Noodling around the Internet yesterday, looking for something else, I discovered the Facebook campaign page for 9th Subcircuit judicial candidate Pam Stratigakis. A career Assistant State's Attorney, Stratigakis has been licensed in Illinois since 2001. Her most recent assignment, according to the bio on the Facebook page, has been in the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division.
A campaign website is apparently under construction, but it has not yet gone live.
Jack,
ReplyDeleteI realize that most of the neophytes aren't thinking about this, but the outcome of the Chief Judge election will have a huge impact on the circuit court races in 2020. If Tim "I'm Old As Dirt" Loses, it will likely create a vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit (as he would likely retire than permit Chief Judge Lorna "Man Am I A Ruthless Witch" Propes than return him to Traffic Court -- you know she would) in addition to major turnover amongst all of the presidings -- the non-Irish ones at least. So hey everybody, get your petitions ready because Jacobious, Sutker-Dermer, Kirby, bye bye.
Regards, FQ
FQ -- I know getting information about the forthcoming Chief Judge election is like getting updates from the Sistine Chapel during a papal conclave, at least for outsiders like me, but all the tea leaves I can see suggest that Chief Judge Evans is operating as if reelection were a done-deal-cinch-certainty. I've never heard anyone say that Judge Evans did not know how to count.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, while I would agree that there would probably be some significant reshuffling and likely departures among the PJs if Judge Evans were refused another term, I'm thinking that's a mighty big if at this point.
And while Judge Evans might decide to call it a career if he is not reelected as Chief Judge, I would find it astonishing if he were not offered a much nicer landing spot than Traffic Court. Kidding aside, I would not think that anyone would want to set such a mean-spirited precedent.
In a month we'll know for sure.
Jack, this is FQ. The fact that she would send him to Traffic Court is probably the very reason why she won't win. At the same time, thanks for posting. Now all of those Chatty Cathy gossips called Circuit Judges will be at it all day tomorrow about this theory.
ReplyDeleteCHIEF JUDGE EVANS APPOINTED CABONARGI TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW IN 2011 TO FILL THE VACANCY WHEN JOE BERRIOS BECAME ASSESSOR. NOW HE MIGHT SEE CABONARGI BECOME CLERK OF THE COURT AND USHER IN A NEW ERA OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY. IF I WERE TIM EVANS, THE MYRIAD OPPORTUNITIES OF THE POST-DOROTHY ERA ARE TOO EXCITING TO NOT WANT TO KEEP GOING.
ReplyDeleteJack, I couldn't agree with you more. FQ is merely full of fantasy and speculation. As one of those who work for the PJs that could be easily replaced, I can say that most judges are aghast at Judge Evans so called bond reform. It has been a failure and supports more gang gun offenders on the streets daily. This began as Toni Preckwinkle's budget plan to clean out the jail and with the full support of Kim Foxx, her former chief of staff, criminal prosecution and enforcement has been a JOKE. There are little consequences for committing crimes or failing to appear in court. However, if history is relevant, I don't believe there ever has been an election where the incumbent CJ was replaced by a new candidate. Maybe ever. Tom Allen came very close last time but the voting full circuits lost their nerve by a threat of the black clergy to advocate against the retention class. Each retention class of judges has little to no courage so they capitulate. So notwithstanding Tim's failures on many fronts, don't easily expect a Propes victory. Historically , it would be a huge upset. Don't bet on it.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8/23 @12:27 a.m. wrote, "I can say that most judges are aghast at Judge Evans so called bond reform." S/he calls criminal prosecution and enforcement a "JOKE."
ReplyDeleteOK. Suppose this to be so. It simply does not matter because "so called bond reform" remains popular in two areas that really matter. First and foremost, it remains a priority of President Preckwinkle. A CJ candidate who would scrap a pet project of the County Board President might have to cope with budgetary consequences. Judge Evans can count dollars as well as votes. Also -- and I suppose this may be a distant second -- the program remains popular with the media. Mayor Lightfoot's criticisms with regard to alleged gun offenders has not yet gained serious traction. If it eventually does, the CJ -- any CJ -- might recalibrate. But right now being in favor of bond reform is a position that enhances the perception of the Circuit Court in some influential circles.
Anon also wrote, "Tom Allen came very close last time but the voting full circuits lost their nerve by a threat of the black clergy to advocate against the retention class. Each retention class of judges has little to no courage so they capitulate."
Let's look at that a little closer.
Judge Propes was retained in 2018. So, if successful in her bid to become CJ, she would not have to face the voters, including any community leaders upset at her ouster of Judge Evans, until 2024. That would be the retention class that would have to worry most -- and lots can happen in five years to soothe troubled waters.
Also, if Judge Evans does lose, it will be the darndest thing. Most judges will, if confronted at retention time, insist that they supported him for years and were just as surprised as anyone at the result.
It would be much like those short list candidates for associate judge. One hears in every selection about candidates who were so certain of victory because every judge with whom they spoke -- and they spoke to darn near all of them -- assured them of their support. And yet, somehow, they still finished in the bottom half of the actual balloting.
So strange things can happen. And speculation is entertaining. But we'll know for real soon enough.
There is no retention class facing the voters on the heels of this election. Voters are stupid sheep who don’t care about judges. That why so many losers win these seats. Propes will lose only because she is despised. The vast majority of our judges could give two hot damns about bail reform. They just want cushy assignments where people laugh at their jokes and miss their rears.
ReplyDelete