Updated March 14, 2018
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.
Amanda Moira Pillsbury - #135
Statement on Cook County Clerk's Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questonnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Amanda Moira Pillsbury is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Pillsbury was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and has served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney since her admission. Ms. Pillsbury is currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division and has extensive jury and bench trial experience. Ms. Pillsbury has a calm demeanor and possesses the legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Amanda Moira Pillsbury was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2004. Since 2005, she has worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she currently serves in the Felony Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Court building. Her previous assignments there included the Felony Trial Division Skokie Courthouse; the Branch 66 Homicide and Sex Crimes Unit; the Grand Jury Unit; the Preliminary Hearings Unit; and the Felony Review Unit.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Pillsbury is considered to have good legal ability. Most respondents praised her temperament but a few noted that she can, on occasion, be abrasive with opposing counsel. She has substantial litigation experience although some respondents noted that a substantial amount of her experience has been in less complex matters. Most respondents praised her trial skills, although there were a few respondents who questioned her diligence. Most respondents praised her as a prosecutor. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court at this time.
Amanda Moira Pillsbury has been licensed since 2004. She is a career assistant state’s attorney. She has minimal jury trial experience. Some attorneys reported that she is knowledgeable and a good litigator, while others questioned the extent of her involvement in complex matters and the depth of her experience. Opinions on her diligence and temperament were also divided between positive and negative. Ms. Amanda Moira Pillsbury 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 | PENDING |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not 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
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
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Preston Jones Jr. - #136
Campaign Website
Preston Jones, Jr.: In his own words
Law BulletinQuestionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Preston Jones, Jr. is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Jones was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and is currently serving as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender assigned to the Homicide Task Force at the Criminal Court. Mr. Jones has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, work ethic, and outstanding temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Preston Jones, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. He was appointed a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in September 2017. Prior to taking the bench, he was an Assistant Public Defender at Cook County Public Defender’s Office, where from 2004 to 2017 he was a member of the Homicide Task Force. Before that, he served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Felony Trial Division (1998-2004) and in Juvenile Justice/Child Protection.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Judge Jones is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his knowledge of the criminal law and for his trial skills. He is reported to have a professional demeanor and was a zealous advocate. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Preston Jones, Jr. has been licensed since 1995. He was appointed to the circuit court in September 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic Section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Jones was a career public defender where his assignments included Juvenile Justice, Felony Trial and Homicide Task Force. He has extensive jury and bench trial experience, including in complex cases. Attorneys gave him positive remarks, and he is considered to be very smart, zealous and professional. Judge Preston Jones, Jr. 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 Tribune
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Advocates Society (Recommended)
Polish American Police Association
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Advocates Society (Recommended)
Polish American Police Association
Personal PAC
Keely Patricia Hillison - #137
Campaign Website
Keely Patricia Hillison: In her own words
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
ICJL Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Keely Patricia Hillison is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Hillison was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and has concentrated her practice in personal injury and insurance defense matters. Ms. Hillison has trial and appellate experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, diligence, and calm demeanor.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Keely Patricia Hillison was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. She is a Partner in the law firm of Parrillo Weiss LLP, where she handles civil litigation and appeals, working primarily on personal injury and insurance matters. She previously worked as an Associate for two law firms: Sidney L. Berger (1987-1989), where she handled civil litigation, appeals, and bankruptcy matters, and William L. Needler and Associates (1985-1986), where she handled bankruptcy matters.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Hillison is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her knowledge of the law in her field, and for her temperament. She has substantial litigation experience and is praised for her litigation skills. The Council notes that Ms. Hillison was involved earlier in her career in litigation matters where her firm was accused of filing frivolous claims. But in light of the totality of a well respected career, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Keely Patricia Hillison has been licensed since 1985. She is partner at Parrillo Weiss and also worked briefly at two other firms, focusing on civil litigation. She is also an arbitrator. While she is considered to be professional and pleasant, concerns were raised over the extent of her experience with complex litigation and depth and breadth of her practice, as it is reported that much of her practice consists of high-volume, simpler cases, In addition, three of her appellate briefs resulted in sanctions against her firm for frivolous appeals. She has been active in bar association activities. Ms. Keely Patricia Hillison 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 | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | PENDING |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
Highly Recommended - Illinois Civil Justice League
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Ioana Salajanu - #137
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Ioana Salajanu is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Salajanu was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is currently practicing law with a small firm concentrating her practice in corporate Law, commercial real estate, and intellectual property matters. Although Ms. Salajanu has been practicing law for 17 years, the scope of her practice and court experience is limited. At this point in her career, Ms. Salajanu does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal experience to effectively serve as a judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Ioana Salajanu was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. Since 2015, she has been a partner at Rock, Fusco & Connelly LLP, where she handles matters that include commercial litigation and international mergers and acquisitions. She has also worked as a partner at Bryce, Downey & Lenkov (2012-2015); as a solo practitioner (2005-2015); and as an associate at Childress & Zdeb (2003-2005), Conklin, Murphy, Conklin & Snyder (2002-2003) and Central State Funds (2000-2002).The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Salajanu is considered to have good legal ability. She has conducted few actual trials but has been involved in a substantial motion practice in complex matters. She is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Ioana Salajanu was admitted in 2000. She has practiced primarily in the areas of commercial litigation and corporate law with several different firms and as solo practitioner. She is currently with Rock, Fusco & Connelly. While she is considered diligent and able, concerns were raised over her lack of any jury or bench trials, and the depth and breadth of her practice. Ms. Ioana Salajanu 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 | Not 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 | Not Recommended |
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Shame on LAGBAC. Most candidates don't yet have evaluations from them. I know at least 2 candidates who were interviewed by the Alliance in August. All the other Alliance bar associations completed their evaluations months ago but here's LAGBAC still unable to get completed evaluations conducted over 6 months ago. Any bar association demanding a seat at the evaluation table owes it to candidates to promptly complete their evaluations.
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