Can any of the retention judges really lose?

A lot of cynics will insist that all the judges on this year's Cook County retention ballot are "bulletproof" -- completely assured of safely navigating the forthcoming election. The cynics insist that, no matter how qualified -- or unqualified -- all judges on the ballot are assured of victory.

The judges seeking retention know better.

It is true that no Cook County Circuit Court Judge has lost a retention bid since 1990 -- but, in 1990, six judges were put out of work (seven lost their retention bids, but one of these was simultaneously elected to the Appellate Court).

After being singled out by columnist Mike Royko and the Fraternal Order of Police, Judge Lawrence Passarella was defeated in a retention bid in 1986.

John S. Boyle was Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County when he was defeated for retention in 1978.

It can happen.

There are people who go into the polls bound and determined to vote "no" on every judge's bid for another term; no judge gets a 100% "yes" vote -- an 80% "yes" vote is about the most that a judge can hope for.

The widely read police blog, Second City Cop, recently put up a post urging a "no" vote on every judge's retention bid this November.

The Chicago Bar Association and the many bar associations that comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations have recommended a "yes" vote on most judges.

In the final analysis, it is up to the voters -- such as those of you who happen on this page -- to determine whether any judicial candidate is worthy of your vote.

If you're looking for information about which judges are worthy of your vote, scroll down this page or consult the following links:

• Comparing bar evaluations on certain retention candidates,
• Chicago Bar Association finds more than 50 judges qualified for retention,
• Nine judges singled out as "Well Qualified" for retention by Chicago Council of Lawyers;
• Chicago Council of Lawyers releases 2012 judicial retention ratings;
• ISBA provides explanations for all of its Cook County judicial ratings;
• Alliance of Bar Associations releases retention grids;
• Retention Judges: The default vote is 'yes';
• Tribune urges "no" vote on six retention judges;
• A few words about "judicial temperament"; or
• 2012 Cook County Retention Judges Website.

Updated and corrected, with a tip of the hat to Dr. Albert Klumpp for calling my attention to my error.