Who's running for judge? An update

Debra B. Walker, a partner with Clausen Miller PC, has organized a campaign committee. Walker was a finalist in the most recent round of Associate Judge selection. She served as President of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois in 1998-99. A C.P.A. as well as a lawyer, Walker's Clausen Miller biography reports that Walker has "was recently appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation." Senator Richard Durbin appointed Walker to his nominations commission. Walker is also a past president of the North Michigan Avenue Business and Professional Women’s Network.

A committee has also been set up to support Joan Ellen Smuda's new bid to regain a seat on the Cook County Circuit Court. Currently an Assistant Attorney General, Smuda was appointed to the Circuit Court in 1995 but lost her 1996 primary bid to keep her seat when she was unable to secure the Democratic Party endorsement. Smuda has also served as general counsel for the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.

A D-1 has been filed for the Friends of Carmen Kathleen Aguilar, an Assistant State's Attorney. Ms. Aguilar is apparently planning a run in the 4th Subcircuit.

Another Assistant State's Attorney, Anna Helen Demacopoulos has recently reorganized a campaign committee. Ms. Demacopoulos was a candidate in the 15th Subcircuit in 2002 and 2004 primaries and was a finalist for Associate Judge in 2003 and 2005.

A committee has also been formed to support the candidacy of James E. Babcock Jr. in the 13th Subcircuit. Babcock, a lawyer since 1985, is a partner with Spinak & Babcock PC in downtown Chicago. Babcock and his partner made the Law Bulletin in 2006 when they won a $5.4 million verdict on behalf of a client after a two week trial in the Federal Court (Caletz and Evans v. Transport Carriers Inc., et al., No. 99 C 8146).