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.
Brian Terrence Sexton - #144
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Brian Terrence Sexton is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Sexton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for 30 years before entering private practice. Mr. Sexton has extensive court experience and has tried many complex criminal cases. Mr. Sexton is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, and excellent demeanor.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Brian Terrance Sexton was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1987. Since 2017, he has worked as a Solo Practitioner at Brian T. Sexton and Associates, PC in Naperville, IL, where he handles criminal defense and some civil plaintiff and defense matters. From 1987 through 2016, worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he was Chief (2010-2016) and Deputy Chief (2009-2010) of the Narcotics Bureau; Supervisor (2004-2009), Deputy Supervisor (1998-2004), and an Assistant State’s Attorney (1994-1998) at the Gang Prosecutions Unit; a Felony Review Trial Supervisor at the Felony Trial Review Unit (1990-1994); and an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Night Narcotics, Felony Review, Juvenile, and Appeals Divisions (1987-1990).The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Sexton is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his legal knowledge and trial skills. Lawyers and judges say he has a good temperament. He has substantial experience in complex criminal law matters, and, most recently, in civil litigation matters. The Council, however, must balance these favorable views with the fact that there have been multiple occasions where the Illinois Appellate Court has reversed convictions because of Mr. Sexton's improper conduct. The grounds for these reversals include a Batson violation in one appeal; improperly commenting on a defendant's exercise of the right not to testify in another appeal; and, in a third appeal, using rebuttal argument to accuse a defendant and defense counsel of trying to "fix" the case. Additionally, in cases where the Appellate Court has affirmed conviction, Mr. Sexton's conduct has been criticized, writing in one case that Sexton's remarks in closing argument "troubled" the Court because his closing included comments that "we repeatedly have held cross the line of propriety." On balance, the Council finds Mr. Sexton Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Brian Terrence Sexton was admitted to the bar in 1987. Prior to opening his solo practice in 2016, he was a career assistant state’s attorney. He was Chief of the Narcotics Bureau from 2010-2016, prior assignments included Gang Crimes and Felony Trial. He currently focuses on criminal defense. He has extensive jury and bench trial experience, including in complex and high-profile cases, and has trained both police officers and prosecutors. The majority of attorneys and judges interviewed consider him to be extremely knowledgeable, punctual and diligent. While most report him to be professional, concerns were raised by some over what they considered to be bullying and demeaning treatment of defendants and witnesses as a prosecutor. There have been at least three cases from 1997-2001 where an appellate court found that improper comments had been made during trial; as a prosecutor has been sued four times, although he was dismissed out in three (one is currently pending). In general, most opposing attorneys interviewed felt he would be fair and impartial. Mr. Brian Terrence Sexton 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 | 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 |
Endorsement
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
------------------------------------------------------Peter Michael Gonzalez - #145
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Peter Michael Gonzalez is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Gonzalez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and is a sole practitioner concentrating in criminal defense matters. Mr. Gonzalez has extensive trial and bench experience and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Peter Michael Gonzalez was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench, he had been a solo practitioner whose main focus is criminal defense, but who also handles matters that include domestic relations, employment, licensing, and immigration. He has also worked as an administrative law judge in the Illinois Department of Employment Security (2003-2013) and as an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office (1994-2003), where his assignments included Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Abuse and Neglect, Preliminary Hearings, Night Narcotics, and the Felony Trial Division. Since 2012, he has been a Member of the Lawyer’s Auxiliary Board of the Illinois Judges Foundation. In 2005 and 2007, he was disciplined by his employer, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, for discourtesy during hearings he conducted as an administrative law judge.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
In 2013, the Council stated that, “Mr. Gonzalez is reported to have good legal ability and his earlier career involved substantial litigation matters. He was praised for his temperament as defense counsel, and is considered to be a good defense lawyer. The Council, however, is concerned about negative reports concerning his current role as an administrative hearing officer. He is reported to be inappropriately impatient and rude to litigants. He is criticized for the disrespectful manner in which he sometimes treats witnesses. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” Since 2013, Mr. Gonzalez had been a solo practitioner and has received positive marks for his work. But the Council continues to be concerned about Mr. Gonzalez’s temperament before he took the bench. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified.
Peter Michael Gonzalez has been licensed since 1994. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in November, 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District and Traffic section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Gonzalez was a sole practitioner with a general practice focusing on criminal defense, domestic relations, employment and immigration law. Prior to opening his practice, he was an assistant public defender and an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security. He has some criminal jury trial experience, and both criminal and civil bench trial experience. Most attorneys gave positive feedback on his legal knowledge; a few did have some concerns about his diligence as an attorney. He has been active in both bar association and community activities and engaged in pro bono work. Judge Peter Michael Gonzalez 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 | Highly Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago NOW
Personal PAC
The Advocates Society (recommended)
Polish American Police Association
------------------------------------------------------Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago NOW
Personal PAC
The Advocates Society (recommended)
Polish American Police Association
Bradley R. Trowbridge - #146
Campaign Website (newly added)
Tribune Questionnaire
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Bradley Trowbridge is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Trowbridge was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and for the past 12 years has served as a sole practitioner concentrating in family law. Prior to opening his own law firm, Mr. Trowbridge worked in the field of legal aid and served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. Mr. Trowbridge has had many bench trials and a small number of jury trials. Mr. Trowbridge is well regarded for his integrity and excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Bradley R. Trowbridge was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2000. Prior to law school he served as a social worker. Since 2004 he has served as a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations issues. He has worked as a staff attorney at the Chicago Department of Law; a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; and as an associate with Audrey Gaynor & Associates. He has done domestic violence order of protection pro bono work.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Trowbridge is considered to have good legal ability. He has had substantial litigation experience in a variety of areas. Judges and practitioners praise his litigation skills. A few respondents questioned his temperament, but on balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Bradley R. Trowbridge has been licensed since 2000. He has had his own law practice since 2003 handling domestic, chancery, probate, and criminal matters. He also serves as an appointed guardian ad litem and teaches at The John Marshall Law School. He previously worked for several agencies including the Legal Assistance Foundation, and is a mediator and arbitrator. He has not tried a jury trial and has handled many bench trials and evidentiary hearings. Attorneys consider him to be professional, civil and fair. Mr. Bradley R. Trowbridge 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 |
Endorsement
IVI-IPO
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