Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot, first in the Democratic primary, then in the Republican primary. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 20, 2012 primary.
Updated 3/17/12Democratic Candidates
Andrea M. Schleifer - #181
Candidate WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneVideo Interviews: NTNM,
Sonny Hersh Election SpecialBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Andrea M. Schleifer is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Schleifer was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1979 and is well versed in both civil and criminal law. Ms. Schleifer concentrates her practice in domestic relations and has handled many complex cases. Ms. Schleifer is well spoken, even tempered, and possesses all the necessary qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Andrea Schleifer was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2010. Before taking the bench, she was a solo practitioner concentrating in family law matters for most of her career since being admitted to practice in 1979. From 1986 to 1987, she was a partner in the general practice firm of Kaszak & Schleifer. From 1980 to 1981, she was a partner in the general practice firm of Mullane & Schleifer. Judge Schleifer is reported to have very good legal ability and temperament. As a lawyer she has substantial litigation experience in complex matters and was praised for her community service and for her service to the legal profession. The Council finds her Well Qualified to serve in 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 | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Highly Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Northwest Suburban Bar Association | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Personal PAC
Jewish Chicago
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
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Michael John Halloran - #182
No Candidate Website knownQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Michael Halloran is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Halloran was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and has served his entire career as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. Mr. Halloran has extensive jury and bench trial experience and is well regarded for his legal knowledge, work ethic, and fine demeanor.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Michael J. Halloran has been a lawyer since 1986. He is a career Cook County Assistant Public Defender. Mr. Halloran is considered to be a good lawyer who is a zealous, but fair advocate for his clients. He has a good temperament and substantial bench and jury trial experience. 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 | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Highly Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Northwest Suburban Bar Association | Recommended |
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Robert P. Babbitt - #183
No Candidate Website knownBar 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:Robert P. Babbitt did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | 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 |
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Daniel P. Scott - #185
Candidate WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneCandidate Statement: Cook County ClerkBar 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 auto¬matically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Daniel P. Scott did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | 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 |
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James C. Murray - #186
The Illinois State Board of Elections website advises that this candidate withdrew from this race on March 2, 2012.
No Candidate Website knownQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Judge James Cunningham Murray, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Murray was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1969 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2001. Judge Murray most recently served as a recalled judge in the Tax and Miscellaneous Remedies Section of the Circuit Court’s Law Division. Judge Murray’s recall ended December 4, 2011. Judge Murray is hardworking, diligent and well regarded for his knowledge of the law and judicial experience.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Judge James C. Murray was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2001 and served until 2002. He was recalled to the Circuit Court in 2005. He serves in the First Municipal District, in the Tax and Miscelleous Remedies Section. Before being appointed, he was a partner at Katten Muchin & Zavis, where his practice concentrated in bankruptcy, environmental, and insurance litigation. He is reported to have been an excellent attorney. As a judge, he is reported to have good legal ability. He is praised for being well-prepared, and for having a good temperament. He is reported to be very good at dealing with litigants unrepresented by counsel. The Council finds him Well 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 | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Northwest Suburban Bar Association | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
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Republican CandidateJames Paul Pieczonka - #111
No Candidate Website knownBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:James Pieczonka is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Pieczonka was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in Taxation, Real Estate and Condominium Law. Mr. Pieczonka’s practice and court experience is limited. Mr. Pieczonka held a real estate broker’s license from 2004-2007 and was actively involved as a broker during this period. The candidate owns a number of properties that are currently in foreclosure and is personally involved in several residual court actions. Mr. Pieczonka needs to gain additional practice experience and resolve these financial responsibility concerns before reapplying to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:James Paul Pieczonka was admitted to practice in 1983. He has spent most of his career as a sole practitioner doing both transactional work and litigation. In addition to his legal practice, he has been involved in real estate development matters. From 1985 to 1996, he also worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Revenue in the Hearings Division. Mr. Pieczonka has limited litigation experience. Some question his litigation skills. Much of his career has been related to transactional work and real estate development. The Council finds him Not Qualified 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 |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | 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 |
Northwest Suburban Bar Association | Not Recommended |
Endorsement
Italian American Political Coalition
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