Organizing the Data: Countywide Roti 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.

Lorraine Mary Murphy - #215

Campaign Website

Lorraine Mary Murphy: In her own words

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Ms. Lorraine Mary Murphy is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Murphy was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2003 and has served her entire career as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Ms. Murphy is assigned to the Felony Trial Division at the George Leighton Criminal Court Building. Ms. Murphy has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, fairness and diligence.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Lorraine Mary Murphy was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2003. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she currently is First Chair in a felony courtroom at the George Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She is a member of several bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association, where she served on the Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Ms. Murphy is considered to have good legal ability. She is reported to have a good temperament and is praised for her trial skills. She has substantial experience in complex litigation matters and is currently a lead prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Lorraine Mary Murphy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She is a career assistant state’s attorney assigned to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She is a member of several bar associations and has served on committees with the Chicago Bar Association. She has some community activities.

Attorneys respect her as an accomplished attorney with impressive legal knowledge. It was overwhelmingly reported that she is hard working and seeks to do justice. She has substantial jury trial experience. ISBA finds Ms. Lorraine Mary Murphy 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: 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: Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
Citizens in Action for Better Government
43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith
42nd Ward Democratic Organization
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato
New 26th Ward Independent Democratic Party

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James Patrick Crawley - #216

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

James Patrick Crawley is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Crawley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in complex litigation and insurance defense. Mr. Crawley has extensive practice experience and has been actively engaged in providing pro bono legal services in the community. Mr. Crawley is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, diligence, and fine temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

James Patrick Crawley was admitted to practice in 1990. He is currently a sole practitioner. From 1999 to 2002 he was Deputy General Counsel in the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. Before 1999 he was a lawyer in small law firms handling personal injury litigation work. He has substantial experience handling more complex personal injury litigation. Mr. Crawley is praised a solid litigator who is hard-working with a good temperament. He is considered to have good legal ability and is exceptionally knowledgeable. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

James Patrick Crawley has been licensed since 1990. He handles tort litigation for Kennedy and Associates. He is a member of several bar associations, has been a volunteer attorney and serves on several Illinois Supreme Court committees including the Judicial Performance and Evaluation Committee. He is involved with community activities.

He is considered to be a thorough, knowledgeable, honest, and fair attorney. ISBA finds Mr. James Patrick Crawley 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 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
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
15th Ward Democratic Party
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Araceli Reyes De La Cruz - #217

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Araceli De La Cruz is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. De La Cruz was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 2001-2009. From 2009-2014, Ms. De La Cruz served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Chicago Transit Authority, Chief Safety and Security Officer with Executive oversight for compliance. From 2014-2016, Ms. De La Cruz served as Chief of General Prosecutions for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Since 2016, Ms. De La Cruz has served as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for Acero Charter Schools. Ms. De La Cruz is hardworking and well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, trial and managerial skills, and excellent temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Araceli Reyes De La Cruz was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. Since 2016, she has been the General Counsel/Chief Administrative Officer for Arcero Schools, a larger Chicago charter school network. There, she handles a variety of matters, including student law, labor and employment, and corporate transactions. Previously, she was Chief of General Prosecutions at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (2014-2016); Deputy Chief of Staff (2009-2011) and Chief Safety and Security Officer (2011-2014) of the Chicago Transit Authority; and an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (2001-2009). She provides pro bono services to the Casa Central Social Service Agency.

Ms. De La Cruz is considered to have very good legal ability with substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters. She is reported to always be prepared and is praised for her litigation skills. Her career has included a variety of legal areas, and she has demonstrated that she is adept at learning new law and applying that law to a variety of approaches. She is reported to have an excellent temperament – respectful while being a zealous advocate. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Araceli Reyes De La Cruz was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Since 2016 she has been the General Counsel/Chief Administrative Officer for Acero Schools handling policy and labor relations and coordinating with outside counsel on litigation. Prior to this, she has been Chief of General Prosecutions for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from 2014 to 2016; Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Safety and Security Officer for the Chicago Transit Authority from 2009 to 2014; and an assistant state’s attorney from 2001 to 2009. She is a member of various bar associations, has spoken on legal topics and is on the executive board of Casa Central.

While attorneys reported that she has good legal knowledge in her area and is prepared, with a good demeanor, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience and her minimal jury and complex trial experience. ISBA finds Ms. Araceli Reyes De La Cruz not 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: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: 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
Cong. Danny Davis
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Democratic Citizens of Berwyn
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Personal PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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