Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Organizing the Data: countywide McDonald vacancy

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 18, 2014 primary.

This race was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Updated 3/13/14

Cynthia Y. Cobbs -- #151

Campaign Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald

Video Interviews: Election 2014 Special, NTNM Election Special

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Cynthia Y. Cobbs is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Cobbs was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served as a law clerk in the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Cobbs held a number of administrative positions in the courts before becoming Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. In 2011, Judge Cobbs was appointed a Circuit Court Judge and is currently assigned to a trial courtroom in the First Municipal Division. Judge Cobbs received favorable reviews from lawyers who have appeared before her and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Cynthia Cobbs was admitted to practice in 1988. She was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2011. From 2002 to 2011, she served as the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, where she drafted proposed amendments to Supreme Court rules, administered Supreme Court rules, was responsible for enforcing standards governing filing protocols for the offices of the circuit court clerks, and participated and facilitated Supreme Court committees. From 1997 to 2002, she was an attorney and then the Chief Legal Counsel for the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. From 1990 to 1997 she was the senior judicial law clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman. Since January 2013 she has been assigned to a civil trial call in the First Municipal District. From 2011 to 2013 she was assigned to the Traffic Division. Judge Cobbs is considered to have good legal ability and is reported to have a good judicial temperament. She is praised for her courtroom management skills in her current assignment. She explains her rulings to the parties and is considered to be knowledgeable, as well as patient with pro se litigants. 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 ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationHighly Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
Laborers' District Council of Chicago & Vicinity
IVI-IPO
Citizen Action/ Illinois
Soul Slate
Democratic Women of the South Suburbs
Chicago Crusader

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Linda L. Mastandrea -- #152

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement: Cook County Clerk's website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald

Video Interview: NTNM

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Linda L. Mastandrea is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Mastandrea was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and concentrates her practice in disability and administrative Law. Ms. Mastandrea has extensive experience as a Special Education Hearing Officer and as a Hearing Officer for Chicago’s Building Board of Appeals. Ms. Mastandrea is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and fine demeanor.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Linda Mastandrea was admitted to practice in 1995. She is a solo practitioner focusing on administrative adjudication in cases involving disabled individuals. She has also served as a Hearing Officer for a variety of state and local agencies. Most lawyers report that Ms. Mastandrea is a strong advocate, knows the law, and has a good demeanor. A few, however, questioned her ability to manage cases. She is exceptionally active in community affairs. The Council is concerned, however, that she does not have the substantial litigation experience in more complex matters required to be a Circuit Judge. The Council finds her Not 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 ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisNot Recommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationNot Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
United Hellenic Voters of America
Italian American Political Coalition
Personal PAC

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