Two judges square off in race for Bender vacancy

The other race in the 9th Subcircuit is for the vacancy of the late Judge Gerald C. Bender. Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste was appointed to this vacancy earlier this year. He filed to retain this seat yesterday. The front page of his campaign website carries an endorsement from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Judge Jean-Baptiste's website also claims the support of several other elected officials, including State Senator Jeff Schoenberg, State Senator Kwame Raoul, State Representative Robyn Gabel, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, 49th Ward Democratic Committeeman David Fagus, 48th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Carol Ronen, Northfield Township Democratic Committeeman Mike Kreloff, and former State Representative Julie Hamos.

Judge Jean-Baptiste's sole opponent (so far) is also a sitting judge. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Michael Ian Bender to a 9th Subcircuit vacancy in 2008. He was unable to hold on to the seat in the 2010 primary but was recalled to judicial service by the Supreme Court later that same year. Judge Michael Ian Bender is the son of the late Judge Gerald C. Bender. I have so far been unable to find a current campaign website for Judge Bender.