ISBA provides explanations for all of its Cook County judicial ratings

The Illinois State Bar Association has posted brief explanations for all ratings it has issued for Cook County judicial candidates, both for open seats and in the retention election.

These explanations are available to the public on the ISBA website in a .pdf format.

In retention races, the ISBA found 53 of the 58 retention candidates "qualified" for retention.

Five were found "not qualified." The ISBA's comments about each of these retention candidates follow below.

Hon. Cynthia Brim – Not Qualified
Hon. Cynthia Brim was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1994. She was retained for six-year terms in 2000 and 2006. She was in the 6th Municipal District presiding over Misdemeanor, Traffic Civil, Paternity, Child Support, Custody, Visitation, Domestic Violence, Bond hearings, and Ordinance Violation cases. Other previous judicial assignments include the Domestic Relations Division, the 1st Municipal District, and the 5th Municipal District. Hon. Cynthia Brim has currently been removed from all judicial duties by Special Order No. 2012-14 of the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The Committee evaluation questioned Judge Brim’s legal knowledge and ability. For the 2012 General Election, the Illinois State Bar Association determined Hon. Cynthia Brim is not qualified for retention as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Gloria Chevere - Not Qualified
Hon. Gloria Chevere is currently assigned as a “swing judge” in various branches within the 1st Municipal District. She ran unopposed for a vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit in 2006 and was assigned to hear misdemeanor and felony ordinance offenses.

The Committee evaluation raised concerns over Judge Chevere’s diligence, legal knowledge and ability. For the 2012 General Election, the Illinois State Bar Association determined Hon. Gloria Chevere is not qualified for retention as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Christopher Donnelly – Not Qualified
Hon. Christopher Donnelly is currently assigned to the 6th Municipal District, hearing traffic and misdemeanor cases. Prior to serving the 6th Municipal District, Judge Donnelly was assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division. In 1994, he was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Judge Donnelly was retained for six-year terms in 2000 and 2006.

Judge Donnelly’s litigation and professional experience along with his legal knowledge and ability are considered adequate. The Committee evaluation, however, revealed that there are concerns regarding his poor judicial temperament. In addition, Judge Donnelly failed to fully participate in the evaluation process by not completing the evaluation materials and refusing to answer questions posed during his interview. Therefore, in accordance with its guidelines for judicial candidates, for the 2012 General Election the Illinois State Bar Association determined Hon. Christopher Donnelly is not qualified for retention as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County for failure to complete the evaluation process.

Hon. James D. Egan – Not Qualified*
Hon. James Egan currently hears Motion Calendar X in the Law Division. He became a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1995. His previous assignments include the 1st Municipal District Traffic Court, 2nd Municipal District Criminal Court, and the Criminal Division. Judge Egan was retained for six-year terms in 2000 and 2006.

Judge Egan did not submit documentation for evaluation for the 2012 General Election. Therefore, in accordance with its guidelines regarding judicial candidates, for the 2012 General Election the Illinois State Bar Association determined that Hon. James D. Egan is not qualified for retention as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County for failure to complete the evaluation process.

Hon. Pamela E. Hill-Veal – Not Qualified
Hon. Pamela E. Hill-Veal is currently assigned in the 1st Municipal District within the Civil Trial Section. She was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2004 and elected in 2006.

Judge Hill-Veal did not submit documentation for evaluation for the 2012 General Election. Therefore, in accordance with its guidelines regarding judicial candidates, for the 2012 General Election the Illinois State Bar Association determined that Hon. Pamela E. Hill-Veal is not qualified for retention as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County for failure to complete the evaluation process.

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* As reported here yesterday, the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening (of which the ISBA is a member) stated that Judge Egan told them that he was retiring in December and that this was the reason he would not participate in the screening process. According to the Alliance, however, because of a missed deadline, Judge Egan's name will still appear on the ballot and, under its rules, the Alliance was obliged to issue this negative review.

It should also be pointed out that Judge Egan is not listed among the judges seeking retention at the Cook County Retention Judges website.