1,000). (I am embarrassed to admit that it took me more than a split second to get that one....)

Persons interested in attending are asked to make reservations by November 8. To make reservations, or for more information, email Nate@KNICommunications.com.

What's in a name? A rose by any other name may smell as sweet -- but may not attract near as many votes

Readers who remember the late 1970s might remember comedian Bill Saluga, although probably not by that name.

The name of Saluga's most famous character, however, may trigger a recollection: Ray J. Johsnon as in, per Wikipedia, "My name is Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me J, or you can call me Johnny, or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me Junie, or you can call me Junior; now you can call me Ray J, or you can call me RJ, or you can call me RJJ, or you can call me RJJ Jr. * * * but you doesn't hasta call me Johnson!"

Each of us may be known by a variety of names over the course of our lives. A person hoping for election to the bench has to sift through the names that he or she has accumulated over a lifetime and decide which of these may be most attractive to voters.

FWIW readers know that some names are simply more attractive to voters than others. Research has shown that persons possessed of certain obviously Irish names have a particularly good track record in winning election to the Cook County bench. But the law does not allow an ambitious candidate to change his or her name in an effort to win election. Yes, there was a lawyer from Park Ridge a few years back who legally changed his proud Germanic-sounding name to one of those obviously Irish monikers, hoping to get a judicial nameplate with his new surname. But the newspapers found out and his judicial aspirations were abandoned (he later changed his name back to what it had been originally).

Meanwhile, §7-10.2 of the Election Code (10 ILCS 5/7-10.2) and several other provisions of the Election Code were amended in 2007 to include this provision:
If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the petition or certificate for that office, whichever is applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the petition or certificate must be followed by "formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each such name change)" and (ii) the petition or certificate must be accompanied by the candidate's affidavit stating the candidate's previous names during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate's name for the ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's or parents' surname, marriage to assume a spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage to assume a former surname.
So candidates must make do with what the names bestowed on them by their parents or spouse or they can use a diminutive of a given name or a nickname.

But the use of a nickname is problematic and potentially fraught with peril: The Election Code does not allow a candidate to use "a title or degree, or nickname suggesting or implying possession of a title, degree or professional status." An appointed judge, to use an obvious example, can not be listed on the ballot as "Judge Mary Jones." In Rita v. Mayden, 364 Ill.App.3d 913 (1st Dist 2006), a candidate who filed petitions for the Illinois State House as Michael E. Mayden ("THE COACH") was removed from the primary ballot because, although it was undisputed that the candidate was a volunteer baseball coach and many people called him Coach, "Mayden's use of the designation 'THE COACH' did more than merely identify him in the way that a name or common nickname does. 'THE COACH' is a title meant to communicate information about Mayden's volunteer work and his special status in the community," and therefore violated the Election Code. (346 Ill.App.3d at 921.) A judicial candidate may wish to seem accessible and down to earth by using a nickname, but the label slapped on the candidate in his long-ago grammar school days (e.g., "Stinky"), may deprive the candidate of some of the gravitas necessary for a judicial candidate.

Nor can a nickname be a political slogan. A "political slogan" is defined by §17-7 of the Election Code "as any word or words expressing or connoting a position, opinion, or belief that the candidate may espouse, including but not limited to, any word or words conveying any meaning other than that of the personal identity of the candidate. A candidate may not use a political slogan as part of his or her name on the ballot, notwithstanding that the political slogan may be part of the candidate's name." Lar "America First" Daly wouldn't get on the ballot today, at least not with that middle name. Nancy "No New Taxes" Jones could not get on the ballot with that name either, even if her parents had her christened with it.

So today's judicial candidate can't change her name, can't list her degrees or other titles, and has to be pretty darned careful if she decides to choose a nickname. And she must decide how her name will appear on the ballot before getting her petitions printed. FWIW asked election law attorney James P. Nally about this. Nally explained, "The Illinois State Board of Elections policy is to certify the candidate's name as it appears on the first page of the petitions for nomination submitted by the candidate. Since the State Board of Elections certifies the names of judicial candidates, a judicial candidate's name would be certified and appear on the ballot just the way it appears on the nomination petition." (Local election authorities might have a different policy for candidates for local offices, such as taking the ballot name from the candidate's statement of candidacy, Nally said.)

The bottom line is that if Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. circulates petitions using that name, he can't be Ray J. Johnson on the ballot -- even though, once he starts campaigning, he finds that actual voters much prefer the shorter form of his name. Just another thing that judicial candidates stress about....

Friday, October 25, 2013

Sarah Cunningham declares for countywide Egan vacancy

Assistant State's Attorney Sarah Cunningham has announced her candidacy for the Egan vacancy on the Cook County Circuit Court. Licensed in Illinois since 1992, Cunningham has held several positions in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office Civil Actions Bureau. She is currently assigned to the Municipal Litigation Unit. In this capacity she defends various Cook County officials and divisions of government in civil litigation.

Cunningham is also an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School, teaching Writing for the Practice of Law. Cunningham's campaign advises that a campaign website is in development.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Bill Raines fundraiser set for November 13

Supporters of countywide judicial candidate Bill Raines (Neville vacancy) are organizing a reception for their candidate on Wednesday, November 13, at Gino's East, 633 N. Wells.

Tickets for the event are $125 each, but sponsorships are available (Supporter - $250, Patron - $500, Sponsor - $1,000, Silver Sponsor - $2,000, or Gold Sponsor - $5,000). To reserve tickets or for more information about the event email rainesforjudge@aol.com.

Bridget Anne Mitchell fundraiser set for November 14

Supporters of countywide judicial candidate Bridget Anne Mitchell (Arnold vacancy) are planning a cocktail reception in honor of their candidate on Thursday, November 14 at the Rosebud in the Three First National Plaza building, 70 W. Madison Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $150 each but sponsorships are available ($500 - Patron, $1,000 - Sponsor). Tickets will be available at the door. To reserve tickets, or for more information, contact Nancy L. Mitchell.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Maureen O'Donoghue Hannon campaign website found

Found on the Internet: A campaign website has been put up for Assistant State's Attorney Maureen O'Donoghue Hannon. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; the link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed in Illinois since 1991, Hannon's website notes that she currently serves as Supervisor of the Conflicts Counsel Unit in the State's Attorney's Office, representing "County defendants in cases with a potential conflict of interest that were formerly sent out to private firms." Hannon has worked in several different capacities in the State's Attorney's Civil Action Bureau during the course of her career.

Michael A. Strom interviewed on this week's NTNM



Ninth Subcircuit judicial candidate Michael A. Strom is among Avy Meyers' guests on this week's edition of the North Town News Magazine Program. The interview will air Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on CAN TV Channel 19 in Chicago and on Evanston Cable Channel 6 at 5:00 p.m. Check the NTNM website or your local listings for other air times. Strom's interview (and all NTNM interviews) are available at the NTNM website (and, of course, you can watch Strom's interview here).

My thanks to NTNM host and moderator Avy Meyers and his entire technical crew Sonny Hersh for allowing me to post this interview.

Abbey Fishman Romanek campaign website updated

Ninth Subcircuit judicial candidate Abbey Fishman Romanek (Preston vacancy) has updated her campaign website for the 2014 campaign. That's a link to her site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Justice Shelly A. Harris announces plans to seek Gordon vacancy

Justice Harris
Appellate Court Justice Shelly A. Harris has announced his intention to file for the for the Gordon vacancy in the March 18 Democratic primary. Here is the statement issued today by Justice Harris:
When Joseph Gordon died last year the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District lost a brilliant jurist who had a profound knowledge of the law. His passing has resulted in one of the three vacancies on the Appellate Court which will be filled in the 2014 elections.

Today I am announcing that I am a candidate in the March primary election to fill his vacancy. A deciding factor for me was that I believe of the people running for this vacancy, I am the best qualified to continue the high standard of competency that he embodied. I am the candidate who has Appellate Court experience, been found Qualified or Recommend by all bar associations to serve on the Court and has the most judicial experience. I believe it is important that we continue to have the best people on the Appellate Court.

No candidate for the Gordon vacancy can better or match my experience and qualifications:
  • Justice of Appellate Court, First District since 2010 having authored over 140 Opinions and Orders.
  • Rated Qualified/Recommended by every bar association that rates judges.
  • Over 25 years Trial Lawyer Experience
  • 10 years Circuit Court Cook County Trial Judge
  • Former Chicago Public Schools Teacher
I look forward to the election campaign and ask for your support.

Respectfully,

Shelly A. Harris

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Judge Chris Lawler campaign fundraiser set for October 29

Supporters of Judge Chris Lawler (candidate for the Sterba vacancy in the 15th Subcircuit) are planning an October 29 fundraising reception for their candidate on Tuesday, October 29, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Bremen VFW Post 2791, 17147 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

All tickets for the event are $40 each. Food and beverages will be served. To reserve tickets, or for more information, call (815) 469-8303.

9th Subcircuit candidate Anjana Hansen interviewed on NTNM



Ninth Subcircuit judicial candidate Anjana Hansen (Meyer vacancy) is interviewed on this week's edition of Avy Meyers' North Town News Magazine Program. The interview will air tomorrow in Chicago on CAN TV Channel 19 and on Evanston Cable Channel 6 at 5:00 p.m. Check the NTNM website or your local listings for other air times. Hansen's interview (and all NTNM interviews) are available at the NTNM website or, if that seems inconvenient or too much of a hassle, you can watch the interview here.

My thanks to NTNM host and moderator Avy Meyers and his entire technical crew Sonny Hersh for allowing me to post this interview.

October 30 fundraiser planned for James E. Hanlon, Jr.

Supporters of 12th Subcircuit candidate James E. Hanlon, Jr. are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub, 8 N. Vail Avenue in Arlington Heights.

The minimum suggested donation to attend the event is $100, but sponsorships are available for $250, $500 or $1,000. To reserve tickets, or for additional information about the event, call Thom Mannard at (847) 997-3020.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Judge Andrea M. Buford campaign website goes live

A campaign website is now live for Judge Andrea M. Buford. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Judge Buford was appointed to the countywide Veal vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court and was thereafter slated in that race by the Cook County Democratic Party.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Patrick Kevin Coughlin fundraiser set for November 7

Supporters of 15th Subcircuit candidate Patrick Kevin Coughlin are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Thursday, November 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park.

Tickets for the event are $50 apiece (although law enforcement officers will be admitted for $40) and sponsorships are available (Neighbor - $100, Friend - $250, Patron - $1,000, or Benefactor - $2,500). Food and a limited open bar are included in the ticket price.

Tickets are available at the door or through the campaign website.

Friday, October 11, 2013

James Patrick Crawley announces for Veal vacancy; November 19 fundraiser planned

Chicago attorney James Patrick Crawley has announced he is running for the countywide judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Pamela Hill Veal. Crawley had previously announced plans to seek judicial office this past May; his campaign website has been in the blog Sidebar for some time now.

Meanwhile, Crawley’s campaign committee has announced plans to host a "Meet the Candidate" Campaign Kick-Off event on Tuesday, November 19, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at The Florentine in the JW Marriott Hotel, 151 W. Adams Street. The event is remarkable in that there is no charge to attend -- that is, it will be free -- "for persons interested in meeting the candidate or who wish to show their support," according to the campaign. Sponsorships are nevertheless available for $100, $250, $500 or $1,500. However, the campaign is asking persons interested in attending to contact info@CrawleyForJudge.org by November 16th to reserve a place.

Petitions, past and present, and hanging around outside the 9th Subcircuit slating meeting

The beautiful Fall weather we've all been enjoying recently has been particularly significant for persons interested in judicial elections. Pretty much everyone takes advantage of this beautiful weather to go to football games or cut the grass or hang out the laundry, but political people see this extended clement spell as perfect petition weather.

Last weekend, veteran blogger Carl Nyberg emailed me inquiring whether judicial candidates are gathering their own signatures.

It's not required, you know. A candidate with lots of organizational support can find more than enough surrogates to conduct this thankless task. With enough money, a candidate can hire the work done.

Any judicial candidate -- any candidate for any office -- needs significant help to gather enough good signatures to meet the stringent signature requirements for ballot access in Illinois. If judicial candidates were required to get all their own signatures, they wouldn't have time to practice law. But what Mr. Nyberg was interested in was whether judicial candidates are really getting out and talking to voters -- and that's a fair question.

Some, surely, are bringing their petitions to their kids' football games. I've signed my share of petitions at school sporting events before. But that's not really getting out and talking to the voters. Oh, sure, the candidates' fellow football or soccer parents are voters, too, and every signature counts, but these are friends or, at least, nodding acquaintances of the candidates. There's something to be said for trudging door to door, I thought to myself, poll sheet in hand, asking complete strangers for their signatures and, ultimately, for support.

It was by following this method that I was introduced to the Chicago equivalent of Derbett's Peerage 20 years ago, when I ran (quite unsuccessfully) in the 10th Subcircuit. When I could get someone to open their door, I was likely to be cross-examined about what I did for a living. I was in private practice, I'd respond, providing varying degrees of detail depending on the interest (or patience) of the person at the door. I quickly found out that being in private practice ranked me below any Assistant State's Attorney, Assistant Attorney General, Assistant Corporation Counsel or Assistant Public Defender.

Sometimes people would try and be helpful. Well, what about your father? they'd ask. Was he Police? Fire Department? Streets and San? With each negative response, you could see their hopes for my candidacy dwindle further. My father was an attorney, too, I'd say finally. At that point (in the Fall of 1993), he'd been a lawyer for over 40 years and was one of the most respected lawyers in the title insurance industry. Title insurance? they'd ask, doubtfully. It rekindled no spark in my would-be supporters, however. Still, nearly all of those who stayed with me this far would sign my petitions, if only out of pity. "Good luck," many of them said. The "you'll need it" was seldom expressed openly, but always implied.

My reminiscence was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.

Sure enough, it was someone passing petitions.

The man at the door asked me to sign the sheet for the Democratic slate of MWRD candidates. I did. "Are you doing this for Mary O'Connor, then?" I asked (I live in the 41st Ward). "No," said my visitor, "I'm helping out Johnny Mulroe." Well, I thought, all politics is at least partly personal. Still, State Sen. John G. Mulroe is the President of the 41st Ward Democratic Organization (Ald. Mary O'Connor is the Committeeman) so I took that as a distinction without a difference.

My visitor also had two judicial petitions for me to sign. One was for Katherine A. O'Dell, who is running in the 10th Subcircuit. There's been no slating yet in the 10th but I had heard the real battle for slating would be between sitting Judge Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos (who dropped out of the 10th Subcircuit race in 2012 when then-Ald. Tom Allen jumped in) and Assistant Corporation Counsel Linda J. Pauel (who has attracted significant support, including that of 45th Ward Ald. and Committeeman John Arena). Perhaps my informants weren't as well informed as they thought. My visitor's other petition was for Judge Peter J. Vilkelis, running for the Connors vacancy, the vacancy to which he was most recently appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court. (Judge Vilkelis was passed over by the Central Committee of the Cook County Democratic Party for that vacancy in favor of Assistant Attorney General Kristal Royce Rivers.)

Petitions were still on my mind Tuesday evening when I showed up for the 9th Subcircuit slating meeting at the Skokie office of Niles Township Democratic Committeeman, State Rep. Lou Lang. Rep. Lang explained that the room where the candidates would be interviewed was too small for me to observe, but he welcomed me to stay and visit with the candidates while they waited their turns.

I stayed for a few hours and I can advise Mr. Nyberg that most of the 9th Subcircuit hopefuls that I saw, at least, were apparently carrying petitions on their person. Some 13 candidates were scheduled to present their credentials to the assembled committeemen or their proxies. FWIW has mentioned seven of these so far this cycle -- Judge Michael F. Otto, soon-to-be Judge Jerry Esrig, Anjana Hansen, Thomas M. Cushing, Michael Strom, Megan Goldish, and Abbey Fishman Romanek -- but also scheduled to present were Monica Forte, Brian Alexander, Carolyn Gallagher, Sheryl Rae Ghezzi, Dennis Fleming and Mary Rita Luecke.

The back room must have been small -- and uncomfortably warm besides -- because, although room was found to accommodate Northfield Township Committeeman Mike Kreloff when he arrived late, the interviews grew shorter as the evening lengthened, and soon I had no more waiting candidates in the outer office with whom I could schmooze. Jake Peavy was pitching for the Sox in the ALDS, albeit the wrong Sox, and I took advantage of the lull to sneak home.

Although the interviews of judicial candidates are now concluded, Rep. Lang said Tuesday night that the committeemen would not be voting on a slate that evening.

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Katherine A. O'Dell fundraiser set for October 30

Supporters of 10th Subcircuit candidate Katherine A. O'Dell are planning an October 30 fundraiser for their candidate, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard Street, in Chicago's River North neighborhood.

Tickets for the event are $100 each, but sponsorships are available for $500, $750 or $1,000 (co-chair). To reserve tickets, or for more information about the event, please email Diana Bosnjak at kodellforjudge.coordinator@gmail.com.

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Bridget Anne Mitchell announces for countywide Arnold vacancy

Chicago attorney, Bridget Anne Mitchell has announced plans to seek the countywide Arnold vacancy in the upcoming March primary. That's a link to her campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar as well.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1981, Mitchell currently maintains a LaSalle Street office in the Loop where, according to an emailed announcement received today from the candidate's sister, Nancy L. Mitchell, the candidate concentrates her practice in personal injury and wrongful death matters.

In addition to Nancy, Bridget Anne Mitchell is also the sister of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Raymond W. Mitchell. Judge Raymond W. Mitchell was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008 and thereafter won election (in 2010) to the vacancy to which he had been appointed.

Bridget Anne Mitchell is, according to her campaign website, a lifelong resident of the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood. The committee page of her website notes some very prominent supporters, including former Governor James R. Thompson and his wife Jayne Carr Thompson, former U.S. Attorney Dan K. Webb, and Corboy & Demetrio managing partner Robert J. Bingle. Today's campaign announcement also notes that Mitchell is married to Daniel T. Crowe, a partner concentrating in workers compensation matters for the firm of Chilton, Yambert & Porter.

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Updated 10/10/13 when Blogger finally allowed me to update link list....

Monday, October 07, 2013

Fundraiser for Judge Andrea Buford planned for October 16

Judge Andrea Buford is having a fundraiser tomorrow, October 8, but a second October fundraiser is also being planned for Judge Buford, this one on October 16, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Cavanaugh's, 53 W. Jackson (the campaign is asking supporters to use the Federal Street entrance).

Tickets for the October 16 event are $100 each, but sponsorships are available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000, Platinum - $2,500).

To reserve tickets or for more information about the event, email celesmays@sbcglobal.net. Responses are requested by October 11.

Saturday, October 05, 2013

Abbey Fishman Romanek seeking Preston vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit

Her campaign website hasn't been updated from 2012 yet, but Abbey Fishman Romanek's campaign page on Facebook confirms that she will be seeking the Preston vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit in the March 2014 primary election.

This will be Romanek's third consecutive attempt at winning election to the bench in the 9th Subcircuit.

Committeemen in the 9th Subcircuit will reportedly meet next Tuesday to make endorsements for the three judicial vacancies in that Subcircuit.

Friday, October 04, 2013

Jerry Esrig appointed to Goldberg vacany in 9th Subcircuit

Chicago attorney Jerry Esrig was already running for judge in the 9th Subcircuit.

Now, however, he'll be running with some of the trappings of incumbency: The Illinois Supreme Court today appointed Esrig to the Goldberg vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit. Esrig's appointment is effective October 30; it expires December 1, 2014. His appointment was recommended by the screening committee recently established by Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis.

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See also: Supreme Court's press release regarding Esrig appointment

Lauren Brougham Glennon planning 3rd Subcircuit judicial bid

Updated with information provided by the Glennon campaign 10/4/13

Chicago attorney Lauren Brougham Glennon has announced plans to run for the newly-opened Cook County Circuit Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial Subcircuit. There is, as of yet, no campaign website that I can find, only this Facebook page and Twitter feed (if that's the correct nomenclature). This picture of the candidate and her family is taken from the Facebook page.

Glennon is currently employed by the Chicago firm of Worsek & Vihon LLP. Licensed as an Illinois attorney since 2003, Glennon was formerly a Chicago Assistant Corporation Counsel.

Peter Vilkelis campaign website launched, fundraiser set

Per email received, Judge Peter Vilkelis has launched a campaign website and his supporters are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on October 24, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Cavanaugh's, in the Monadnock Building, 53 W. Jackson.

That's a link to Judge Vilkelis's website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

The Vilkelis campaign is asking for a $100 minimum donation for the October 24 event, payable through the campaign website or at the door. Reservations, however, are requested by October 17. To make reservations, or for more information about the event, email questions@vilkelis.com.

Vilkelis has served on the bench since 2011. Initially appointed to the O'Brien vacancy in 2011, Judge Vilkelis ran unsuccessfully for the Ward vacancy in the March 2012 primary. In December 2012 the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Vilkelis to the countywide vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Maureen E. Connors to the Appellate Court. Vilkelis's website confirms that he is running for the Connors vacancy.

Thursday, October 03, 2013

John J. Mahoney plans judicial run in 4th Subcircuit

Assistant State's Attorney John J. Mahoney has announced plans to run for Cook County Circuit Court Judge in the 4th Subcircuit. That's a link to Mahoney's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an Illinois attorney since 1984, Mahoney is Supervisor of the Cook County State's Attorney's Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit, an assignment which, according to his campaign website, includes supervisory authority over mortgage fraud cases. Mahoney's campaign website also notes his prosecutorial responsibility in the Burr Oaks Cemetery and Republic Doors and Windows matters. Married to attorney Laura A. Holwell, with three grown children, Mahoney resides in Oak Lawn.

Who Sits Where -- Early October and Petitions are Circulating Edition

This is an update of a post that appeared most recently in August.

Here is the list of Cook County vacancies showing, where applicable, the identity of the person appointed to each vacancy by the Illinois Supreme Court. There may be (and often are) additional vacancies, some of which may be filled by the Supreme Court before this list closes in November. (There is a special filing period for judicial vacancies occurring between November 11 and December 2.) As always, all errors or omissions in this list are mine alone and I am grateful for additions and corrections provided.

Appellate Court Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. Joseph Gordon -- William H. Taylor
Vacancy of the Hon. Michael J. Murphy -- John B. Simon
Vacancy of the Hon. John O. Steele -- Sheldon A. Harris

Countywide Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. Nancy J. Arnold -- Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.
Vacancy of the Hon. Dennis J. Burke -- Michael F. Otto
Vacancy of the Hon. Maureen E. Connors -- Peter J. Vilkelis
Vacancy of the Hon. James D. Egan -- Daniel J. Kubasiak
Vacancy of the Hon. Donna Phelps Felton -- Thomas J. Carroll
Vacancy of the Hon. Nathaniel R. Howse, Jr. -- Caroline K. Moreland
Vacancy of the Hon. Barbara A. McDonald -- Cynthia Y. Cobbs
Vacancy of the Hon. P. Scott Neville -- Gregory Emmett Ahern, Jr.
Vacancy of the Hon. Jesse Reyes -- Jean Margaret Cocozza
Vacancy of the Hon. Pamela Hill Veal -- Andrea M. Buford

Subcircuit Vacancies

2nd Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. William D. O'Neal -- vacant

3rd Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Christopher J. Donnelly -- Roger G. Fein

4th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Richard J. Billik, Jr. -- Daniel L. Peters

7th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. W. Taylor -- Freddrenna M. Lyle

9th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Allen S. Goldberg -- vacant
Vacancy of the Hon. Barbara M. Meyer -- vacant
Vacancy of the Hon. Lee Preston -- Allan W. Masters

10th Subcircuit
Additional Judgeship A -- Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos

11th Subcircuit
Additional Judgeship A -- Pamela McLean Meyerson

12th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Edward R. Jordan -- James L. Kaplan

13th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Anthony A. Iosco -- Lauretta Higgins Wolfson

15th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. John T. Doody, Jr. -- Diana L. Embil
Vacancy of the Hon. David P. Sterba -- Christopher Edward Lawler

Be sure to check the Illinois State Board of Elections website periodically for updates to its list of judicial vacancies for the 2014 election.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Judge Roger G. Fein appointed to Donnelly vacancy in 3rd Subcircuit

The Illinois Supreme Court today appointed Judge Roger G. Fein to a Third Subcircuit vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Christopher J. Donnelly.

Judge Fein began his judicial career in 2003 when he was appointed to a vacancy in the 12th Judicial Subcircuit. Although he'd run for the Appellate Court as a Democrat in 2002, Fein ran as a Republican in the 12th Subcircuit in 2004, losing in the primary. (Although the situation has since changed, as of 2004 only Republicans had been elected to the bench from the 12th Subcircuit.)

Judge Fein was thereafter recalled to judicial service on a number of occasions, most recently in 2010. That appointment was set to expire on November 30, 2013; Judge Fein's new appointment is effective as of November 15 and expires on December 1.

Today's appointment of Judge Fein to a specific vacancy is consistent with the Supreme Court's recently adopted policy of refusing to use its recall power to keep judges on the bench who have been unsuccessful in their bids for election to judicial office.

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Related: In defense of the Supreme Court's recent practice of recalling appointed judges who've lost in a primary election;
Further inquiry into appointed-then-recalled judges;
Chicago Council of Lawyers refines position on recall of judges

Michael Barrett Campaign Kickoff set for October 16

Supporters of Michael Barrett, candidate for the Sterba vacancy in the 15th Subcircuit, have announced a Campaign Kickoff for their candidate on Wednesday, October 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th Street in Orland Park.

Tickets for the event are $100 each, but sponsorships are available ($250 - Friend, $500 - Patron, Event Host - $1,000, Event Sponsor - $2,500).

For more information about the fundraiser, or to make reservations, contact Elizabeth at (312) 869-9291.

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Maritza Martinez fundraiser set for October 16

Supporters of Cook County Circuit Court candidate Maritza Martinez are planning a cocktail reception for their candidate on Wednesday, October 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the offices of Webster Powell PC, 320 W. Ohio Street, Suite 501, in Chicago. Tickets for the event are $250 each, but sponsorships are available ($500 - Patron, $750 - Supporter, $1,000 - Sponsor).

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Webster Powell PC are the Honorary Co-Chairs of the event.

To reserve tickets, or for more information about it, contact the Committee to Elect Maritza Martinez c/o the Law Office of Victor J. Cacciatore, 527 S. Wells Street, Suite 800, Chicago.

Martinez was slated by the Democratic Party for the countywide Burke vacancy.

William "Bill" Raines appears on NTNM, launches campaign website



Cook County Circuit Court candidate William "Bill" Raines is one of Avy Meyers's guests on this week's edition of North Town News Magazine. The first link in the preceding sentence is to Raines's campaign website; a link to that site has also been added to the blog Sidebar. Raines was endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party for the countywide Neville vacancy.

NTNM is shown on CAN-TV 19 in Chicago on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Fridays at 2:30 p.m. In Evanston, NTNM airs on ECTV 6 on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. NTNM airs on several other suburban cable systems; consult your local listings.

My thanks to Avy Meyers and his entire technical crew, Sonny Hersh, for allowing me to share Raines's NTNM appearance here.