In this post, I'll cover the CBA's ratings in countywide judicial races. For more about the CBA's judicial evaluation process, see this post or consult the CBA's Green Guide.
Arnold Vacancy
BRIDGET ANNE MITCHELL (D) -- QUALIFIED
Bridget A. Mitchell is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Mitchell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1981 and has extensive civil trial practice experience. Ms. Mitchell concentrates her practice in personal injury, wrongful death and dental malpractice and is a frequent speaker at bar association continuing legal education seminars. Ms. Mitchell is hardworking and well respected for her integrity, knowledge of the law, legal ability, and outstanding demeanor.
ALFRED M. SWANSON, JR. (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Swanson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and was appointed a Circuit Court Judge in 2010. Prior to his appointment to the Circuit Court, Judge Swanson concentrated his practice in litigation, tort and product liability, and general defense work. Judge Swanson has extensive civil litigation experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, work ethic, and fine judicial temperament.
Burke Vacancy
MARITZA MARTINEZ (D) -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Maritza Martinez is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Martinez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and was previously evaluated and found “Qualified.” Based on newly discovered information involving Ms. Martinez’s conduct in a court proceeding, the candidate was re-evaluated. Ms. Martinez’s poor judgment and lack of candor resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.
Connors Vacancy
KRISTAL RIVERS (D) -- QUALIFIED
Kristal Rivers is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Rivers was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997 and engaged in private practice for approximately ten years before becoming an Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Rivers handles civil commitments of sexually violent persons and has a good background in both civil and criminal law. Ms. Rivers is passionate and enthusiastic about the justice system and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
PETER J. VILKELIS (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Peter Vilkelis is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Vilkelis was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for nine years prior to entering private practice where he concentrated his practice in criminal defense work for 21 years. Judge Vilkelis was appointed to the bench in 2011 and is currently assigned to the Child Protection Division where he presides over abuse, neglect, and dependency child welfare cases. Judge Vilkelis is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, work ethic, and outstanding demeanor and temperament.
Egan Vacancy
DANIEL J. KUBASIAK (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Daniel Kubasiak is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Kubasiak was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1981 and concentrated his practice in corporate and tax matters. Judge Kubasiak was appointed to the bench in 2012 and is currently assigned to Traffic Court in the First Municipal Division. Judge Kubasiak is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, diligence, and even temperament.
Felton Vacancy
PATRICIA O’BRIEN SHEAHAN (D) -- QUALIFIED
Patricia O’Brien Sheahan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Sheahan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and was engaged in private practice as an Associate in a large law firm before becoming Associate General Counsel of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Ms. Sheahan has a wide range of practice experience and supervises and handles litigation for the Rehabilitation Institute. Ms. Sheahan possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Howse Vacancy
CAROLINE KATE MORELAND (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Caroline Kate Moreland is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Moreland was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 14 years before becoming a judge. Judge Moreland is well respected and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Lowrance Vacancy
THOMAS JOSEPH CARROLL (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Thomas Joseph Carroll is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Carroll was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and was appointed a judge in September 2011. Judge Carroll is currently assigned to Traffic Court and has received favorable reviews from lawyers appearing in his court. Judge Carroll has a fine temperament and possesses the legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
McDonald Vacancy
CYNTHIA Y. COBBS (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Cynthia Y. Cobbs is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Cobbs was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served as a law clerk in the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Cobbs held a number of administrative positions in the courts before becoming Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. In 2011, Judge Cobbs was appointed a Circuit Court Judge and is currently assigned to a trial courtroom in the First Municipal Division. Judge Cobbs received favorable reviews from lawyers who have appeared before her and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
LINDA L. MASTANDREA (D) -- QUALIFIED
Linda L. Mastandrea is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Mastandrea was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and concentrates her practice in disability and administrative Law. Ms. Mastandrea has extensive experience as a Special Education Hearing Officer and as a Hearing Officer for Chicago’s Building Board of Appeals. Ms. Mastandrea is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and fine demeanor.
Neville Vacancy
CAROLYN JOAN GALLAGHER (D) -- QUALIFIED
Carolyn Joan Gallagher is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Gallagher was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in real estate, litigation, and financial institution law. Ms. Gallagher has litigation and extensive appellate practice experience. Ms. Gallagher is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, and fine temperament.
WILLIAM B. RAINES (D) -- QUALIFIED
William Raines is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Raines was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and is engaged in the private practice of law concentrating in criminal defense. Mr. Raines has a wealth of life experience and is well regarded for his professionalism and even temperament.
PATRICIA S. SPRATT (D) -- QUALIFIED
Patricia S. Spratt is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Spratt was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and concentrates her practice in business and commercial litigation and green initiative programs. Ms. Spratt is well regarded by her peers and by the judges before whom she has appeared. Throughout her career, Ms. Spratt has been actively involved in public service work. Ms. Spratt has a fine temperament and possesses the depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
MARY ALICE MELCHOR (D) -- NOT RECOMMENDED**
Mary A. Melchor is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Melchor was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and is currently serving as Inspector General (IG) in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Before becoming Inspector General in 2005, Ms. Melchor served as Chief Deputy Clerk 2002-2003 and as Associate Clerk of County Bureau from 2003-2005. Ms. Melchor’s practice experience prior to that included: associate at a small firm (1992-1993); Senior Attorney for the Chicago Housing Authority (1994-1998); associate at an in-house insurance defense firm (1998-2000); and as a solo practitioner from (2000-2002). Ms. Melchor does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as an Associate Judge.
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** 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.
Reyes Vacancy
STEPHEN J. FELDMAN (D) -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Stephen J. Feldman is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Feldman was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal defense, driving under the influence, traffic violations and civil matters. Mr. Feldman is also serving as an adjunct professor and a part-time Hearing Officer in the Illinois Secretary of State’s Department of Administrative Hearings. At this stage of his career, Mr. Feldman lacks the depth and breadth of legal experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
DIANA ROSARIO (D) -- QUALIFIED
Diana Rosario is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Rosario was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and since 1991 has served as a lawyer in the City of Chicago’s Department of Family & Support Services. Ms. Rosario’s legal experience includes: litigation management, contract negotiations, and civil rights matters. Ms. Rosario has a broad base of legal knowledge and possesses an excellent demeanor and temperament.
Veal Vacancy
ANDREA MICHELE BUFORD (D) -- QUALIFIED
Judge Andrea Buford is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Buford was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and had broad legal experience before being appointed to the bench in 2013. Judge Buford is currently assigned to Traffic Court in the First Municipal Division. Judge Buford is well regarded for her integrity, knowledge of the law, excellent demeanor, and administrative skills.
JAMES PATRICK CRAWLEY (D) -- QUALIFIED
James P. Crawley is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Crawley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and is a solo practitioner concentrating in medical malpractice, personal Injury, and products liability law. Mr. Crawley is hardworking and has extensive practice experience. Mr. Crawley is well regarded for his dedication to the law and his integrity.
KELLY MALONEY KACHMARIK (D) -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Kelly Maloney Kachmarik is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Kachmarik was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and has worked for a private law firm concentrating in civil litigation since 2006. Prior to 2006, Ms. Kachmarik worked in a large accounting firm and as manager of a corporate service consulting firm. Ms. Kachmarik is also a certified hearing officer for two suburban villages. Ms. Kachmarik is bright, articulate, and has a fine demeanor. Ms. Kachmarik’s legal experience is limited and, at this stage of her career, she does not possess the depth and breadth of practice experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
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