Organizing the Data: Countywide K. Sheehan 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.

Jill Rose Quinn - #222

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Jill Rose Quinn is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinn was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in bankruptcy, probate, and real estate law. Ms. Quinn has extensive practice experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, and outstanding demeanor and temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Jill Rose Quinn was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983. Ms. Quinn began her career at Michael Barford as an associate. She then spent three years at Mevorah and Associates. In 1988, she worked at Jegen and Associates handling municipal law matters. She worked there until she started a solo practice in 1996, focusing on real estate. Additionally, she has worked as a Cook County arbitrator and a DuPage County arbitrator.

Ms. Quinn is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, and has substantial litigation experience in more complex legal areas. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Jill Rose Quinn has been licensed since 1983. She is a sole practitioner with a general practice, focusing on family, criminal, probate, real estate, and business matters. Prior to opening her practice in 1997 she worked for several private firms., was the village attorney for Glen Ellyn, and has been an arbitrator in DuPage and Cook counties. She is a member of several bar associations. She has limited criminal jury experience but many civil bench trials and has handled some appellate matters. She is considered to have good legal ability with good demeanor. Ms. Jill Rose Quinn is found to be qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

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

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
Mayor Lori Lightfoot
LGBTQ Victory Fund
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
Cong. Danny Davis
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Personal PAC

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James Samuel Worley - #223

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

James Samuel Worley is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Worley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in domestic relations, administrative law, criminal, and DUI defense. Mr. Worley has broad experience in both criminal law and domestic relations. He is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, thoughtful demeanor, and fine temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

James S. Worley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. Since 2019, he has been the Managing Attorney at Gottreich, Grace, & Thompson, where he handles domestic relations matters and represents police officers before the Citizens Organization for Police Accountability and the Chicago Police Internal Review Board. Previously, he was Owner of the Law Offices of J. Samuel Worley, LLC, where he handled domestic relations matters (2009-2018), and an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he worked in the Felony Review department (2009); the Preliminary Hearing and Grand Jury Division (2008-2009); the Maywood courthouse, where he prosecuted misdemeanor cases (2006-2008); and the Child Enforcement Division (2004-2006).

Mr. Worley receives high praise for his legal knowledge, ability, and experience. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

James Samuel Worley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. After spending five years as an assistant state’s attorney, where his assignments included Child Support, Felony and Misdemeanors in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood), he opened a solo practice handling domestic relations, traffic and misdemeanor cases. Since January 2019 he has been managing director for domestic relations at Gottreich Grace & Thompson. He is a member of some bar associations. In general, it was reported that he has adequate legal knowledge and was praised for his demeanor. Concerns were raised by some attorneys about the depth and breadth of his experience and his minimal experience with jury trials and complex litigation. ISBA finds Mr. James Samuel Worley 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: 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
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Citizens in Action for Better Government
38th Ward Nicholas Sposato
29th Ward Democratic Organization

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* Before anyone fires off an email, the Alliance has advised that the last published grid (which showed this rating as an NR) was incorrect, and that this is the correct rating.

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Wendelin "Wendi" DeLoach - #234

No Campaign Website known (but there is a campaign Instagram page)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Wendelin “Wendi” DeLoach 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:

Wendelin DeLoach declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Wendelin DeLoach 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

15th Ward Democratic Party
The Soul Slate
New 26th Ward Independent Democratic Party

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