Updated March 19, 2018
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
Robert Harris - #158
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Hon. Robert F. Harris was admitted to practice in 1991. He was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench, he served as the Cook County Public Guardian. Mr Harris is considered to have good legal ability and was reported to be a good administrator. He has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Robert Harris was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. In September, 2017, he was appointed to the Circuit Court, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Division, First District, Traffic section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Harris held the position of Cook County Public Guardian, where he supervised an agency with over 200 employees and an $18 million budget. He was appointed to that spot in 2004 after spending his entire career there. While he has not handled jury trials, he has litigated over 400 bench trials, including many complex and highly sensitive matters. He is considered to be smart, knowledgeable, diligent and professional. He has both lectured and published on legal issues, has been active with bar associations, and was on the Board of Directors for CARPLS. Judge Robert Harris 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
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
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Shay Tyrone Allen - #159
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Shay T. Allen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2005. He is a solo practitioner who focuses on criminal defense but also handles civil litigation and civil rights litigation. Between 2011 and 2013 he was an associate at Lee and Fairman LLP, where he practiced criminal defense law. As an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (2006-2011), he worked in the Criminal Appeals Division as well as the Maywood Courthouse, where he served in the domestic violence call, as well as the preliminary hearings and misdemeanor courtrooms.
Mr. Allen is considered to have good legal ability, and both lawyers and judges describe him as being a good trial lawyer. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council is concerned about his relative short career and the short period of time in which he has been involved in more complex matters. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court at this time.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Shay T. Allen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. He is a solo practitioner concentrating mainly in criminal defense and civil rights cases. He was previously employed with the Cook County State’s Attorney and with a private criminal defense firm. While he is considered to be a hard worker with adequate legal knowledge in his area, the concerns were raised over the depth and breadth of his total legal experience and his lack of complex litigation. Mr. Allen is found to be Not Qualified to 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 | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Mary Alice Melchor - #160
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Website
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Mary Alice Melchor was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1992. She is Inspector General for the Office of the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, where she previously served as Officer (2003-2005) and as Chief Deputy Clerk of Maybrook Courthouse (2002-2003). She has also worked as a Solo Practitioner at the Law Offices of Mary Melchor (2000-2002), where she specialized in family law and real estate law; an Associate in two insurance defense firms, Meachum, Spahr, Cozzi, and Postel (1998-2000) and Hammond & Flynn Law Firm (1992-1993); and a Senior Attorney in the Torts Department of the Chicago Housing Authority (1994-1998). She is a member of a number of bar associations, where she has held offices that include President of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association (2008-2009); Chair of the Local Government Committee of the Chicago Bar Association (2016-2018); Treasurer of the National Bar Association, Region VII (2009-2018); and Member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (2016-2018).
In 2009, the Council stated in an evaluation, “Ms. Melchor is highly praised for her temperament and for her community service. The Council is concerned, however, because she has not had substantial experience with complex litigation matters. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” The current evaluation shows that Ms. Melchor is a smart and respected attorney who works exceptionally hard and is knowledgeable about the areas in which she practices. But she does not have substantial experience in complex litigation matters – an important requirement for any judicial candidate. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Mary Alice Melchor has been licensed since 1992. Since 2005, she has been the Inspector General for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, serving previously in the Clerk’s office as Associate Clerk of the County Bureau and Chief Deputy Clerk in Maywood. Prior to joining the Clerk’s office, she was in private practice, a Senior Attorney for the Chicago Housing Authority, and an associate handling insurance defense matters for a private firm. Her minimal trial experience dates to the 1990’s. While she is considered to be even-tempered, she has no recent courtroom experience. She is past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association. Ms. Mary Melchor is found to be Not 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 | Not Recommended |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
Italian-American Political Coalition
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