Organizing the Data: Appellate Court - Simon vacancy

Updated March 16, 2020
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.

John Griffin - #175

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Justice John C. Griffin is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Justice Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2008. Justice Griffin was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and served as a supervising judge in the Law Division before his appointment to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2018. Justice Griffin is hardworking and well regarded for his knowledge of the law, broad experience, and excellent legal ability.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Hon. John C. Griffin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1976. Since 2018, he has served as a Judge of the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District. Prior to that, he served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, where he was assigned to the Law Division – Commercial Calendar T (2011-2018; Supervising Judge, 2013-2018), the Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section of the Chancery Division (2008-2011), and Traffic Court in the First Municipal District (2008). Prior to becoming a judge, he was Partner/Owner at Griffin & Gallagher (1977-2008), where he handled civil litigation and real estate development and transactions.

Judge Griffin is considered to have excellent legal ability and to be both a sound researcher and hard-working. He is praised for the quality of his written opinions and he is reported to have good judicial temperament. He is a frequent contributor to judicial training sessions. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Appellate Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

John Griffin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. He was appointed to the Appellate Court – First District in 2018. In 2008 he was appointed to the circuit court, elected in 2010 and retained in 2016. His assignments in the circuit court included five years as supervising judge of the Commercial Calendar Section in the Law Division, Traffic and Mortgage Foreclosures and Mechanics Liens. Before his appointment to the bench he had a general civil private practice. He has been a speaker on legal topics, edited and wrote part of the Mortgage Foreclosure Bench Book, and is a member of various bar associations and Supreme Court committees.

Attorneys praised him as a hard worker and solid researcher with outstanding legal knowledge and ability. His written opinions are clear and understandable, and he is respectful to all. ISBA finds Judge John Griffin highly qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

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: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
LGBTQ Impact
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
15th Ward Democratic Party
Democratic Citizens of Berwyn

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Sharon O. Johnson - #176

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Sharon O. Johnson is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Johnson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010. Judge Johnson is currently assigned to the Domestic Relations Division in the Sixth Municipal District and presides over cases involving dissolution of marriage, parentage, and allocation of parental responsibility. Judge Johnson is an experienced jurist well regarded for her work ethic, diligence, calm demeanor, and legal knowledge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Hon. Sharon O. Johnson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1996. Since 2010, she has served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, where her assignments have included the Sixth Municipal District (2015-present), the Domestic Relations Division, Daley Center (2015), Domestic Relations – Parentage and Child Support (2011-2015), and the Traffic Division (2010-2011). Prior to becoming a judge, she was Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of S.D. Oden, P.C. (1999-2010), where she handled real estate, contract, corporate, and family law matters. She was also an Adjunct Professor at Olive Harvey College (2002-2006), where she taught business law.

Judge Johnson is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for being thoughtful and hard-working. Overall, she is reported to be an excellent jurist. The Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Sharon O. Johnson was admitted in 1996. She was elected to the circuit court in 2010 and retained in 2016. After previous assignments in Traffic and Domestic Relations, she currently sits in Domestic Relations in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). At the time of her election, she owned a solo general practice. She is past chair of the Illinois Judicial Council, speaks on legal topics, a member of several bar associations, sits on several Supreme Court committees, and is the recipient of some awards.

Attorneys generally reported that she is bright and prepared with good legal knowledge, though a few expressed concern over the breadth of her experience. She is patient with litigants and has a calm demeanor. ISBA finds Judge Sharon O. Johnson qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

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: 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

IVI-IPO
Cong. Danny Davis
Dorothy Brown

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