For candidates participating in the evaluation process, the ISBA issues one of three ratings: "Highly Qualified", "Qualified", or "Not Qualified". Candidates who fail or refuse to participate in the evaluation are automatically rated "Not Recommended."
The ISBA says that its ratings "reflect the [Judicial Evaulation] Committee's opinion of whether candidates have the necessary qualifications for judicial service or ascension to a higher office and are not a reflection of the candidates' abilities as lawyers or judges."
Brennan Vacancy
Howard B. Brookins, Jr. -- Qualified
Howard B. Brookins, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. After spending two years as an assistant public defender and an assistant state’s attorney, he formed Brookins and Wilson. Since 2008 he has been a sole practitioner, handling mainly criminal defense. He has represented the 21st Ward in the Chicago City Council since 2003, and currently chairs the Committee on Transportation and the Public Way. He is a member of several bar associations. The vast majority of attorneys contacted during the investigation relayed that he is knowledgeable and thorough with good legal knowledge and a reputation for fairness. He has jury trial experience, both criminal and civil, and many bench trials, mostly criminal.
The Committee finds Howard B. Brooks, Jr. qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Ubi O. O’Neal -- Not Recommended
Mr. Ubi O’Neal declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Ubi O’Neal is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Lisa Michelle Taylor – Qualified
Lisa Taylor has been licensed since 2001. In 2017 she joined Schwartz Gilligan where she focuses on general tort defense and insurance coverage litigation, with some probate practice. Prior to joining her current firm, she had worked at various other firms with civil defense practices. She is a member of several bar associations, has been a speaker on legal topics, mentored law students, and served on the City of Chicago’s Board of Ethics from 2009 until 2012.
In 2014 she was given the Cook County Special Advocate Volunteer Spirit Award. She has litigation experience in civil jury and bench trials. Attorneys praised her legal ability, thoroughness, professionalism, and work ethic.
The Committee finds Lisa Michelle Taylor qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Callahan, Jr. Vacancy
Mary Bernadette McMahon -- Qualified
Mary Bernadette McMahon has been licensed since 2005. She is a career prosecutor currently serving as Supervisor of the Second Municipal District (Skokie), after previously serving as Deputy Supervisor of the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows), Felony Trial, and other units. She is a member of various bar associations and is on the Misericordia Women’s Board. She is reported to have considerable legal knowledge and ability, and to be prepared and ready.
She has a substantial number of criminal jury trials, including in complex matters. While a few attorneys contacted felt she could be inflexible at time, the majority described her has professional and above-board.
The Committee finds Mary Bernadette McMahon qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Suzanne Therese McEneely -- Qualified
Suzanne Therese McEneely has been licensed since 2001. After spending a year with a private insurance defense firm, she joined the Public Defender’s Office. She currently handles felony cases in the Second District (Skokie), including specialty and diversion courtrooms after previous assignments in Child Protection, Traffic, Domestic Violence, and First Municipal. She is a member of some bar associations and volunteers at her parish.
She has criminal jury and bench trial experience, and her work is respected by other attorneys. Comments received during the investigation were overwhelmingly positive as to her legal knowledge, diligence, ability to handle complex matters, sensitivity to diversity, and her temperament.
The Committee finds Suzanne Therese McEneely qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Tracie Porter -- Qualified (evaluation issued before Porter's appointment to the bench - Ed.)
Tracie Porter has been licensed since 1994. She currently practices with Tracie Porter PC handling residential and commercial real estate matters, and probate, corporate and securities mattes. At various time she has worked with law firms and had her own practice and spent the first four years of her legal career with the U.S. Department of Labor as a Labor Litigation attorney. She has taught and lectured at various law schools and has been a committee member with various bar associations. She is Chairman of the Board and a Founder of the Alexander Family Foundation.
She has experience in both state and federal courts, and reports having tried several civil jury trials, as well as bench trials and motions. Lawyers contacted described her as possessing exceptional legal knowledge and ability, with integrity that is beyond reproach. They say she is professional, diligent, organized, and prepared, with an excellent temperament.
The Committee finds Tracie Porter qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Cannon Vacancy
Diana López - Qualified
Diana López has been licensed since 2001. She was selected as an associate judge in 2021 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she had practiced with Lopez Law Group and other firms, handling mainly domestic and family law matters. She also served for three years as an assistant state’s attorney before entering private practice. She has taught as an adjunct professor at DePaul and served as Vice-Chair of the Schiller DuCanto and Fleck Family Law Center there as well. She is a board members of Greenlight Family Services and has served on bar association committees.
She is considered to have excellent legal knowledge, and to be organized, knowledgeable, and balanced. Before being appointed to the bench, she had tried a considerable number of civil bench trials.
The Committee find Diana López qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Monica G. Somerville -- Not Qualified
Monica Somerville has been licensed since 1990. She has been employed by the City of Chicago since 2013 in various positions; in 2021 she was appointed Deputy Director of Citation Administration. Prior to joining the City she had worked for the United States Postal Service in its Law Department; as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security; as Litigation Counsel for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; and as an assistant corporation counsel. She is a member of various bar associations and has been active as committee member/chair and speaker, including with mentoring through the Chicago Bar Association.
She does have some jury trial experience, though none since 2000. Attorneys reported that she is competent, professional and diligent. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience and the lack of recent trial experience.
The Committee finds Monica Somerville not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Mable Taylor -- Not Qualified
Mable Taylor has been admitted to the Illinois bar since 1994. She has a general practice in a wide variety of areas with the Law Office of Mable Taylor. She has also been an arbitrator for Cook County for twenty-five years. She is a member of various bar associations, has taught at the college level, has done pro bono work and has been active with various west side community organizations.
While attorneys praised her commitment to minority women’s rights, they were split on her legal ability; some stated she had good legal knowledge, while others reported that she would zealously advocate positions that were legally incorrect and did not follow the law or proper court procedures. In addition, concerns were raised that while she reported having bench trial experience, most were from earlier in her career; she reported very limited jury trial experience, again none recently. Concerns about her diligence, as evidenced by numerous errors and omissions in her questionnaire and inadequately addressing those omissions in the interview.
The Committee finds Mable Taylor not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Hyman Vacancy
Thomas E. Nowinski -- Qualified
Thomas E. Nowinski has been licensed since 2004. Since December 2020 he has been Chief of Staff to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Prior to that, he held various other government positions, including as Labor Counsel to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Legal Counsel to the Assessor, Deputy Director of Labor Relations for the Cook County Board; he also served as an assistant state’s attorney for several years, and was Deputy Supervisor of Torts and Federal Civil Rights Litigation Unit of the Civil Actions Bureau. He is currently the Treasurer of the Advocates Society and a committee member.
The Committee finds Thomas E. Nowinski qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Carmen Migdalia Quinones -- Not Qualified
Carmen Quinones was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She is a solo practitioner with a focus on domestic relations and family law. She has worked as a child representative in domestic relations matters. She is a member of several bar associations and is involved with the Chicago Bar Association mentoring program. She has received several awards for her pro bono work and work as a child representative, included from the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation, the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and the Chicago Bar Association.
While attorneys report that she is a well-respected child representative who knows domestic relations law and has experience in pre-trial litigation, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her experience and her lack of jury or bench trial experience.
The Committee finds Carmen Quinones not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Ingram Vacancy
Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan -- Qualified
Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan has been licensed since 2004. Since 2011 she has been a solo practitioner handling mainly personal injury matters. Earlier in her career, she spent two years as a law clerk in Chancery followed by three years in a law firm. She is a member of various bar associations and has been a guest lecturer at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Ms. Ryan reports that she has tried eight civil jury trials. She received overall positive comments for her legal knowledge and ability; a few questioned the extent of her experience in complex matters. She is considered to be very professional, diligent and punctual, with a good temperament and high ethical standards.
The Committee finds Elizabeth Ryan qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Yolanda Harris Sayre -- Not Qualified
Yolanda Harris Sayre has been licensed in Illinois since 1995. She currently serves as Legal Counsel for the Illinois State Police. Prior to taking that position, since 1997 she was employed by the Chicago Police Department as a trainer of Community Policing and Diversity and as an attorney assigned to the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform. Before that, she had worked in a general law practice focusing on civil matters. She has also worked as a Hearing Officer for the Secretary of State and for the Chicago and Cook County Boards of Election. She is an executive board member of the Illinois Association of Administrative Law Judges, is a member of several bar associations, and has served on committees, been a speaker on legal topics, and done some pro bono work.
While most attorneys consider her to be impartial with an excellent temperament and good legal knowledge, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience and her very limited jury trial experience.
The Committee finds Yolanda Harris Sayre not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Leeming Vacancy
Rena Marie Van Tine -- Highly Qualified
Rena Marie Van Tine was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in February 2021 after serving as an associate judge since 2001. She is currently assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section, after a previous assignment in Child Protection.
Prior to ascending to the bench, she had served as an assistant state’s attorney and as Special Counsel to the State Comptroller. She is a past president of the Asian American Bar Association and on the Board of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and has been active with other bar associations. In 2021 she received the Mary Heftel Hooton award from the WBAI and in 2019 received the Sandra Otaka Leadership Award from the AABA. She also teaches as judicial conferences. Lawyers report that she knows the law and how to apply it, and issues thoughtful rulings. She is considered to be fair and impartial, with high character.
The Committee finds Rena Marie Van Tine highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Wende Williams -- Not Recommended Wende Williams (FKA: Wendelin DeLoach) declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines Wende Williams is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Lynch Vacancy
Deidre Baumann -- Not Qualified
Deidre Baumann has been licensed since 1992. After first working for a law firm, in 1996 she opened her own firm, Baumann and Shuldiner, handling civil litigation in state and federal court. She is active with various bar associations and is currently president of the Suburban Bar Coalition and on the board of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. Previously, she served as president of the Decalogue Society and the North Suburban Bar Association as well as on the executive board of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. She serves on several committees for the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
While attorneys report that she is professional with good writing skills, concerns were raised over a lack of punctuality and diligence at times.
The Committee finds Deidre Baumann not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Paul Joyce -- Qualified
Paul Joyce has been licensed since 1991. Aside from seven years with a private firm when first licensed, he is a career prosecutor currently assigned to the Second District (Skokie) as a First Chair. Prior assignments include Felony Trial, Felony Review and Juvenile Justice.
He has substantial criminal trial experience, handling thirty jury trials and many bench trials and motions. Attorneys consider him to be very knowledgeable and sharp, always ready to research when necessary. He is said to fair, impartial and professional.
The Committee finds Paul Joyce qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Michael Weaver -- Qualified
Michael Weaver has been licensed since 2006. He has been with McDermott Will handling commercial litigation since 2007, as a partner since 2013, and is currently the Pro Bono Litigation Partner. Prior to joining the firm, he spent a year in American Samoa as a law clerk. He is a former Board president of the Family Defense Center NKA Ascent Justice. Has been a speaker on legal topics and is a member of various bar associations. He was named to the inaugural list of Crain’s Chicago Business Notable LGBTQ Executives in 2018.
He has both civil and criminal jury and bench experience, has handled appeals, and litigated other motions and restraining orders in both federal and state courts. He is regarded by fellow attorneys as possessing exceptions legal skills, and being very inclusive and even-keeled, with high integrity.
The Committee finds Michael Weaver qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
McGury Vacancy
Ruth Isabel Gudino -- Qualified
Ruth Isabel Gudino was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. In 2021 she was appointed to the circuit court and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she was the Supervisor of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau for the State’s Attorney’s Office in the Fourth District (Maywood), where she had also been Deputy Supervisor. She had been with the SAO since 2001; prior to that she worked for the Cook County Public Guardian and the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plan, as well as another stint as an assistant state’s attorney.
She has taught law classes, and is a member of various bar associations, having served on committees with several of them. She has substantial criminal jury and bench experience. Attorneys report that she is an excellent attorney with good litigation skills, professional, and a hard worker.
The committee finds Ruth Isabel Gudino qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Chelsey R. Robinson -- Not Qualified
Chelsey R. Robinson has been licensed since 1996. She is a founding partner of Owens & Robinson, a general practice handling both criminal and civil matters. She is also a legal consultant to the Judge Mathis television program. She is a member of some bar associations, a volunteer at the Juvenile Detention Center and is active with other community organizations. She has limited jury and bench trial activities and limited experience with complex matters.
While she is considered to be ethical and honest, attorneys gave mixed comments as to the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience.
The Committee finds Chelsey R. Robinson not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
O'Brien Vacancy
Araceli Reyes De La Cruz -- Qualified
Araceli Reyes De La Cruz was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. In January 2022 she was appointed to the circuit court where she is currently assigned to Traffic Court. Prior to her appointment, 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.
She has some jury, bench and quasi-trial experience. Attorneys praised her legal knowledge and ability, her diligence and her even keeled temperament.
The Committee finds Araceli Reyes De La Cruz qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Jacqueline Marie Griffin -- Qualified
Jacqueline Marie Griffin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. She is a career assistant state’s attorney, currently assigned to the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit after previous assignments in Juvenile Justice and Child Support. She has lectured students through the Lawyers in the Classroom program.
She has jury and bench trial experience and has handled complex matters. Attorneys report that she is diligent, punctual, respectful, and has good character and integrity.
The Committee finds Jacqueline Marie Griffin qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Dan Balanoff -- Not Qualified Dan Balanoff has been licensed since 2007. He is a practitioner with Balanoff and Associates, a general practice focusing on estate planning, probate, real estate, bankruptcy, and personal injury. He is a member of the Decalogue Society and was a member of the Lincoln Park High School Local School Council from 2010 to 2012.
While attorneys reported that he is professional, diligent, prepared, and knowledgeable in his practice areas, he has no jury trial and very limited bench trial experience. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his overall legal experience as well.
The Committee finds Dan Balanoff not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Sullivan Vacancy
Thomas More Donnelly -- Highly Qualified Thomas More Donnelly has been licensed since 1986. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2021 after serving as an associate judge since 2003; he also served a brief time as an appointed circuit court judge in 2000. He has been assigned to the Law Division – Jury Section since 2017. His prior assignment include First Municipal, Civil Jury Trials, Misdemeanor Jury Call, and Supplementary Proceedings and Miscellaneous Remedies; Domestic Violence; and Traffic Division. Prior to becoming a judge, he had been an assistant public defender and a law clerk at the appellate level for the Hon. Mary Ann McMorrow. He has served on the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee for thirty years, taught trial advocacy, written and taught classes on legal ethics. He currently serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College. In 2018 he received the Harold Sullivan Award from the Illinois Judges Association, and in 2019 was given the Impact Award from the Center for Disability and Elder Law. He is a past president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and has served as a Board member of the Illinois Judges Association.
Attorneys contacted reported that he knows the law, is thorough, and has a great grasp of evidentiary issues and that his written opinions are excellent. He has a reputation as a person of great integrity who listens, is always prepared, and treats all with respect.
The Committee finds Thomas More Donnelly highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Claudia Silva-Hernandez -- Not Recommended Claudia Silva-Hernandez declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Claudia Silva-Hernandez is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Meridth Vanae Hammer -- Not Recommended Meridth Vanae Hammer declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Meridth Vanae Hammer is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
"highly" & "well" qualified/recommended sound like endorsements
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