10th Subcircuit -- Kowalski vacancy: Organizing the data

107 -- James Edward Snyder

James Edward Snyder: In his own words

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge James Edward Snyder is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Snyder was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and was appointed to the bench in 2007. Judge Snyder is currently assigned to the First Municipal District, Civil Division, where he presides over both bench and jury trials. Judge Snyder enjoys his assignment and possesses all the requisite qualifications to continue serving as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Qualified (evaluated for the 2004 Primary election)

James E. Snyder was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988. Since 2000, he has
served as General Counsel to the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Between 1994 and 2000, he was a sole practitioner representing small businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations and local governments. During this time Mr. Snyder served as a Hearing Officer with the City of Chicago and as a City of Chicago Personnel Board Hearing Officer. From 1988 to 1991 he served as a staff attorney for the Chicago Housing Authority, working in forcible entry and detainer courtrooms. Mr. Snyder is described as a hard working, knowledgeable practitioner with a excellent temperament. He has sufficient litigation experience and is reported to have good legal ability. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Highly Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Not Evaluated

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

IVI-IPO

Personal PAC

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108 -- Ursula Walowski

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Ursula Walowski is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Walowski was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and currently serves as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Criminal Division. Ms. Walowski is well respected for her integrity, knowledge of the law, and exceptional trial skills.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Qualified (evaluated for the 2006 Associate Judge evaluations)

Ursula Walowski has practiced law in Illinois since 1993. She has been an Assistant
Cook County State’s Attorney since 1994. Before that she was briefly an attorney for Bank One, for whom she had been an accounting clerk since 1987. Ms. Walowski is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has extensive litigation experience and enjoys a reputation of being fair and hard-working. The Council finds her Qualified to serve in the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Highly Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council

Chicago Tribune

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109 -- Gerald Patrick Cleary

Campaign website

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Gerald Patrick Cleary is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Cleary was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and has extensive civil jury trial experience. Mr. Cleary is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, integrity, and outstanding demeanor and temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Gerald Patrick Cleary III has been a lawyer since 1989. He is currently a partner at SmithAmundsun, doing a variety of civil litigation. He leads the firm’s aerospace practice and also represents municipalities and corporations in civil rights matters. From 1990 to 1997 he was an associate attorney at Query & Harrow doing civil litigation. Mr. Cleary is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent temperament. He is praised for being exceptionally knowledgeable, hard-working, and fair. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Not Evaluated

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Federation of Labor

Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

Italian American Political Coalition

Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois

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110 -- Stephen F. Sidlowski

Stephen F. Sidlowski: In his own words

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Stephen F. Sidlowski is "Not Recommended" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Sidlowski was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and has served as a public guardian and hearing officer in the Juvenile Court. Mr. Sidlowski is currently a researcher in the Chief Judge’s office. While Mr. Sidlowski enjoys a fine reputation, he does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Stephen F. Sidlowski has been a lawyer since 1989. He is currently a staff attorney in the Legal Research Division of the Office of the Chief Judge. From 1995 to 2006 he served as a Judicial Hearing Officer in the Child Protection Division. From 1993 to 1995 he was an attorney with the Archdiocese of Chicago and from 1989 to 1993 he served as a Cook County Assistant Public Guardian. Mr. Sidlowski is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. Some respondents in this evaluation, however, said that he is often not punctual and some said that his tardiness is pervasive. The Council is also concerned that he does not have substantial experience in complex matters and he has no jury trial experience. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Not Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Not Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Not Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Illinois Citizens for Life

Illinois Committee for Honest Government

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