Across the street from the Daley Center: June 1 meet and greet for 3rd District Appellate Court Justice Lance Peterson

I wonder if, as a consequence of the new statewide judicial maps, we will likely see more of this....

Whatever... on Thursday, June 1, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., supporters of Justice Lance Peterson's bid to keep his seat on the Third District Appellate Court will hold a meet and greet/fundraiser for their candidate at Petterino's, 150 N. Dearborn Street, right across from the Daley Center (indeed, guests will be asked to use the banquet hall entrace at 50 W. Randolph).

Justice Peterson was appointed to the Appellate Court last summer. The Supreme Court's press release about the appointment noted that Peterson had served as a Circuit Court Judge in Grundy County since his 2010 election. He was an associate judge in Grundy County from 2001 to 2010. Before that, Peterson served Grundy County State's Attorney from 1996 to 2001. Early in his legal career Peterson was a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann McMorrow and for Justice Tobias Barry of the Third District Appellate Court.

Bob Cooney, Jr., retired Judge Rob Marsaglia (former Chief Judge of Grundy County), and Howard Ankin are the hosts for this event, which specifies no minimum donation. Reservations are, of course, required (email robmarsaglia@gmail.com to secure a spot).

Howard Ankin's cover letter states that, "[i]f candidates of the caliber of Justice Peterson are to be elected, campaign expenses must be incurred or met," leaving it to the invitee to determine how large a check to write.

This is what is known as a "soft sell" technique. Of course, it's still early in this election cycle. Clever-sounding sponsorship levels will probably come later.

FWIW readers who are contemplating Cook County judicial bids will have only one question about this event: Will showing up here help me get slated? Short, truthful answer: If I knew how to get slated, I'd have done it myself, decades ago. But I would not expect there to be much opportunity, if any, to buttonhole Cook County Democratic Party committeepersons at this event. Organizers tout 3rd District Appellate Court Justices Linda E. Davenport and Joseph P. Hettel as special guests for this occasion, not Cook County Democratic Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle. On the other hand, there should be many prominent Chicago lawyers in attendance, all with disposable income, that may someday be contacted in support of your own campaigns. And some prominent Chicago lawyers have significant influence with local Democratic party figures. So you never really know....