Organizing the Data: Countywide Murphy Gorman 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.

Sheree Desiree Henry - #207

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Sheree D. Henry is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Henry was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and served for 18 years as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender and four years with the Public Guardian’s Office. Ms. Henry is well regarded for her integrity, calm demeanor, legal knowledge, and passionate advocacy on behalf of her clients.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Sheree D. Henry was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994, Since 1999, she has been an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County Public Defender's Office, where she represents indigent clients in felony cases. She has also worked as an Assistant Public Guardian in the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office (1995-1999), where she represented abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court.

Ms. Henry is considered to have good legal ability with substantial bench and jury litigation experience in a variety of criminal law matters. Respondents generally say that she is a good lawyer with good trial skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Sheree Desiree Henry was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was appointed to the circuit court in August 2019 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District – Traffic Section. Prior to her appointment, she was an assistant public defender where she spent the majority of her career; her first four years were with the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. She is a member of various bar associations and is involved in her community. She was also a
member of the Illinois National Guard.

As a public defender she had criminal jury and bench trial experience, including complex cases. She received favorable comments about her legal knowledge and temperament; is considered to be smart and a hard worker, with good integrity and sensitivity to racial and ethnic diversity issues. ISBA finds Judge Sheree D. Henry qualified to serve as a judge for 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: 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
IVI-IPO
AMVOTE PAC
Cong. Danny Davis
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Dorothy Brown
Personal PAC
The Soul Slate
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Dan Walsh - #208

No known Campaign Website (but there is a Facebook Campaign Page)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Dan Walsh 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:

Dan Walsh declined to participate in the evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Dan Walsh 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


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Amanda "Mandy" Pillsbury - #209

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Amanda Moira Pillsbury is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Pillsbury was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and has served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney since her admission. Ms. Pillsbury is currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division and has extensive jury and bench trial experience. Ms. Pillsbury has a calm demeanor and possesses the legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Amanda Moira Pillsbury was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2004. Since 2005, she has worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she currently serves in the Felony Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Court building. Her previous assignments there included the Felony Trial Division Skokie Courthouse; the Branch 66 Homicide and Sex Crimes Unit; the Grand Jury Unit; the Preliminary Hearings Unit; and the Felony Review Unit.

Ms. Pillsbury is considered to have good legal ability. Most respondents praised her temperament but a few noted that she can, on occasion, be abrasive with opposing counsel. She has substantial litigation experience although some respondents noted that a substantial amount of her experience has been in less complex matters. Most respondents praised her trial skills, although there were a few respondents who questioned her diligence. Most respondents praised her as a prosecutor. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Amanda Moira Pillsbury has been licensed to practice in Illinois since 2004. She is a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned to the felony courtrooms at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She has some community and parish activities. She has some jury trial experience.

Some attorneys reported that she is knowledgeable and a good litigator, while others questioned the extent of her involvement in complex matters and the depth of her experience. Opinions on her diligence and temperament were also divided between positive and negative. ISBA finds Ms. Amanda Moira Pillsbury not qualified to serve as a judge for 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: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
Citizens in Action for Better Government
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato
15th Ward Democratic Party
Democratic Citizens of Berwyn
New 26th Ward Independent Democratic Party

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Keely Patricia Hillison - #210

Campaign Website

Keely Patricia Hillison: In her own words

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Keely Patricia Hillison is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Hillison was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and has concentrated her practice in personal injury and insurance defense matters. Ms. Hillison has trial and appellate experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, diligence, and calm demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Keely Patricia Hillison was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. She is a Partner in the law firm of Parrillo Weiss LLP, where she handles civil litigation and appeals, working primarily on personal injury and insurance matters. She previously worked as an Associate for two law firms: Sidney L. Berger (1987-1989), where she handled civil litigation, appeals, and bankruptcy matters, and William L. Needler and Associates (1985-1986), where she handled bankruptcy matters.

Ms. Hillison is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her knowledge of the law in her field, and for her temperament. She has substantial litigation experience and is praised for her litigation skills. The Council notes that Ms. Hillison was involved earlier in her career in litigation matters where her firm was accused of filing frivolous claims. But in light of the totality of a well-respected career, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Keely Patricia Hillison has been licensed since 1985. She is partner at Parrillo Weiss and also worked briefly at two other firms, focusing on civil litigation. She is also an arbitrator. She has been active in bar association activities and is a member of the Board of the Appellate Lawyers Association. While she is considered to be professional and pleasant, concerns were raised over the extent of her experience with complex litigation and depth and breadth of her practice, as it is reported that much of her practice consists of high-volume, simpler cases. In addition, three of her appellate briefs resulted in sanctions from the Appellate Court against her firm for frivolous appeals. ISBA finds Ms. Keely Patricia Hillison not qualified to serve as a judge for 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: Not 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

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