Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the February 2, 2010 primary.
Raymond W. Mitchell - #163
Campaign websiteQuestionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League
Candidate Narrative (from IllinoisJudges.net)
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Raymond W. Mitchell is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Mitchell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Mr. Mitchell has trial and appellate experience and has handled complex cases in both the trial and appellate courts. Mr. Mitchell receives high marks from his colleagues and opponents for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and integrity.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge Raymond William Mitchell was admitted to practice in 1993. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in October 2008. From 1998 to 2008 he was an associate and then partner with the law firm of Winston & Strawn where he was involved in all aspects of more complex litigation matters. He served as an associate lawyer with Gardner, Carton & Douglas. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he reports being involved in numerous pro bono efforts. Judge Mitchell is considered to have good legal ability and was well-respected as an attorney in private practice. Lawyers appearing before him in Traffic Court, where he now sits, report that he has a very good temperament and demonstrates good legal ability. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Highly Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Highly Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Highly Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
Personal PAC
Illinois Civil Justice League
43rd Ward Democratic Organization
49th Ward Democratic Organization
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Chicago Sun-Times
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
Personal PAC
Illinois Civil Justice League
43rd Ward Democratic Organization
49th Ward Democratic Organization
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Bonnie Carol McGrath - #164
Campaign website
Questionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Bonnie Carol McGrath is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. McGrath was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Ms. McGrath has an extensive background in legal analysis and writing and is active in community affairs. Ms. McGrath is also a panel member in the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Mandatory Arbitration program. However, at this stage of her career, Ms. McGrath does not possess the requisite breadth and depth of legal experience to serve as an Associate Judge. (Note in CBA Green Guide: "Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within two years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' without hearing.")The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Bonnie McGrath was admitted to practice in 1993. She has been a sole practitioner since 1996 and served as a prosecutor with the Chicago Department of Law between 1992 and 1996. She has no jury trial experience, but reports acting as lead counsel in hundreds of civil bench trials. Ms. McGrath is a former journalist who now teaches at Columbia College. Her litigation experience does not include involvement with more complex matters. Ms. McGrath is praised for her temperament and is a prolific writer in legal journals. The Council, however, believes that Ms. McGrath has not demonstrated the ability to handle complex legal matters in the courtroom. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Evaluated |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
IVI-IPO
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Personal PAC
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IVI-IPO
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Personal PAC
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Carl B. Boyd - #165
No campaign website known (the candidate has a Facebook page)
Questionnaire responses: None
Bar Association Evaluations
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:
Carl B. Boyd refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | 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 Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
I'm familiar with McGrath from her newspaper column (and occasionally see her in the local Jewel), and I remember a previous run where she was described by a critic as the least qualified candidate to ever run for a judicial post in Cook County. Comparing her record with that of Mitchell, it would appear that it should be no contest. This being the case, how exactly did she get the IVI IPO endorsement?
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