Organizing the Data: Countywide O'Brien vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022
Updated June 21, 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.

Araceli R. De La Cruz - #182

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement

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:

The Hon. Araceli Reyes De La Cruz was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in January 2022. Before becoming a judge, she had been the General Counsel/Chief Administrative Officer for Arcero Schools, a larger Chicago charter school network. There, she handled 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).

As a lawyer, Judge De La Cruz was considered to have very good legal ability with substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters. She is reported to be always 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. 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.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Qualified

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

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
Chicago Federation of Labor
Indo-American Democratic Organization
United Hellenic Voters of America
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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Jacqueline Marie Griffin - #183

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Jacqueline Marie Griffin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney her entire career. Ms. Griffin is currently a trial attorney in the Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Unit in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Griffin has extensive criminal and civil trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, fairness, and fine demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Jacqueline M. Griffin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2005. Since that time, she has been an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, She is currently assigned to the Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Unit of the Felony Trial Division. Since 2007, she has also been a Solo Practitioner with a focus on wills and real estate transactions.

Ms. Griffin is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters, The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

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.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: 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: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement

Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7

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Dan Balanoff - #184

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Dan Balanoff 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:

Daniel C. Balanoff was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. Since then, he has practiced at this own firm -- a general practice with a focus on trusts and estates and probate, residential and real estate law, and consumer bankruptcy.

Mr. Balanoff is praised for his legal ability and for always being prepared. He is reported to have a good demeanor. He has had few trials, but has had an active motion practice. The Council is concerned that he has not had substantial litigation experience in complex matters. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

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.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Endorsements

IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide

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