Democratic Candidates
107 -- Thomas R. Mahoney
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Thomas R. Mahoney is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Mahoney was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and has served as an Assistant State's Attorney since 1993. Mr. Mahoney is currently the deputy supervisor of the Gang Crime Unit. Mr. Mahoney has extensive trial experience and is well respected for his integrity, legal knowledge, and outstanding temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Thomas R. Mahoney has been a lawyer since 1992. He is a career Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney, currently serving as the Deputy Supervisor of the Gang Crime Unit. He is an adjunct professor in the trial advocacy program at the DePaul law school. Defense counsel and prosecutors report that Mr. Mahoney has good legal ability and temperament. He is considered to be a zealous, but fair prosecutor who is also praised for his abilities as a supervisor. The Council finds him Well 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 – Not Evaluated
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 – Not Evaluated
Other Recommendations or Endorsements
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
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108 -- Thomas "TJ" Somer
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Thomas "TJ" Somer is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Somers was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and has broad experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Somers is well respected for his legal knowledge and ability, integrity, and fine temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Thomas Somer was admitted to practice in 1991, following 14 years as a police officer in Chicago Heights. After one year working on insurance defense cases for a large firm, he set up his own general practice firm in the south suburbs. Since 1997 he has served as a Supervisor for Bloom Township and, since 2006, he has also served as corporation counsel for the city of Chicago Heights. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Chicago Heights and for Congress. Mr. Somer is reported to have good legal ability and temperament, and has sufficient litigation experience in complex matters. The Council finds him 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 – Not Evaluated
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Not Recommended
Illinois State Bar Association – Not Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Not Evaluated
Other Recommendations or Endorsements
Italian American Political Coalition
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109 -- Mary Louise Ryan Norwell
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Mary Louise Ryan Norwell is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Norwell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and serves as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney assigned to the 6th Municipal District in Markham. Ms. Norwell possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Not Qualified (Evaluated for the 2004 Primary Election)
Mary Louise Ryan Norwell was admitted to practice in 1984. She has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for her entire career, although much of that time was spent handling grand jury matters. She currently serves in the Special Litigation Unit. Since 1991, she has also had a solo private practice in which she handles adoptions, real estate, and estate planning. Ms. Norwell has good legal ability and is praised for her temperament. She has been active in community activities. The Council is concerned that she has too little actual courtroom experience to adequately prepare her for the bench. Although she has demonstrated good analytical skills in her various assignments, the Council finds her Not Qualified at this time 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 Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Highly Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended
Illinois State Bar Association – Not Evaluated
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
Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois
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110 -- Anna Helen DemacopoulosCandidate website
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Anna Helen Demacopoulos is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Demacopoulos was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and currently serves as a supervisor in the special prosecutions unit of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Ms. Demacopoulos is highly regarded for her integrity, legal knowledge and ability, and outstanding temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Well Qualified (Evaluated for Associate Judge in 2002)
Anna Helen Demacopoulos was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1985. Ms. Demacopoulos has spent her entire career with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and is currently the Supervisor, Special Grand Jury, in the Narcotics Bureau at 26th and California. Prior to that she was a Deputy Supervisor in Felony Review (3 years), a Deputy Supervisor in the First Municipal Division (5 years), and an Assistant State’s Attorney (8 years). From 1987 to the present, she has been an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School teaching all levels of trial advocacy. Since 1997, she has been the Grant Reviewer and Program Consultant onDomestic Violence, Stalking, Hate Crimes and Community Prosecution for the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women’s Office. The investigation of this candidate confirmed her talent as a lawyer, her integrity and her work ethic.
Ms. Demacopoulos identified two cases in which her professional conduct has been
commented on by the Appellate Court. A Chicago Tribune investigation also uncovered a 1989 Batson violation that the district judge found to be the product of the candidate’s inexperience. Upon review, we regard these matters as insufficiently serious or current to disqualify the candidate. The Council finds Ms. Demacopoulos Well 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 – Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Not Evaluated
Other Recommendations or Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Italian American Political Coalition
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111 -- Michael Emmett McGinnis
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Michael Emmett McGinnis is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. McGinnis was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and has served as an Assistant Public Defender since 1981. Mr. McGinnis has extensive trial experience and for the past eight years, he has served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Mr. McGinnis possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Michael E. McGinnis has been a lawyer since 1979. He is a career Cook County Assistant Public Defender. He has also served since 2000 as a Judge Advocate in the military service and was stationed in Iraq in 2003. He is currently handling felony preliminary hearings and felony trials in the Bridgeview courthouse. Lawyers report that he has good legal ability and temperament. He is considered to be a skilled, zealous advocate for his clients. 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 – Highly Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Not Evaluated
Other Recommendations or Endorsements
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
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112 -- Carl Evans, Jr.
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Carl Evans, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Evans was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Mr. Evans possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Carl Evans, Jr. has been a lawyer since 1993. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, concentrating in criminal defense and personal injury work. He has been an adjunct professor of law at John Marshall Law School since 2001, teaching legal writing, research, and oral advocacy for first-year students. He is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent demeanor. He is praised for being exceptionally hard working and well-prepared. The Council finds him Well 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 – Highly Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Recommended
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113 -- Martin D. Coghlan
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Martin D. Coghlan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Coghlan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1964 and has practiced law for 42 years. Mr. Coghlan has been a solo practitioner for more than 30 years and is well respected for his vast trial experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Coghlan helped the South Suburban Bar Association establish a pro bono program and has served for many years as the bar’s liaison to the Sixth Municipal District. While Mr. Coghlan does not currently reside in Cook County, he is aware that only residents of the county are eligible for appointment and/or election to the bench.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Qualified (evaluated for a 2006 judicial vacancy)
Martin D. Coghlan has been in private practice since his admission to the bar in 1964. Since 1980, he has been a solo practitioner concentrating in personal injury but also handling some criminal defense matters. Mr. Coghlan is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He demonstrates a professional demeanor and is praised for staying current with the law. He has substantial legal experience, although much of this experience is not in complex matters. He is well versed in all phases of a trial. On balance, 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 – Not Evaluated
Cook County Bar Association – Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Not Evaluated
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 – Not Evaluated
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114 -- William Joseph McGann
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
William Joseph McGann did not submit materials for evaluation. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association evaluations
Asian American Bar Association – Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association – Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Not 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
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115 -- Scott E. Lipinski
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Mr. Lipinski did not submit materials for evaluation. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association evaluations
Asian American Bar Association – Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association – Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Not 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 – Not Evaluated
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Republican Candidates
72 -- Donald Theodore Lyman
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Donald Theodore Lyman is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Lyman was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and serves as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney in the Gang Crimes Unit. Mr. Lyman has tried many complex and difficult cases and is highly regarded for his integrity, legal knowledge, and excellent demeanor and temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Donald Theodore Lyman did not submit materials for evaluation. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association evaluations
Asian American Bar Association – Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association – Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association – Not 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 – Not Evaluated
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73 -- Peter Fera
No candidate website known
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Peter Fera is “Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fera was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1968. Mr. Fera is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and extensive practice experience. Mr. Fera possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Peter A. Fera has been a lawyer since 1968. Mr. Fera is considered to be a highly experienced attorney in will and estates, trusts, banking regulations and compliance, mortgage law, and real estate work. He is considered to have good legal ability in transactional work. While his litigation work is limited, he has done some insurance defense litigation and eviction work during his career. Mr. Fera is a highly respected transactional lawyer who has demonstrated solid ability. The Council is concerned, however, that Mr. Fera does not have the substantial litigation experience that judges need to have before going on the bench. On balance, the Council finds him Not 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 – Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Not Evaluated
Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Not Evaluated
Other Recommendations or Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
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