Updated March 12, 2018
Updated 3/6/18
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
James "Jamie" Shapiro - #151
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
James (Jamie) Shapiro is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shapiro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil litigation and criminal defense matters. Mr. Shapiro was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2007 and served on the bench until 2012. Mr. Shapiro has extensive practice experience and is highly regarded for his knowledge of civil and criminal law.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
James A. Shapiro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. He is a solo practitioner who focuses on federal and state criminal defense matters, and occasionally on civil litigation. He has worked on similar matters as an associate or partner for a number of private law firms (1996-2007; 1985-1989). He has also been a Circuit Court Judge assigned to the Maywood court (2007-2012), and an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (1989-1995). He is a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (2007-2008), and has chaired several committees for the Chicago Bar Association. He has provided pro bono services for a number of organizations, including Amicus Poloniae (a CVLS-affiliated group, 2013-present) and the Center for Disability and Elder Law (1996-2006).The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Judge Shapiro has been found Qualified for the Circuit Court by the Council in past evaluations. As a practitioner, he has had substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters, and in both trial and appellate court matters. He received praise from practitioners for his legal ability and for his diligence both as a practitioner and as a judge. He is also reported to have a professional demeanor in both capacities. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
James “Jamie” Shapiro has been licensed since 1985. He is currently in private practice focusing on civil and criminal litigation. He previously served as a circuit court judge, by appointment, from 2007 to 2012. He also worked with several private litigation firms and served in the United States Attorney’s Office. He has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts and is considered to be an excellent trial attorney who is always prepared, even-keeled with high integrity. He has published and taught, and is a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. Mr. James Shapiro 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 | Highly Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
IVI-IPO
Personal PAC
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Personal PAC
Stephen J. Feldman - #153
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Stephen J. Feldman is “Qualified” 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 and transportation law. Mr. Feldman possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Stephen J. Feldman was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. Since 2003, he has been a solo practitioner focusing in criminal defense and DUI defense. From 2011 to the present, he has been working as an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School, where he teaches trial advocacy. Previously (2005-2015), he was engaged part-time as a hearing officer in the Administrative Hearings Department of the Illinois Secretary of State.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
In an earlier evaluation, the Council said that “Mr. Feldman is considered to have good legal ability and knowledgeable about his areas of practice. He is reported to have a good temperament, with high integrity. He has substantial litigation experience, including trial work. These cases, however, are often in less complex matters. This is a close call in light of his substantial experience, but at this point in his career, Mr. Feldman does not have substantial experience in sophisticated matters. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” Since that evaluation, although Mr. Feldman has added some complex criminal defense work to his career, we continue to, on balance, find him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Stephen Feldman has been licensed in Illinois since 2001. He is a solo practitioner with a concentration on criminal defense. He has also been an administrative law judge for the Secretary of State, and prior to starting his own practice he was an attorney with the City of Chicago Law Department, as well as an enforcement attorney for the Secretary of State. While not extensive in number, he has handled both criminal and civil juries. He is considered to have adequate legal knowledge, to be impartial, and to work hard with a good temperament. He has taught trial advocacy at John Marshall law school. Mr. Stephen Feldman 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 Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Robin Denise Shoffner - #154
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Robin Denise Shoffner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Shoffner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and was appointed to the bench in 2014. Judge Shoffner is currently assigned to the Fourth Municipal District. Judge Shoffner possesses the requisite legal ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge and is working to address concerns about her legal knowledge and temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Robin Denise Shoffner was admitted to practice in 1990 and was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014 and served until 2016. She has been re-appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She had been an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Department of Law where she represented the City of Chicago and police officers in civil litigation defense. She served as lead trial counsel. After clerking for the Hon. Glenn T. Johnson, she was an Associate with Carney and Brothers from 1992 to 1995. She then worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1995 to 1998 and then was a senior litigation associate for a small litigation firm from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2007 she was litigation counsel for the AON Corporation. Ms. Shoffner has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Her experience is varied including civil rights defense, commercial litigation, and torts. She is reported to have good legal ability. She was considered to be very knowledgeable and capable as an attorney. She is reported to have a low-key, professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Robin D. Shoffner was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014, and then reappointed in June 2016. She currently is assigned to the 4th Municipal District (Maywood). Prior to her judicial appointments, Judge Shoffner worked for the City of Chicago Department of Law doing civil litigation defense, appearing mainly in federal court. She had also worked in private practice and as a litigation counsel for AON Corporation. She has substantial litigation experience and as an attorney, was considered to be very knowledgeable, always prepared and professional. Judge Robin Denise Shoffner 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 | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party 8th Subcircuit Committeemen
Chicago NOW
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John Christopher Benson - #155
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
John Christopher Benson is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Benson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal and civil rights law. Mr. Benson has extensive practice experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, and temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
John Christopher Benson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. He is a solo practitioner focusing on criminal law and civil rights. Previously, he was Director of Criminal Law at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, where he worked from 2003 to 2010. Between 1989 and 2003, he worked as a trial attorney in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He has been active in NAACP’s Kankakee branch in multiple roles, including as a volunteer in its legal aid clinic. He also participated in the 24th District Legal Expungement Summit (2016), where he advised residents about their rights to have their criminal records sealed or expunged.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Benson is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in a variety of matters. He is reported to have good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
John C Benson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. After spending 14 years with the Cook County Public Defender, he became Director of Criminal Law at Cabrini-Green Legal Aid. In 2010 he opened his own practice handling mainly criminal defense and civil rights litigation. He has tried more than forty juries as lead counsel and has handled complex litigation at both the state and federal levels, as well as some appeals. He is considered to be very professional and generally well-prepared and a hard worker. He has volunteered with the NAACP. Mr. John Christopher Benson 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 |
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Bonnie C. McGrath - #156
No Campaign Website; candidate blogs regularly at ChicagoNowBonnie C. McGrath: In her own words
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Bonnie C. McGrath 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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Bonnie C. McGrath did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Bonnie C. McGrath declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Bonnie C. McGrath is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
Endorsement
Personal PAC
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