An 11th hour countywide vacancy opened up this week as Judge John P. Callahan, Jr. announced his retirement in time for the vacancy to be posted during the special judicial filing period.
Callahan's vacancy opens a path for Judge Tracie R. Porter, who was appointed by the Supreme Court to fill the countywide Hyman vacancy, to remain on the bench.
Porter was not slated for any existing vacancy when the Cook County Democratic Party announced its judicial endorsements, but she was named first alternate, effectively 'pre-slated' if a new vacancy were to open up. Now one has, and at the last possible moment.
Porter, and any persons challenging her for this vacancy, face the daunting task of collecting, assembling, and filing their nominating petitions between March 28 and April 4.
The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Callahan to a countywide vacancy in 2009. He was slated for a countywide vacancy by the Cook County Democratic Party within a week. Elected in 2010, Callahan was retained in 2016. He would have been up for retention this year. According to the Circuit Court's website, Callahan has been serving as a trial judge in the Law Division.
I tried a case in front of Callahan in December 2018. Wonderful trial judge. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent trial judge. Great human being too.
DeleteI actually LOST a 2-615 or 2-619 motion in front of him in a defamation case and thought he did the right thing.
ReplyDelete