Updated March 10, 2018
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
John Andrew O'Meara - #153
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
ICJL Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. John O’Meara was admitted to practice in 1995. He was appointed to the bench in 2016 by the Illinois Supreme Court. He currently presides over cases in the First Municipal District where he is well-respected. Before taking the bench, he was a trial attorney at the Curcio Law Offices. As a lawyer, Judge O’Meara was considered to have good legal ability and he had substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. He is reported to have had good temperament both as lawyer and as a judge. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
John A. O'Meara has been licensed since 1995. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in November, 2016, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Division, First District, Non-jury Civil section. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner at Curcio Law Offices, where he concentrated in civil litigation. He was also a litigation and trial attorney for several other private firms and was an arbitrator for Cook County. He has extensive civil jury and bench trial experience, and is considered to have excellent courtroom skills, and to be professional with high integrity. Judge John A. O'Meara is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| 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 |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
Chicago Tribune
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Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza - #154
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where since 2012 she has served as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Unit. Previously she served in the Felony Domestic Violence Unit (2009-2012), the Felony Trial Courtroom (2009), the Preliminary Hearings Unit (2008-2009), the Felony Review Unit (2006-2008), the Juvenile Justice Bureau-Delinquency Division (2003-2006), the Juvenile Justice Bureau-Child Protection Division (2002-2003) and the Child Support Enforcement Divisions (2001-2002).The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Ciaccia-Lezza is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for having a strong grasp of the evidentiary and procedural rules. She has substantial litigation experience and is reported to have excellent knowledge of her area of law. She is considered to have a good temperament with good working relationships with victims, witnesses, court personnel, and opposing counsel. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza has been licensed since 2001. She is a career assistant state’s attorney who is currently assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes w/ Children. She has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience, including high-profile and complex cases. She has both lectured and written on legal matters. Attorneys report that she has a strong grasp of law and procedure, is always professional and even-keeled with a strong work ethic. Ms. Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Polish American Police Association
Italian American Political Coalition
------------------------------------------------------Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Polish American Police Association
Italian American Political Coalition
Danny Collins - #155
Campaign Website (newly added)
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Daniel L. Collins was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1998. Since 2014, he has been President and Solo Proprietor of the Dan Collins Law Firm, where he handles worker compensation, business, and employment litigation. He also handled worker compensation litigation at Krol, Bongiorno, and Given, where he was an Associate from 2003 to 2014. From 1999 to 2003, he was an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he tried preliminary hearing and misdemeanor cases and conducted felony review.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Collins is widely praised as having very good legal ability and excellent research and writing skills. He has substantial litigation experience and is reported to have very good litigation skills. He has a professional demeanor, and, in general, is a well respected practitioner with a variety of experiences. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Daniel Collins was admitted to practice in 1998. He has been in private practice for most his career, most recently with a solo practice focusing on workers’ compensation, criminal, business litigation, and employment issues. He has substantial trial experience, and is well respected by attorneys for his trial experience, excellent legal knowledge, demeanor, and research skills. Mr. Daniel Collins is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Martin D. Reggi - #156
Campaign WebsiteMartin D. Reggi: In his own words
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
ICJL Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Martin D. Reggi was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1980. Since 1985, he has been a solo practitioner who focuses on areas of law that include criminal, civil, real estate, bankruptcy, and traffic matters, as well as Secretary of State Hearings.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Reggi is considered to be a good practitioner with a good temperament. Much of his practice has involved less complex matters, but he does have litigation experience involving a variety of complex legal matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Martin Reggi was admitted in 1980. After spending a few years as an assistant state's attorney, he opened his own practice in 1985, focusing on criminal and traffic defense and real estate matters. He has tried some criminal jury and bench trials and has handled some appeals. He is considered to be a competent and diligent attorney. Mr. Martin D. Reggi is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.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 |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party 4th Subcircuit Committeemen
Chicago NOW
Italian American Political Coalition
------------------------------------------------------Chicago NOW
Italian American Political Coalition
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