Politico's Illinois Playbook carries Supreme Court bid announcement from Justice Reyes

This morning's Illinois Playbook reports that Illinois Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes has declared for the Freeman vacancy on the Illinois Supreme Court.

Politico's Illinois Playbook is regularly linked in the blog Sidebar.

An excerpt from this morning's post:

In his election announcement sent to POLITICO, Reyes, the first Latino elected to the Appellate Court in Illinois, said, “As a descendant of immigrants and a product of a blue-collar family, I know of the struggles many people in the state of Illinois have to endure on a daily basis.”

The Illinois Playbook post includes the suggestion that six other jurists, including Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., who was appointed to the Freeman vacancy last year, and Justice Sheldon A. Harris, whose election announcement ran yesterday here on FWIW, are exploring possible campaigns for this position.

Personal opinion, clearly labeled as such: I think there may be as many as 10 or 12 candidates who will seriously consider bids for the Freeman vacancy. I do not necessarily expect that all 10 or 12 will make it to the ballot in the March 2020 primary -- but Supreme Court vacancies are rare (justices are elected to 10-year terms and face only a retention election thereafter, not a contested election, in order to remain in office) and this scarcity almost necessitates a 'now-or-never' analysis.

Justice Sheldon A. Harris announces for Supreme Court vacancy

Illinois Appellate Court Justice Sheldon A. Harris has declared his candidacy for the 1st District Supreme Court vacancy to be filled in 2020.

Justice Harris released this statement in connection with that announcement:

My good friend and learned jurist Charles Freeman retired last February. His retirement has created a Supreme Court vacancy which will be filled in the 2020 elections.

Today I am announcing that I am a candidate in the March, 2020 Democratic primary election to fill his vacancy.

No candidate for the Freeman vacancy can better or match my experience and qualifications:

• Justice of Appellate Court, First District since 2010 having authored over 400 Opinions and Orders.
• Rated Qualified/Recommended by every bar association that rates judges.
• Over 25 years of extensive Trial Lawyer Experience
• 10 years Circuit Court Cook County Jury Trial Judge
• Former Chicago Public Schools Teacher

A committee supporting me is in formation and HarrisForJustice.com is in place.

I look forward to the election campaign and will be grateful for your support.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. to the Freeman vacancy last June, but he would have to win election to this seat in 2020 to continue in office.

South Asian Bar Association of Chicago plans Judicial Reception for April 11

The South Asian Bar Association of Chicago has announced that its Second Annual Judicial Reception will be held on Thursday, April 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kimpton Hotel Allegro, 171 West Randolph Street.

SABA will be honoring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis at this event and welcoming newly appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge Sunil R. Harjani. SABA Chicago Preisdent Chirag H. Patel advises that over 100 judges have already indicated plans to attend.

Tickets for the reception are $100 each for non-members, $80 for SABA Chicago members, and $25 for law students. Members of the judiciary will be admitted without charge, but all must register. To purchase tickets or register for the event click here.

Attention Last Minute CLE Shoppers -- 7th Circuit Bar Association Symposium tomorrow

My fault entirely for the late posting -- but, if you can defer the start of your St. Patrick's Day celebrations until tomorrow night, you can pick up 6.75 Illinois CLE hours at a symposium put on by the 7th Circuit Bar Association, from 9:00 to 5:15, at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe. Here is the agenda for the seminar, "Today's Challenges to a Functional Congress: Revitalizing Article I" (click to enlarge or clarify):

Here is the registration link.

The price (for those seeking CLE credit) is $50. A reception follows the program.