Updated March 14, 2020
Updated March 12, 2020
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
Owens "Joe" Shelby - #231
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Owens “Joe” Shelby is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shelby was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, Second Chair, in the Felony Trial Division in the 4th Municipal District. Mr. Shelby has handled several felony and misdemeanor trials and has had some juvenile and civil experience.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Owens J. Shelby was admitted to practice in 2007. He has been a career Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney working as a second chair prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. He served for less than a year as the Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, and as a contract attorney with Loevy & Loevy in 2007 to 2008. Mr. Shelby is considered to have good legal ability with a very good temperament. He is praised for his diligence. Most lawyers praise his abilities although a few say he lacks adequate experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Owens “Joe” Shelby has been licensed since 2007. Aside from a brief period as assistant counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, he has been a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned to a felony courtroom in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). He has been treasurer of the National Black Prosecutors Association – Chicago Chapter, and is active with the NAACP – Chicago Westside Chapter.
Attorneys generally reported that he has solid legal knowledge and ability and knows how to apply the law to the facts. He is considered to be respectful of all with solid character. He has some criminal jury trial experience, though attorneys reported not necessarily in very complex matters. ISBA finds Mr. Owens Shelby qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsement
Democratic Citizens of Berwyn
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Marcia O'Brien Conway - #232
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Marcia O’Brien Conway is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Conway was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and served from 1993-2018 as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney in the Real Estate Tax Litigation Unit. Ms. Conway has significant trial experience and is well regarded for her diligence and work ethic.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Marcia O’Brien Conway was admitted to practice in 1984. She was a sole practitioner between 1986 and 1991. She retired from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2018 after having served there since 1993. She represented Cook County and County officials in real estate tax litigation between 2008 and 2018. She drafted and negotiated purchase and sale agreements between 1994 and 2008. She was in private practice between 1994 and 1988, including at the law firm of Winston & Strawn.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Conway is praised for her legal ability and knowledge. She was often cited as an expert in real estate and taxation law. She is reported to always be well prepared and she is praised for her litigation skills. She is considered to have a very good temperament with a patient but effective demeanor. She is said to be exceptionally hard working. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Marcia O’Brien Conway was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1984. She was an assistant state’s attorney from 1993 until 2018. Her assignments included Real Estate Tax Division, Corporate Transactions and Chancery. Prior to her employment with the State’s Attorney’s Office, she had been a sole practitioner handling real estate matters, and both a consulting attorney and an associate attorney with Winston and Strawn handling commercial litigation and real estate cases. She was a member of the River Forest Plan Commission from 1995 to 2008; is a member of various bar associations; and is active in community affairs. She has civil litigation experience and attorneys report that she has excellent legal knowledge citing her ability to reduce complicated issues into manageable parts. She is considered to be professional and compassionate. ISBA finds Ms. Marcia O’Brien Conway qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsement
Chicago Tribune
------------------------------------------------------Pamela Reaves-Harris - #233
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Pamela Reaves-Harris is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Reaves-Harris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and has varied practice experience and service as an Administrative Law Judge for the City of Chicago and several suburban municipalities. Ms. Reaves-Harris served as an Illinois State Representative in the General Assembly from 2015-2017. Since 2017, Ms. Reaves-Harris has served as Special Cook County Assistant to Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel for the Bureau of Economic Development, the Department of Building and Zoning, and to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Reaves-Harris has a fine demeanor and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Pamela Reaves-Harris was admitted to practice in 1992. She was an Illinois State Representative for the 10th District. From 1996 to 2015 she was a sole practitioner and served as Assistant Vice President/Compliance Officer for Citibank between 1993 and 1995. She has served as an Administrative Law Judge for several municipalities. She is considered to be smart and knowledgeable. She has an extraordinary record of community service and is well respected for her work as a practicing attorney and as an administrative law judge. She has an exemplary temperament. The Council is concerned that she has little litigation experience but we note that her overall experience demonstrates the ability to be a good judge. On balance, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Pamela Reaves-Harris has been licensed since 1992. Since 2017 she has been the special assistant for Legal Affairs for the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development. From 2015 to 2017 she served as the state representative for the 10th District and sat on the Civil Judiciary Committee. Before her election she had been in private practice for eleven years and had also held several positions with Citibank, including associate/assistant, president/compliance officer. While
in private practice, she also served as an administrative law judge for Chicago, Maywood and Broadview. She has been active in community affairs.
Attorneys reported that she is smart, knowledgeable, a quick learner, and fair. Although some concerns were raised about her lack of litigation experience, she was well-respected as an administrative law judge and attorneys stated that she keeps up with the law. ISBA finds Ms. Pamela Reaves-Harris qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsements
29th Ward Democratic Organization
Cong. Danny Davis
------------------------------------------------------Cong. Danny Davis
Mable Taylor - #234
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Mable Taylor 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:
Not Recommended - Did not participate in the evaluation.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mable Taylor declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Mable Taylor is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
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
The Soul Slate
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Kristen Marie Lyons - #235
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Kristen Marie Lyons is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Lyons was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and matrimonial matters. Ms. Lyons has extensive litigation experience in both defense and plaintiff cases. Ms. Lyons has a fine temperament and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Not Recommended - Did not participate in the evaluation.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Kristen Marie Lyons declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Kristen Marie Lyons is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
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
Endorsements
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Advocates Society (Endorsed)
------------------------------------------------------Advocates Society (Endorsed)
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