I was born and raised in the 4th Subcircuit of Cook County, and still reside here with my family. I graduated from De Paul University with a B.S. degree in Computer Science and began a 13 year career in the healthcare field. In 1985 I was elected Village Clerk in the Village of Westchester, IL. As Village Clerk I drafted and submitted an application to the Illinois Commerce Commission for an Enhanced 9-1-1 system for the Village of Westchester. Approval for that system was received while I was serving as Trustee for Village of Westchester. In 1989 I was elected Village Trustee of the Village of Westchester. As Trustee I was Chair of the Water, Sewer and General Village Affairs Committee; proposed, negotiated and implemented comprehensive waste-recovery programs including a Village-wide curbside recycling program and yard waste disposal program; proposed, negotiated and implemented the first Enhanced 9-1-1 Communications System in the Western Suburbs; and, received the Administrator’s Award for Contributions to Environmental Improvement of Municipal Solid Waste through Recycling from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.In addition to my civic duty I have been very active within my community. These activities include being a Committee Member for the West Suburban Bar Fashion Show that benefited the Loyola Mobile Medical Unit, and Children’s Room Sponsored by Loyola & Maybrook Courthouse; a volunteer at the Jimmy Cancer Fund Golf Outing in Bradenton FL; a concession/entrance volunteer at St. Alexander’s School during the Volleyball/Basketball seasons; a volunteer for the Willow Springs Cops & Kids bike safety and ride; a manager for Westchester Girls Softball League; a member of the Divine Infant and Divine Providence Social Clubs; and, a cantor at Divine Infant Parish.
In March of 1997 I accepted a position as a Sr. Public Service Administrator (Staff Attorney) for the Appellate Level of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. As a Sr. Public Administrator I would perform legal work involving drafting of rules and procedural memoranda; supervise legal staff engaged in research and analysis; draft and finalize the Commissioners’ written decision of the appealed cases; provide orientation and training to new staff attorneys in the substantive and procedural law relevant to the Agency; prepare drafts and finalization of complex and priority decisions; and, answer inquires regarding case status from claimants and their representatives.
In August of 2003 I was appointed an Arbitrator (Administrative Law Judge) for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. I serve in this capacity today. In this capacity I manage a docket of approximately 5000 cases. I have presided over 400 hearings/trials and issued written decisions for each. Of the decisions I have issued only about 1% of them have been modified on review. I have also approved over 4700 settlement contracts and conducted over 400 pre-trial hearings. Many of these cases have been of a complex nature. My duties often parallel those of a Cook County Circuit Court Judge in a civil matter. The proceedings I preside over are governed by the Illinois common law rules of evidence as well as the Illinois Evidence Act [820 ILCS]. Witnesses testify and evidence is admitted in accordance with these rules.
Having had an opportunity to serve in a judicial capacity for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission for over 4 years I have been given the unique opportunity to not only develop a judicial philosophy, but to live and learn from it every day. I believe the judiciary must be independent. I believe judges must interpret the law as written in the Constitution, statutes and case law, rather than deciding to write it themselves. As a trial judge, it is my job, based on the record, to determine the facts of the case, research the law, apply the law to the facts, and issue decisions that are based on a well-reasoned interpretation of the law within a reasonable time. I also believe it is imperative that all litigants know that their cases will be decided on what is right and just, and not based on public opinion or on the clamor of partisan politics. I am a strong advocate of direct communication in the courtroom. I believe it is imperative to set realistic and expeditious time tables for all cases in order to eliminate frivolous, as well as protracted and expensive litigation. I believe that the judge, as well as the litigants should be full prepared for any hearing/trial.
I have been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Committee for Better Government and Republican Organization of Lyons Township.
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2 comments:
Sounds like someone that would do the job correctly, without all the political connections.
Ms. Masterson-Pulia has my vote.
I dont know why she would waste her time running over and over again for Judge In Cook County where we have not elected a republican since I think the old Sheriff Richard Elrod but I hope by some miracle she wins because I find her to be abrasive and unprofessional and she plays favorites just like most of the "public servants" in this County in her current capacity. No wonder, as she states, most of cases settle as oppose to go to trial no one can stand being around her.
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