Granted, it was no mystery to the persons involved, but when I looked at the list of candidates filing in the 5th Subcircuit, I couldn't find out anything about Helen Paxton. I concluded my post with a plea for information.
Well, ask and ye shall receive: An email arrived a few days back from Kulmeet S. Galhotra advising that Helen Paxton is Helen Paxton Arnold, an Assistant Public Defender at 555 W. Harrison. Paxton has been working in domestic violence courtrooms, he advised, since the courthouse was at 13th and Michigan. And "Bob" Galhotra should know; he's President of the Cook County Public Defenders' Association (he was also kind enough to send along the link to the union's website).
Herewith the races so far in the 5th Subcircuit:
Bush Vacancy
Jackie Marie Portman holds down the top ballot spot in the race for the Bush vacancy. Portman has been a lawyer since 1999, and is making her second run for the bench. She finished fourth in the 2004 primary contest for the Cox vacancy, about 18,000 votes behind the winner, Edward Washington, II. Portman is employed by the City of Chicago Office of Professional Standards. An objection has been filed to her candidacy.
Next on the ballot will be Judge Furmin D. Sessions, recently appointed to that vacancy by the Illinois Supreme Court. An objection has also been filed to his candidacy.
Nkrumah Lumumba Hopkins holds the third and final ballot position for this vacancy. An attorney since 1998, she is a solo practitioner with an office on East 53rd Street.
Additional Judgeship A
Stephen Stern won the top spot for this race. Stern is a former president of the Cook County Bar Association. He too has a solo law office; his is in the Loop.
Dominique C. Ross has been a lawyer since 1995. She maintains a solo office at 26th and Michigan.
Helen Paxton will have the last spot on the ballot in this race; she did not file her papers until later in the morning of October 29th and so was not eligible for the ballot lottery. Objections are pending to her candidacy and to Stephen Stern's.
Collins-Ross does not belong in this race. It is good that she withdrew her candidacy for the 5th Sub Circuit Judge. The only challenge is that she has chosen to run for Additional Judgeship.
ReplyDeleteAs a solo practioner she needs "Additional Attorneyship" first. Professionalism is key in any field. She hasn't yet achieved this goal, that is, if it is even a goal.
Let The Voter Beware!
I don't want to become an accessory to anonymous personal attacks. I understand that people reading this blog will have information about particular candidates and not all of it will be favorable. I would hope, however, that, in future, if a person wishes to provide critical observations about a candidate, that person would have the courage and consideration to use his or her own name. Thanks.
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