I've already posted the CBA's evaluations of candidates for the various countywide vacancies (the Brewer, Clay, and Dooling vacancies; the Flanagan, Hartigan, and Jordan vacancies; and the McGinnis, Rooney, Dunford, and Egan vacancies).
For the CBA's evaluations of candidates seeking judicial office in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Subcircuits, click here. For the CBA's evaluations of candidates in Subcircuits 4, 5, and 6, read on:
4th Subcircuit
Davy Vacancy
DAVID NAVARRO - HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge David Navarro is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Navarro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Navarro served as Supervisor of Professional Responsibility in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and for eight years as Chief of the Public Integrity Section in the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Judge Navarro has extensive jury and non-jury trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, excellent temperament, work ethic, and commitment to public service.
CAROLINE JAMIESON GOLDEN - HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Caroline Jamieson Golden is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Golden was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil rights, government and municipal liability. Ms. Golden has extensive practice experience and has tried many complex civil and criminal matters. Ms. Golden is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, extensive legal experience, and professional demeanor.
Riley Vacancy
JOHN O’MEARA - HIGHLY QUALIFIED
John O’Meara is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. O’Meara was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in medical malpractice, complex litigation, government law, and construction negligence matters. Mr. O’Meara has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, calm demeanor, and excellent temperament.
ELIZABETH CIACCIA-LEZZA - QUALIFIED
Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ciaccia-Lezza was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and has served a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for her entire career. Ms. Ciaccia-Leeza is assigned to the Sex Crime/Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at the Criminal Court. Ms. Ciaccia-Leeza has extensive trial experience in prosecuting Internet cases and teaches federal government law enforcement officials about her area of expertise. Ms. Ciaccia-Leeza is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal and trial skills, and excellent demeanor.
DANNY COLLINS - QUALIFIED
Danny Collins is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Collins was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in workers’ compensation, administrative hearings, and appeals. Mr. Collins has an excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite depth and breadth of experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
MARTIN D. REGGI - NOT RECOMMENDED
Martin D. Reggi is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Reggi was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and is currently engaged in private practice. Mr. Reggi has a varied general practice that includes administrative, real estate, traffic and criminal law matters. Mr. Reggi does not possess the legal knowledge, ability, practice experience, and diligence required to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
5th Subcircuit
Banks Vacancy
RHONDA SALLEE - NOT RECOMMENDED
Rhonda Sallee 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.
H. YVONNE COLEMAN - QUALIFIED
H. Yvonne Coleman is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Coleman began her career as a prosecutor in Louisiana and after relocating to Chicago was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988. Ms. Coleman has had a varied career serving on the staff of the National Labor Relations Board, Executive Director of the Community Law Project, an administrative hearing officer, general counsel of the Chicago Superintendent Police Review Authority, and in the appeals division of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Since 2004, with a two year interruption, Ms. Coleman has been a solo practitioner concentrating her practice in employment and labor law matters. Ms. Coleman is well regarded for her legal experience, integrity, calm and engaging demeanor, and her commitment to the law.
GINO BETTS - NOT RECOMMENDED
Gino Betts 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.
GWENDOLYN D. ANDERSON - NOT RECOMMENDED
Gwendolyn D. Anderson 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.
Jones Vacancy
MARIAN EMILY PERKINS - NOT RECOMMENDED
Judge Marian Emily Perkins is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Perkins was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney and as staff attorney with the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Judge Perkins entered private practice in 1998 and concentrated her practice largely in criminal matters. Judge Perkins was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017 and is currently assigned to Traffic Court. While Judge Perkins is recognized for her integrity and excellent temperament, concerns about the depth of her legal knowledge and judicial ability resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.
JENETIA MARSHALL - NOT RECOMMENDED
Jenetia Marshall 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.
DAVID L. KELLY - QUALIFIED
David L. Kelly is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kelly was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil and criminal matters. Mr. Kelly is active in bar and community work and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, fine temperament, and excellent demeanor.
Washington II Vacancy
ROBERT F. HARRIS - HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Robert F. Harris is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Harris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and has served his entire career in the Cook County Public Guardian's office. Mr. Harris was appointed to lead the Public Guardian's office in 2004 and continues to serve with distinction as Cook County's Public Guardian. Mr. Harris is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and extensive legal ability that includes both jury and non-jury trial experience. Mr. Harris is also highly regarded for his dedication to public service, work ethic, integrity, and outstanding demeanor and temperament.
SHAY T. ALLEN - NOT RECOMMENDED
Shay T. Allen is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Mr. Allen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal and civil matters. At this stage of his career, Mr. Allen does not possess sufficient practice experience to effectively serve as a judge. Also, Mr. Allen needs to address concerns about his punctuality and tardiness.
MARY MELCHOR - NOT RECOMMENDED
Mary Melchor is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Melchor was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and has limited practice experience. Ms. Melchor worked as an associate from 1992-94; CHA from 1994-98; served as an associate at a defense law firm from 1998-2000; solo practitioner from 2000-2002; served as Chief Deputy Clerk in the Maybrook Court 2002-2003; associate clerk of the County Bureau from 2003-2005; and since 2005 as Inspector General for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Ms. Melchor is well regarded for her integrity, outstanding demeanor and people skills. However, Ms. Melchor’s practical knowledge of the law, current court rules and procedures, coupled with her very limited practice experience would make it difficult for her to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
6th Subcircuit
Chevere Vacancy
DAVID C. HERRERA - NOT RECOMMENDED
David C. Herrera is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Herrera was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and serves as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Mr. Herrera is currently assigned to a felony trial call in Bridgeview. While Mr. Herrera possesses the requisite experience to serve as a judge, serious concerns about his temperament earlier in his career and candor about these concerns resulted in the “Not Recommended” finding.
KENT DELGADO - HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge Kent Delgado is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Delgado was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017. Judge Delgado is currently assigned to the Probate Division. Judge Delgado has extensive civil and criminal trial experience and is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, and dedication to public service.
SEAN P. KELLY - NOT RECOMMENDED
Sean P. Kelly is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kelly was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and is currently serving as a DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney. While Mr. Kelly is intelligent and diligent, additional practice experience would better prepare him to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Cooke Vacancy
EDWARD J. UNDERHILL - QUALIFIED
Edward J. Underhill is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Underhill was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in commercial litigation, appellate practice, and arbitration matters. Mr. Underhill has extensive litigation experience in complex commercial cases and is well regarded for his legal knowledge, work ethic, and commitment to public service.
CHARLES “CHARLIE” BEACH - QUALIFIED
Judge Charles “Charlie” Beach is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Beach was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017. Judge Beach is well regarded by lawyers who appear before him for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and compassion.
ANDREA MICHELLE WEBBER - QUALIFIED
Andrea Michelle Webber is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Webber was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002 and is currently working as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender assigned to the Homicide Task Force. Ms. Webber has extensive court experience and has tried many complex cases. Ms. Webber is well regarded by the judges before whom she has appeared and by opposing counsel for her knowledge of the law and legal experience.
Lopez Cepero Vacancy
LINDA PEREZ - QUALIFIED
Linda Perez is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Perez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and has served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender since her admission to the bar. Ms. Perez has had varied assignments in the Public Defender’s Office including probation, juvenile justice, traffic and specialty courts. Ms. Perez is well regarded for her excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
STEPHANIE MILLER - QUALIFIED
Stephanie Miller is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Miller was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and is serving as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, First Chair, in the Felony Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Court. Ms. Miller has extensive trial and court experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of law and legal ability. Ms. Miller is dedicated to public service and is actively engaged in community and bar association work.
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