Organizing the Data: Countywide Hyman vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. This post may be updated before the primary as new information becomes available.

Thomas E. Nowinski - #171

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Thomas Nowinski is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Nowinski was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and is currently serving as Supervisor of the Litigation Unit of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Nowinski has substantial court and trial experience and is well regarded for his integrity, knowledge of the law, and legal experience.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Thomas Edward Nowinski was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2004. He is currently Chief of Staff for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, Iris Martinez. He has worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he was the deputy supervisor of the Torts and Litigation Civil Rights Litigation Unit of the Civil Actions Bureau. He previously served as deputy director of labor relations in the Office of the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2012-2014); and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Civil Actions Bureau (2008-2012) and the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau (2004-2008) of the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. Mr. Nowinski is a well-regarded attorney who is reported to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in a variety of areas including civil rights, torts, wrongful death, and class action matters. He is reported to have good trial skills and a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

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.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of 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 Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Indo-American Democratic Organization
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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Carmen Migdalia Quinones - #172

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Carmen Migdalia Quinones is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinones was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989. She is a solo practitioner with a focus primarily in domestic relations matters. Ms. Quinones is an experienced lawyer with strong empathy for her domestic relations clients and useful background in psychology. She is well regarded by judges whom she has appeared before and opposing counsel for her calm demeanor, fine temperament, and legal experience.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Carmen Quinones was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. She is a sole practitioner. Much of her current practice is as a child representative appointed by Circuit Judges.

Ms. Quinones is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for the way she treats the children she represents as a child representative. The Council is concerned, however, with numerous reports about her diligence. Lawyers too often report that she does not do her job in a timely way within the litigation process. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

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.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Endorsement

"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide

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