Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 18, 2014 primary.
This race was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Updated 3/17/14
Anjana Hansen -- #174
Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Video Interviews: NTNM,
NTNM Election Special
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Anjana Hansen is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Hansen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 12 years. During that time, she also served a four-year term as an Alderman in Evanston. Ms. Hansen is currently a solo practitioner and administrative law judge for the City of Evanston. Ms. Hansen is intelligent and possesses an excellent demeanor and outstanding people skills. Ms. Hansen has broad experience in both civil and criminal matters and although she lacks complex trial experience, she is hardworking, diligent, and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Anjana Hansen was admitted to practice in 1998. She is a contract attorney with the City of Evanston, conducting administrative hearings in the areas of police, property standards, health, and fire. She has served as the Alderman for the 9th Ward of the City of Evanston. She is a former Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She was in part responsible for establishing an administrative hearings unit within the State’s Attorney’s Office, which included educating potential witnesses about the legal requirements. Ms. Hansen is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, and is very active in community activities. The Council finds her 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 | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
49th Ward Democrats
Jewish Chicago
Personal PAC
Cong. Jan Schakowsky
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Thomas Peter Kougias -- #175
No Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Thomas Peter Kougias is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kougias was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal defense work. Mr. Kougias served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 1991-2012 and has extensive criminal trial experience. Mr. Kougias is well regarded by his adversaries and the judges before whom he appears. Mr. Kougias possesses the requisite legal knowledge, experience, and qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Thomas Peter Kougias was admitted to practice in 1988. He is currently in private practice doing criminal law defense work. He served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for most of his career, leaving the Office in 2012. Mr. Kougias has had substantial litigation experience, but the Council is concerned that he has not distinguished himself as a prosecutor. Many lawyers say that he lacks sufficient trial management skills to become a judge and some lawyers say that he is not always punctual. 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 Evaluated |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | 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 Evaluated |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
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Monica A. Forte -- #176
Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Video Interviews: NTNM,
NTNM Election Special
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Monica A. Forte is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Forte was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in commercial litigation, civil litigation, and banking law. Ms. Forte does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal ability and practice experience to serve as an Associate Judge. (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.)
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Monica Ann Forte was admitted to practice in 1994. She has always been in private practice focusing on commercial litigation. She reports handling few trials to verdict but has substantial experience in all aspects of complex litigation. She is considered to have broad experience in a number of civil law areas. She is reported to have good legal ability and a good temperament, even in heated situations. The Council is concerned that Ms. Forte has little actual trial experience, but she has substantial experience in litigation-oriented activities. On balance, the Council finds her 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 | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
United Hellenic Voters of America
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