Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
Thomas Peter Kougias - #265
No current campaign website found
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Thomas Peter Kougias is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kougias was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and is currently serving as an Assistant Winnebago County State’s Attorney. Mr. Kougias served for 21 years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and from 2012-2019 he was a sole practitioner concentrating in criminal defense work. Mr. Kougias has extensive criminal trial experience and possesses the legal knowledge and practice experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Thomas P. Kougias was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1988. Mr. Kougias He is currently in private practice handling criminal defense work. He served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for most of his career, leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office in 2012. In 2013, the Council said, “Mr. Kougias has had substantial litigation experience, but the Council is concerned that he has not distinguished himself as a prosecutor. Many lawyers say that he lacks sufficient trial management skills to become a judge and some lawyers say that he is not always punctual. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.“ While the current investigation shows some improvement in these areas, the Council’s previous concerns continue to exist. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Thomas Peter Kougias was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. He worked as an assistant state’s attorney from 1992 until 2012 and has been in private practice since 2012 focusing on criminal defense and traffic cases. He is a member of some bar associations.
While attorneys report that he is an experienced criminal litigator with good legal knowledge, some concerns were raised about his lack of civil experience, organizational skills and temperament. ISBA finds Mr. Thomas Peter Kougias not 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: Qualified
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
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Julie Bess Aimen - #236
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Julie Bess Aimen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Aimen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and is a solo practitioner concentrating in criminal defense, family law, civil rights, general litigation, and appellate matters. Ms. Aimen is a seasoned practitioner with extensive trial experience in criminal and domestic relations cases. Ms. Aimen is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, and calm demeanor.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Julie Bess Aimen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. She has had a solo private practice since 1986, specializing in criminal, family, municipal, and civil rights law. From 1984 to 1986, Ms. Aimen was an Assistant Appellate Defender with the Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD). She has also been a Hearing Officer for the City of Chicago Department of Revenue (1992-1997). She has taught Trial Advocacy and, since 1999, has been a judge for the National Trial Advocacy Competition. Ms. Aimen has been a chair-qualified Cook County Arbitrator since 1990 and is a past president of Illinois Attorneys for Criminal Justice.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Aimen is considered to have very good legal ability and a good temperament. She has extensive complex litigation experience in the areas of criminal law, family law, civil rights, and appellate law. She is considered to be a zealous advocate for her clients. Her integrity is unquestioned. Ms. Aimen is highly regarded as an excellent practitioner and she is praised for her work in improving the administration of justice through her pro bono efforts. The Council considers Ms. Aimen to be Well Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Julie Bess Aimen has been licensed since 1984. She is a sole practitioner primarily in criminal defense, family law and civil rights matters. Prior to opening her practice, she did criminal appeals for the Office of the State Appellate Defender. She has taught and lectured at law schools, is a past president and board members of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers/Illinois Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and a past board member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She has also been an arbitrator for Cook County.
Attorneys and judges highly praised her legal knowledge and ability. She is considered to be diligent and straightforward. She has substantial pre-trial motion, jury and bench trial experience, both criminal and civil, in complex matters. ISBA finds Ms. Julie Bess Aimen highly 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
Chicago Tribune
Chicago NOW PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)
------------------------------------------------------Chicago NOW PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)
Michael Alan Strom - #237
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Michael Alan Strom is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Strom was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1977 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019. Judge Strom is currently assigned to the Circuit Court’s Housing Division. Judge Strom is passionate about his work and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Michael A. Strom was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1977. Before his appointment to the bench, in early 2019, Strom had a litigation practice with Strom & Associates. From 1997 to 2011 he was Staff Counsel to CNA while in private practice. He was a lawyer and then a partner with Schaffenegger, Watson & Peterson from 1978 to 1984. Mr. Strom has good legal ability and has been widely praised for his good temperament. He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer on a variety of challenging cases. He is also involved in community activities such as the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Michael Alan Strom has been licensed since 1977. He was appointed to the circuit court in January 2019 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District. From October 2014 until his appointment, he was a staff attorney in the Legal Research Division, Office of the Chief Judge. Prior to that, he was a civil litigator concentrating on tort cases, both with his own practice and as a partner in a firm. He is a board member and past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and has been a speaker and author on legal topics. He was a founding member of the Chicago Coalition for Law Related Education.
He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer in civil matters and is respected by other attorneys for his knowledge, ability, diligence, and professionalism. ISBA finds Judge Michael Alan Strom 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: Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Highly Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Highly Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsements
IVI-IPO
Advocates Society (Endorsed)
United Hellenic Voters of America
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------Advocates Society (Endorsed)
United Hellenic Voters of America
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC
Basileios "Bill" Foutris - #238
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Basileiois “Bill” Foutris is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Foutris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is currently in private practice concentrating in plaintiff’s civil rights and police misconduct litigation. Mr. Foutris has extensive trial experience and has personally tried many high profile cases in the Federal and State Courts. While Mr. Foutris is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal experience, there is a need to work on his temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Basileios “Bill” John Foutris was admitted to practice in 2000. His practice has been devoted to representing victims of police misconduct. As a civil rights lawyer, he has been involved in litigating wrongful death, police shootings, police brutality, illegal searches, false arrest, coerced confessions, malicious prosecution and other police misconduct. He has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He is praised for his knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Basileios “Bill” Foutris has been licensed since 2000. Since 2005 he has been a sole practitioner with Foutris Law Office, Ltd. where he represents plaintiffs in civil rights and police misconduct civil litigation matters. Prior to opening his own firm, he was an associate and a contract attorney with two other civil litigation firms. He is a member of several bar associations and does pro bono work through his practice.
He has substantial civil jury and bench trial experience in both state and federal courts and has handled some high-profile cases as well as some appeals. Most attorneys generally reported that he a formidable opponent respected for his knowledge. A few attorneys interviewed felt that at time he took advantage of less-experienced colleagues in resolving disputed and was not always easy to work with; some attributed any such issues to his passion for his clients. ISBA finds Mr. Basileios Foutris 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
Niles Township Democrats
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