Pablo F. deCastro: In his own words

Pablo F. deCastro is a candidate for the countywide Flannery, Jr. vacancy. His punch number is 141.

Hello, My name is Pablo deCastro.

I am running for judge in a county-wide vacancy (The vacancy of James P. Flannery). I would like to thank Jack Leyhane for the opportunity to tell voters a little bit about myself, and I would like to thank any voters who are taking the time to read this.

I am the Democratic Party-endorsed candidate in my race. I have been found qualified or recommended by all bar associations (15 in total, since the Advocate Society joined in this year). I am endorsed by the CFL, Personal-Pac, Am-Vote-Pac, IVO/IPO, Girl I Guess and several independent democratic organizations including 22nd ward, 28th Ward, 47th Ward, 40th Ward, Evanston, Proviso, New Trier, Thornton, Rich, Bloom and others. I have been all over the county gaining support wherever I go, and I hope to gain your support too. Thanks for reading.

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago and the Tulane University School of Law. I have been a trial attorney in Chicago for 29 years, litigating at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts. I began my career with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, where I handled all kinds of criminal cases, defending the city’s most vulnerable communities. I left the public defender’s office in order to broaden my experience. In small firms I expanded my criminal defense experience into federal and appellate work and also handled civil cases involving injuries and small business corporate litigation. Since 2012 I have been in solo practice focused on public defender work through the federal public defender’s panel attorney program as well as civil litigation primarily through volunteer programs run by the Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights.

I have handled cases in 12 different counties in Illinois as well as federal trial courts in seven other states and appeals in Illinois state courts, three federal appellate circuit courts and the United States Supreme Court, where I have been admitted to practice since 2001. My experience includes complex cases such as RICO prosecutions, international extradition issues, extended jury trials in state and federal court, complex appeals and post-conviction petitions. I have handled jury trials and appeals in both civil and criminal matters over 29 years of active litigation practice. This broad experience earned me the distinction of being named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and a position as an instructor in Trial Practice at the University of Chicago Law School.

My work has always been inspired by my parents, who came to this country from Cuba when they were only 18 and 21 years old. They worked hard to put themselves through school, and also reached back to help others. They instilled in me the values of hard work, and the importance of education, but also the importance of service to others. My mother became a lawyer when I was young. She told me that lawyers help people. It has always been my understanding that the practice of law is and should be about service to the community. I have focused on work that I believe helps the most vulnerable. Criminal defense, particularly for indigent clients, puts me on the front line defending due process and individual rights. Although I defend people in connection with terrible crimes, (As has been noted by Injustice Watch, this list includes one defendant charged in connection with the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capital, a case for which I was appointed as a federal public defender.) In these representations I am not defending the crime itself. I am defending the Constitutional framework of equal rights and due process. In court the judge is there to guarantee fairness and due process. My career fighting for the same fairness has prepared me well for a new role on the bench. I look forward to a career as a judge, where I can continue my service to individual rights, equal access to the courts, and due process for everyone.

BWLA Judicial Reception Monday, March 4

The Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago will hold its 2024 Judicial Reception Celebration, entitled "Raising the Bar: A Celebration of Black Excellence in the Federal Judiciary," on Monday, March 4, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Chicago office of Jones Day, 110 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 4800.

Honorees at next Monday's event are Judge Doris Preyer, of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. Dist. Judges LaShonda A. Hunt and Lindsay C. Jenkins of the Northern District of Illinois; and U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeannice W. Appenteng, also of the Northern District.

BWLA members can purchase tickets for this event for $75; the price for non-members is $100 per ticket. All judges will be admitted for free. But all attendees must register for this event. To purchase tickets or register, use this Ticket Falcon link.

Chicago Council of Lawyers publishes evaluations of Cook County judicial candidates running in contested subcircuit primary races

Updated 3/1/24 with corrected links and other information provided by the Council

Actually, the Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of all candidates seeking judicial offices in the March primaries. In this post, however, we focus only on the Council's narrative explanations of the ratings it has issued to Circuit Court candidates in contested subcircuit primaries.

This year the Council is issuing only three ratings, "Well Qualified", "Qualified", or "Not Qualified." In past election cycles, the Council has sometimes also issued a "Highly Qualified" rating, but not this year. Also, in accordance with Alliance policy, if "a candidate refuses to submit his or her credentials to the Council, that candidate is rated 'not recommended' unless the Council is aware of credible information that would justify a 'not qualified' rating." For more about how the CCL evaluates judicial hopefuls and the ratings that it issues, consult the first three and a half pages of its March 2024 Primary Judicial Evaluation Report.

The Council has also issued brief narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates who have no opponent in the upcoming primary. These are also found in the March 2024 Primary Judicial Evauluation Report.

Circuit Court - Subcircuits

3rd Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. Janet Brosnahan

Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez -- Not Qualified
Lucesther “Lucy” Vazquez was admitted to practice in 2009. She worked as an associate in a small firm handling family law cases from 2009 to 2017. She became a solo practitioner in 2017 where she handles family law, probate, immigration, and mediation matters. Most of her courtroom work is as a guardian ad litem. She has served as an administrative law judge from 2020 to the present handling non-complex City of Chicago building code violations. She is reported to be knowledgeable in her fields of practice and she is reported to have a good temperament. However, the Council is concerned that there have been reports questioning her punctuality and diligence --noting that she sometimes fails to meet court deadlines and return communications to other lawyers. We are also concerned about her lack of litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Martin Douglas Reggi -- Qualified
Martin Reggi was admitted to practice in 1980. He served from 1980 to 1985 as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He has been a sole practitioner since 1985 with a litigation practice spanning a variety of civil and criminal matters.

Mr. Reggi is considered to have good legal ability with substantial litigation experience, much of which involving more complex matters. He is praised for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

7th Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. Irwin J. Solganick

Hon. Owens J. Shelby -- Qualified
Judge Owens J. Shelby was admitted to practice in 2007. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2023. Before taking the bench he had been a career Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney working as a second chair prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. He did serve for less than a year as the Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, and as a contract attorney with Loevy & Loevy in 2007 to 2008.

Judge Shelby is considered to have good legal ability with a very good temperament. He is praised for his diligence. As a practitioner, most lawyers praise his abilities although a few say he lacked adequate experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Deidre Baumann -- Qualified
Deidre Baumann was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1992. Since 2011, she has been Owner of Baumann & Shuldiner, where she focuses on litigation of civil rights, employment discrimination, personal injury, and criminal defense at the state, federal, and appellate level. Previously, she was a Partner at Baumann & Shuldiner (2004-2011) and Baumann, Shuldiner & Lee (2001- 2004), a Solo Practitioner (1996-2001), and an Associate at Michael Null & Associates (1993-1996). She is a member of a number of bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association (Racial Justice Coalition, 2020-2021), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (Board Member, 2017-present), the Illinois State Bar Association (Chair, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee), and the North Suburban Bar Association (President, 2005-2006).

Ms. Baumann is considered to have good legal ability. She has substantial litigation experience and is praised for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

10th Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. Gregory J. Wajkowski

James V. Murphy -- Qualified
James Vincent Murphy III was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997. Between 1998 and 2022, he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. He left the State’s Attorney’s Office in 2022. In that Office, he was most recently the Supervisor of the Preliminary Hearings/Grand Jury/Central Bond Court/Branch 66 Homicide and Sex Unit. Previously, he worked in the Felony Review Unit and in Child Support Enforcement, Juvenile Abuse and Neglect, Juvenile Delinquency, and Preliminary Hearings. From 1997 to 1998 he was a Legislative Aide to the City of Chicago’s Committee on Zoning. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association.

Mr. Murphy is considered to have good legal ability. He has extensive litigation experience as a prosecutor. He is praised for his temperament. The Council notes that he was reinstated after initially put on administrative leave for his actions in the bond hearing in the Adam Toledo case. This situation must be contrasted against a career in which the candidate has established himself as a well-respected practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Liam Kelly -- Qualified
Liam Kelly was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2011. He recently took a position with the Office of the Illinois State Appellate Defender. Previously, he worked as an associate attorney for Robert Louis Rascia in criminal defense where he worked since 2019 (and from 2014-2018). Additionally, he has been an associate attorney for Greenberg and Associates (2018-2019), an associate attorney for Villalobos and Associates (2014), an associate attorney for The Rooth Law Firm (2013-2014), and an associate attorney for the Law Offices of Donald J. Angelini Jr. (2011-2013).

Liam Kelly is considered to have substantial experience in criminal defense matters and is praised for his temperament. He has considerable litigation experience and is praised for his litigation skills. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

11th Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. Paula M. Daleo

Kim Przekota -- Qualified
Kimberly Przekota was admitted to practice in 2008 and is a career Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She is a First Chair prosecutor in the Criminal Division. She is praised for her legal ability and knowledge. She is reported to have a good temperament and trial skills. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Audrey Victoria Cosgrove -- Qualified
Audrey Victoria Cosgrove was admitted to practice in 1990. She serves as the Deputy General Counsel of the Department of the Illinois Lottery. From 1990 to 1998 she served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. She then became a solo practitioner until 2017 at which time she for one year served as Assistant General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking. From 2018-2019 she was Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Labor. She has also served as an administrative law judge for most of her career. She has substantial litigation experience. She is considered to have good legal ability and is active in community activities. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

14th Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. James N. O'Hara

Griselda Vega Samuel -- Qualified
Griselda Vega Samuel was admitted to practice in the state of Washington in 2001 and in Illinois in 2008. Since 2018, she has served as regional counsel, Midwest at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She does impact litigation in state and federal courts, as well as legislative policy advocacy. From 2001-2004 and from 2007-2008, Ms. Vega Samuel served as a staff attorney at Columbia Legal Services in Yakima, Washington, from 2005-2006, she was employed at Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (now Legal Aid Chicago) doing family law, housing, and consumer law. From 2008-2013, she was a Senior Attorney and Legal Director at the Justice in Motion in Brooklyn, New York. From 2013 to 2018 she was employed by Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program.

Ms. Vega Samuel is considered to have good legal ability and is well respected in the legal and social justice communities. She has substantial litigation experience in civil court matters, including both individual representation and in impact litigation. She is praised for her temperament both as a practitioner and as a supervisor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Steve Demitro -- Qualified
Steve Demitro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. Since that time, he has been a Solo Practitioner. His practice is concentrated on torts (personal injury), but he also handles some criminal law, domestic relations, real estate, probate, and chancery matters.

Mr. Demitro is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament. He is very active in community affairs. He has had substantial litigation experience, particularly in recent years. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

15th Subcircuit - Vacancy of the Hon. Anna Helen Demacopoulos

Paul O’Grady -- Qualified
Paul O’Grady was admitted to practice in 2000. He is currently the managing partner at a private law firm overseeing attorneys doing litigation. He also serves as Counsel for the Village of Tinley Park. He has also served a partner at Querrey & Harrow, Ltd, and before that was an Assistant General Counsel, General Counsel, and Chief of Staff for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. He started his career as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney.

Mr. O’Grady has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He is considered to have good legal ability and a good demeanor. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Luciano "Lou" Panici, Jr. -- Qualified
Luciano Panici, Jr. was admitted to practice in 2009 and has worked in a small law firm throughout his career doing municipal representation, civil defense of municipal clients, election law, criminal defense, and real estate. He is currently an Administrative Hearing Officer for five municipalities and is the village prosecutor for two municipalities. He has substantial litigation experience. He is reported to have good legal ability and temperament and is praised for his knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Allen Walker -- Qualified
Judge Allen Walker was admitted to practice in 1987. He is currently serving as an Associate Judge and has been on the bench since 2012. He is currently assigned to the Chancery Division and has been there since 2020. He served in the Law Division between 2017 and 2020 and heard mortgage foreclosure cases from 2012 to 2017. He previously was a partner at Greene and Letts, where he focused on representing and advising individuals, for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, and municipal entities in litigation and transactional matters. He has been active as a teacher at the UIC law school in Chicago and at the Illinois Judicial Education Conference.

Judge Walker is praised for his grasp of legal issues and for his court management. He is reported to be well prepared and is fair to all parties before him. He is reported to have good judicial temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

18th Subcircuit - Converted from Associate Judgeship of Lauren Gottainer Edidin

Hon. Jeffery G. Chrones -- Qualified
Judge Jeffery George Chrones currently sits in the Second Municipal District in Skokie. He presides over traffic, misdemeanor, domestic violence, and municipal cases in the areas of commercial litigation, collections, evictions, and small claims. He also conducts emergency hearings for request for mental health writs. He was elected by the Circuit Judges to be an Associate Judge in 2018 and served in the First Municipal District at the Daley Center between 2018 and 2021 where he presided over traffic and misdemeanor cases. Between 2003 and 2018, Judge Chrones was an attorney and partner with Johnson and Bell, Ltd., where he focused on commercial litigation matters. Between 1995 and 2003, he served as an Assistant Cook County States Attorney. From 1993 to 1995 he served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General.

Judge Chrones, before becoming a judge, had substantial litigation experience in civil litigation matters. He was a well respected practitioner. Judge Chrones receives high marks on legal ability He is reported by all the respondents to be well prepared for hearings and trials. He is praised for his grasp of evidentiary and procedure issues. He is reported generally to be thoughtful and thorough in his rulings and many respondents used the word “decisive” to describe him. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Sunil Bhave -- Qualified
Judge Sunil Bhave became a lawyer in 2004 and started his career with the Missouri Public Defender’s Office. He spent most of his career as an Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. He served as a trial lawyer in both state and federal courts. He became an Associate Judge in 2023.

Judge Bhave is considered to have good legal ability and was a well respected practitioner before becoming a judge. He is reported to be well prepared and is praised for showing patience toward the persons appearing before him, while moving cases in a timely manner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

19th Subcircuit - Converted from Associate Judgeship of Robert E. Senechalle, Jr.

Risa Renee Lanier -- Qualified
Risa Lanier was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1999. She has spent her entire career in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where she has been a First Assistant State’s Attorney since 2021. She is a member of various bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association where she has served as Chair of the Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Risa Lanier is considered to have good legal ability. While some lawyers say that her temperament can be problematic on occasion, most lawyers praise her temperament, her law practice standards, and her litigation skills. The Council finds her to be Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Dave Heilmann -- Qualified
David M. Heilmann was admitted to practice in 1987. Since then, he has worked at Clausen Miller P.C. where he is now an equity partner. Mr. Heilmann also practices civil defense work in the areas of toxic tort, employment, and construction litigation.

Mr. Heilmann is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He is reported to be a solid practitioner who is praised for his litigation skills and for being well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Bridget Colleen Duignan -- Qualified Bridget Duignan was admitted to practice in 2004. She is currently a partner in a firm, specializing personal injury and malpractice litigation. She is a former employee of the Illinois House of Representatives, as well as a former lawyer with several firms handling workers compensation and employment matters. She has authored articles in ISBA section publications.

Bridget Duignan is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. She is praised both for her litigation skills and for her systemic reform work with the Illinois legislature. She is reported to have very good temperament – focused and calm while in the midst of heated litigation. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

20th Subcircuit - Converted from Associate Judgeship of Elizabeth M. Budzinski

Nickolas Pappas -- Qualified
Nickolas George Pappas was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1995. Since 2007, he has been President of Pappas Law Offices, P.C., a general legal practice where he handles criminal defense, civil litigation (municipal, law, chancery), administrative appeals and hearings, and other matters. He has also served as General Counsel to the Lakeland Healthcare Group, LLC (2012-2015) and as an Associate Attorney at Querrey & Harrow, Ltd. (2004-2007), a general litigation firm. From 2011-2012 and from 1996-2004, he worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, first as an Assistant State’s Attorney where his assignments included First Municipal District, Fifth Municipal District, Felony Review, and the Felony Trial Division, and later as a Special State’s Attorney representing the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. From 2008 to 2019, he provided pro bono legal services for refugee immigrant clients of Refugee One, a social service agency. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Mr. Pappas is considered to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience and is praised for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

John Poulos -- Not Recommended John Poulos did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Michael J. Zink -- Qualified
Michael Zink was admitted to practice in 2004. Since passing the bar, he has worked for a private law firm focusing on litigation matters in landlord-tenant, condominium, real estate, and bankruptcy maters. He has substantial litigation experience.

Michael Zink is considered to have good legal ability and knowledge. He is praised for his professionalism and for his work with the community. He is reported to have good litigation skills and has a calm demeanor. Mr. Zink is a well respected practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Nadine Jean Wichern -- Qualified
Nadine Jean Wichern was admitted to practice in 2000. Since 2015, she has served as the Chief of the Civil Appeals Division of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. She began her career at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and then from 2006 to 2011 she did appeals work in the Chicago Department of Law. She is considered to have very good legal ability, and is a well respected appellate lawyer. While she does not have direct trial experience, she advises trial lawyers in her office on issues which arise during trial, as well as other litigation issues. She is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Chicago Council of Lawyers publishes evaluations of Cook County Circuit Court candidates in contested, countywide primary races

Updated 3/1/24 with updated links and other information provided by the Council

Actually, the Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of all candidates seeking judicial offices in the March primaries. In this post, however, we focus only on the Council's narrative explanations of the ratings it has issued to countywide Circuit Court candidates in contested primaries.

This year the Council is issuing only three ratings, "Well Qualified", "Qualified", or "Not Qualified." In past election cycles, the Council has sometimes also issued a "Highly Qualified" rating, but not this year. Also, in accordance with Alliance policy, if "a candidate refuses to submit his or her credentials to the Council, that candidate is rated 'not recommended' unless the Council is aware of credible information that would justify a 'not qualified' rating." For more about how the CCL evaluates judicial hopefuls and the ratings that it issues, consult the first three and a half pages of its March 2024 Primary Judicial Evaluation Report.

The Council has also issued brief narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates who have no opponent in the upcoming primary. These are also found in the March 2024 Primary Judicial Evauluation Report.

Circuit Court - Countywide

Vacancy of the Hon. James P. Flannery, Jr.

Pablo F. deCastro -- Qualified
Pablo F. deCastro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. Since 2012, he has been a solo practitioner in the Law offices of Pablo deCastro, where he focuses on criminal defense. He also handled criminal defense cases as a partner at Rascia and deCastro (2007-2012) and as an associate attorney at Serpico, Novelle, Petrosino and Rascia (2000-2012). Previously (1994-2000), he had been an Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. He is a member of numerous bar associations and legal societies, including the American Bar Association, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Justice Act Panel, and the Northern District of Illinois Criminal Justice Act Panel, where he serves on the Attorney Selection Panel.

Mr. deCastro is considered to have good legal ability and to be a zealous advocate for his clients. He is praised for his temperament and is active in pro bono matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Chelsey R. Robinson -- Qualified
Chelsey R. Robinson was admitted to practice in 1996. She is a Partner in a small firm where she handles civil and criminal litigation matters. Her practice also includes bankruptcy and employment discrimination matters in federal court. She is widely praised for her legal ability and for her knowledge of the law. She has litigation experience in a variety of matters in both state and federal courts. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Vacancy of the Hon. Raymond W. Mitchell

Hon. Neil Cohen -- Qualified
Judge Neil Cohen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1976. He worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney and in solo criminal defense practice prior to taking the bench as an associate judge. Since 2011, he has been in the Chancery Court at the Daley Center. He has extensive teaching and lecturing experience including various symposia and seven years as a clinical adjunct at Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is the President of the Jewish Judges’ Association and a member of various other bar associations and legal societies.

Judge Cohen is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his thorough knowledge and understanding of the complex issues he faces in his current judicial assignment. He is praised for his diligence in issuing opinions in a timely manner. Most lawyers praise his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Wende Williams -- Not Recommended Wende Williams did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Vacancy of the Hon. Timothy P. Murphy

Hon. Edward Joseph Underhill -- Qualified
Judge Edward Underhill was admitted to practice in 1984 and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2023. Prior to taking the bench, Mr. Underhill was a senior partner and chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group at Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. where he has been employed since 1984. In this role he focused on commercial litigation in both federal and state courts proceedings. He has also served in the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Judge Underhill is considered to have good legal ability and was a well respected practitioner before taking the bench. As a judge he is praised for his professional and courteous judicial temperament. He was especially praised for the way he presides over cases where at least one of the parties is unrepresented by legal counsel. He is reported to rule in a fair, impartial, and unbiased manner. He is reported to be an excellent jurist in the short time that he has been on the bench. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Lori Ann Roper -- Qualified
Lori Ann Roper was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. She is a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender. She is assigned to 26th and California where she is an Attorney Supervisor. She has held various positions as an Assistant Public Defender. Ms. Roper has substantial litigation experience in a variety of complex criminal law matters. She advises other Assistant Public Defenders on litigation strategies, and is considered to be an excellent lawyer. She is reported to have a professional and low key temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Vacancy of the Hon. Lorna Propes

Hon. Debjani 'Deb" Desai -- Well Qualified
Judge Debjani Dasgupta Desai was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2008 and was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2023. Before taking the bench, she served as General Counsel of the Illinois Office of Comptroller, Special Prosecutor for the Cook County Child Protection Division, and Adjunct Professor at UIC Law School. She also served as Assistant General Counsel and Administrative Law Judge in the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (2016- 2020) and as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (2008- 2016), where she served in the Public Corruption Unit,the Child Protection and Juvenile JusticeDivisions, and the Child Support Enforcement Division. She is a member of a number of bar associations, including the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago Foundation (President, 2021), the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (President, 2018), the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and the Chicago Bar Association.

Judge Desai is considered to have very good legal ability. She is reported to be knowledgeable and has successfully learned a variety of areas of law during her career. She is praised as a litigator, as an administrator, as an administrative hearing officer, and as a law school adjunct professor. She is reported to have a good temperament. She is respectful and professional. She is described as “detail-oriented” and is exceptionally hard working. She is also described as empathetic toward people appearing before her and with her students. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Russ Hartigan -- Well Qualified
Judge Russell W. Hartigan was admitted to practice in 1976. He served as a Circuit Court judge between 2010 and 2017. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2010. As a lawyer he practiced for 34 years before becoming a judge and has practiced since retiring from the bench in 2017. He has been exceptionally active in bar association activities.

As a lawyer, Judge Hartigan had substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters, including appellate court experience. He was praised for his litigation skills, for his temperament, and for his integrity. As a judge, he spent much of his career in the Bridgeview Courthouse hearing a variety of cases. He was a well-respected jurist who was praised for his courtroom demeanor and management skills. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Chicago Council of Lawyers finds seven Cook County judicial candidates to be "well qualified"

Updated 3/1/24 with corrected links and other information provided by the Council.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of all candidates seeking judicial offices in the March primaries.

This year the Council is issuing only three ratings, "Well Qualified", "Qualified", or "Not Qualified." In past election cycles, the Council has sometimes also issued a "Highly Qualified" rating, but not this year. Also, in accordance with Alliance policy, if "a candidate refuses to submit his or her credentials to the Council, that candidate is rated 'not recommended' unless the Council is aware of credible information that would justify a 'not qualified' rating." For more about how the CCL evaluates judicial hopefuls and the ratings that it issues, consult the first three and a half pages of its March 2024 Primary Judicial Evaluation Report.

For 2024, the Council has found seven Cook County judicial candidates "well qualified." One Supreme Court candidate received this rating from the CCL, as did four Appellate Court candidates, and two Circuit Court candidates. Interestingly, both of the Circuit Court candidates receiving the Council's "Well Qualified" rating, Judge Debjani 'Deb' Desai and former Judge Russ Hartigan, are opposing each other in the race for the countywide Propes vacancy.

In addition to releasing its ratings, the Council also issues a brief narrative explaining its evaluations of each candidate. These are also found in the March 2024 Primary Judicial Evauluation Report. In this post, we will reproduce the Council's narratives for candidates seeking election to the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts in contested primary races. The Council's evaluation narratives for Circuit Court candidates in contested primary races, both countywide and subcircuit, will be covered in subsequent posts.

Supreme Court

Vacancy of the Hon. Anne M. Burke

Hon. Jesse G. Reyes -- Qualified
Hon. Jesse G. Reyes was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. Since 2012, he has served as a Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Fourth Division. Previously he was a Cook County Circuit Judge, where his assignments included the Chancery Division’s Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section (2005-2012); the Chancery Division, County Department and the First Municipal District, Municipal Department (2002-2005); the First Municipal District, First District (2001-2005, 1997-1999); and the Sixth Municipal District (Markham, 1999-2001).

Judge Reyes has good legal ability and has had substantial experience both as a trial judge and as an Appellate Court Justice. He is reported to be well prepared at oral argument and his opinions are reported to be well written and well-reasoned. The Council finds him Qualified for the Illinois Supreme Court.

Hon. Joy Virginia Cunningham -- Well Qualified
Justice Joy Cunningham was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1982. She currently serves on the Illinois Supreme Court where she was appointed in December 2022. Prior to that appointment, she has served on the Appellate Court for sixteen years, as Senior VP and General Counsel for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare System, as an Associate Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, as Associate General Counsel for Loyola University and Loyola Medical Center, and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division where she began her career. She has served as an ALI advisor on Conflict of Laws and has lectured at UIC and Loyola Law Schools on trends in the law and legal practice. She is active in a number of bar associations, legal societies, and nonprofits including the Chicago Bar Association where she was President (2004-2005).

Justice Cunningham has been well respected in all of her previous positions, and is praised for her legal ability and knowledge as a Supreme Court Justice. She is reported to always be prepared for oral argument and her rulings are considered to be thorough and well reasoned. She is also praised for her calm and highly professional temperament. She is exceptionally active in community activities. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Supreme Court.

Appellate Court

Vacancy of the Hon. Joy V. Cunningham

Hon. Cynthia Cobbs -- Well Qualified
Justice Cynthia Cobbs was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1988. Prior to her appointment to the bench in 2011, she served as a staff attorney and chief legal counsel of the Administrative Offices of Illinois Courts. She is currently assigned to the First District Appellate Court (since 2015). She is a member of various bar associations and legal societies, including the Illinois Judges Association where she has served as co-chair of the Pro Bono Committee and a member of the Board of Directors. She has also been a board member of South Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) and Higher Education in Haiti.

Justice Cobbs is a highly respected jurist who is considered to have very good legal ability. She is praised for her thorough understanding of the issues being argued before her. Her temperament is described as patient and respectful. She is reported to issue well reasoned opinions in a timely fashion. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Hon. Carolyn J. Gallagher -- Not Qualified
Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1982. Since 2018, she has been assigned to the Probate Division, County Department, where she hears Decedent’s Estates cases, Adult Guardianship cases, and Minor Guardianship cases. Her previous judicial assignments were in the Municipal Department of the First Municipal District, in the Housing Division (2017-2018) and the Traffic Division (2016-2017). Previously she was a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Carolyn J. Gallagher (2004-2016), where she handled Appellate Law and Complex Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law, and Financial Institution Law. She also worked as a Legal Writing Instructor at DePaul University College of Law (2000-2004) and again as a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Carolyn Gallagher Brocksmith (1996-2000).

Many lawyers found Judge Gallagher to have good legal ability but many also raised concerns about her grasp of the issues related to the cases before her. She is reported to be fair with a good temperament, but many lawyers are concerned with her ability to manage her caseload, including the length of time it takes her to rule. The Council understands that an under-performing employee of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court may have affected the running of Judge Gallagher’s courtroom; however, that explanation does not fully address the concerns raised. On balance, the Council finds Judge Gallagher Not Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Vacancy of the Hon. Mathias W. Delort

Hon. Celia Gamrath -- Well Qualified
Judge Celia Gamrath was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2010 and elected in 2012. From 2010 to 2016, she served in the Domestic Relations Division and has been in Chancery since 2016. Prior to her appointment, she worked in family law litigation for Schiller, DuCanto, and Fleck, and was a clerk in the Illinois Appellate Court (1994-1997). She has lectured for the UIC Law School on various occasions and has several bar association publications. She is also a member of various bar associations, including as past president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, and legal societies as well as actively involved in mentorship to judges and law students.

Judge Gamrath is praised for her knowledge of the law. She is said to read all pleadings and understand the issues before here. Lawyers say that she give fair hearings with principled rulings, She is considered to be hard working and impartial with a respectful and professional demeanor. She has numerous published articles and has substantial experience as a lawyer. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Hon. Leonard Murray -- Qualified Judge Leonard Murray was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1974. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2016 and currently serves as Acting Supervising Judge in the Housing Section of the First Municipal Department. Prior to his election, he had served as an Associate Judge since 2007. Previously, he was in private practice, first with a large accounting firm and then, from 1980 to 2007, as a solo practitioner with a varied practice, focused primarily in litigation.

Lawyers say Judge Murray is smart and knowledgeable. Some respondents complain that he is slow to start his call, but he is generally praised for his impartiality and ability to manage his courtroom. He understands the issues and reportedly does a good job of applying the facts to the law and having decisions that are fair to all parties. The Council finds him Qualified for the Appellate Court.

First look at the Alliance grids

If you've landed here from the March 1 edition of Chicago Public Square, click here to go to an updated version of this story. Stuff moves fast at this time of the election cycle....

I told you they would be forthcoming, and now they've come....

Herewith the first edition of the Alliance "grids" showing all presently available evaluations by each of the 13 Alliance bar groups for each and every Cook County judicial candidate (click to enlarge or clarify any image):

The Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening is comprised of the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

The grids are presumably self-explanatory for many FWIW readers, but for the benefit of our newcomers, here is the ratings key:

And, finally, a statement by the Alliance about its ratings: "Judicial candidates are rated by the Alliance members based on detailed information supplied by candidates, a background check by trained lawyers/investigators, and interviews of each candidate. Ratings reflect the Alliance'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."

Teamsters Local 700 announces endorsements in contested Cook County judicial races

Teamsters Local 700, which describes itself as "the largest public employee local under Teamsters Joint Council 25, [covering] all Teamsters locals in Illinois and Northwest Indiana," has announced endorsements in contested Cook County judicial races for the forthcoming primary.

A complete list of Local 700's endorsements may be found here. Local 700 has not offered endorsements in the Supreme Court or Appellate Court contests. But in contested races for countywide and subcircuit seats, Local 700 has made these endorsements:

Circuit Court Vacancies

Pablo F. deCastro (Flannery, Jr. vacancy)
Neutral (Mitchell vacancy)
Edward Joseph Underhill (Murphy vacancy)
Debjani 'Deb' Desai (Propes vacancy)

Subcircuit Vacancies

Owens J. Shelby (7th Subcircuit - Solganick vacancy)
James V. Murphy (10th Subcircuit - Wojkowski vaccancy)
Kim Przekota (11th Subcircuit - Daleo vacancy)
Steve Demitro (14th Subcircuit - O'Hara vacancy)
Luciano "Lou" Panici, Jr. (15th Subcircuit - Demacopoulos vacancy)
Jeffrey G. Chrones (18th Subcircuit - Converted from Edidin vacancy)
Bridget Colleen Duigan (19th Subcircuit - Converted from Senechalle, Jr. vacancy)
Michael J. Zink (20th Subcircuit - Converted from Budzinski vacancy)

Local 700 also endorsed a number of subcircuit candidates running unopposed in the March primary, but who face Republican opponents in November, namely Alon Stein (12th Subcircuit - Dickler vacancy), Frank J. Andreou (12th Subcircuit - Quinn vacancy), James "Jack" Costello (12th Subcircuit - Schleifer vacancy), and John Hock (18th Subcircuit - Converted from Linn vacancy).

In other races of potential interest to many FWIW readers, Local 700 endorsed former Appellate Court Justice Eileen O'Neill Burke for State's Attorney and Mariyana T. Spyropoulos for Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Is the Illinois Supreme Court "diverse enough"? Latino groups say no

I never heard of the Illinois Latino Agenda before this morning either.

I have seen it happen before during election cycles -- groups pop up with serious-sounding names -- only to vanish into the mists when the polls close. Or -- as often also happens -- groups may exist, and even thrive, for many years before I stumble across them. Or before they find me and engage my attention. Because as hard as I try, I manage to miss a lot.

I don't pretend to know what the story is with Illnois Latino Agenda. There is a website. There is also a Facebook page; that's what's linked in the press release below (I've included all links that were included in the original statement).

In the email providing the press release, the Illinois Latino Agenda describes iteself as "a coalition that advocates for representation of Latinos across all sectors and works to advance the economic, political, and social prosperity of Latino communities throughout Illinois. The coalition previously worked to elevate the urgency to finally elect a Latino judge to the Illinois Supreme Court."

Without further preface, then, here is the press release:

The following is a joint statement from the Illinois Latino Agenda, Latino Leadership Council, and the HLAI - Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois in response to Justice Joy Cunningham’s comment in the Daily Line, “to suggest that our Supreme Court is not diverse because it does not have a Latino on it, in many respects really makes no sense…I think when the court was completely male and completely white, then you could call it a non-diverse court. But now it has five women; it has three Black people.”

“We are shocked by Justice Joy Cunningham’s statements that imply our state’s highest court is ‘diverse enough’ without the presence of a Latino Justice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a zero-sum game.

“We applaud that our highest court has more women and Black justices; however, that does not diminish the need for Latino representation. Such remarks not only overlook the critical importance of inclusive representation but also ignore the unique perspectives and contributions that a qualified Latino justice could bring to our judiciary. To suggest otherwise sets diversity, equity, and inclusion advancements in America, and the legal field, back decades.

“Latinos make up more than 26% of the population in Cook County and 18% in the state, yet there’s never been anyone on the state’s Supreme Court with the lived experience to truly understand the needs of our community and how the laws of our state impact our lives. This perspective is essential for a judiciary that aims to serve justice equitably and with a deep understanding of all its constituents.

“We cannot dismiss the lack of equitable representation on the Court, and we certainly cannot accept the failure to recognize the importance of having a more inclusive court. Equity is not only a matter of fairness, but also a matter of justice and democracy, to ensure all perspectives and experiences are valued and respected in our legal system. It is incumbent upon us to advocate for a judiciary that mirrors the diversity of its people, ensuring justice that is informed, equitable, and inclusive for all.”

Fundraiser Monday for Justice Cobbs

It is billed both as a celebration of Women's History Month and as a fundraiser for the campaign of Appellate Court Justice Cynthia Y. Cobbs: The dual-purpose event is scheduled for Monday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Bella Mia Fine Dining, 4648 W. 147th Street in Midlothian.

St. Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (38th Dist.), Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th Dist.), and Calvin Jordan (Rich Twnshp. Committeeperson) are the listed hosts for this event, at which light refreshments will be served.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $100 each. Tickets are available from the Events Page of the candidate's website.

Michael J. Zink: In his own words

Michael J. Zink is a candidate for the 20th Subcircuit vacancy converted from the Associate Judgeship of Elizabeth Budzinski. His punch number is 162.

My name is Michael J. Zink and I am running for Circuit Court Judge in the 20th Judicial Subcircuit.

I am humbled that my candidacy has been endorsed by virtually every leading elected official in the 20th Subcircuit, including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Mike Quigley, Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz, State Senator Mike Simmons, State Representative Margaret Croke, State Representative Ann Williams, Alderperson Angela Clay, Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Alderperson Matt Martin, Alderperson Bennett Lawson, Alderperson Timmy Knudsen, Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe, Committeeperson Paul Rosenfeld, Committeeperson Harry Osterman, and Committeeperson Tom Tunney. I have also been endorsed by the Chicago Federation of Labor, Personal PAC, Local 134-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IVI-IPO, and the Coalition PAC. I am honored by this universal support of some of the greatest public servants of our time.

Currently an Equity Partner at the Law Offices of Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells, I have been in private practice for 19 years. My work involves litigation in real estate matters in nearly all of the civil divisions of the Cook County Circuit Court and in all 6 Districts of Cook County as well as other collar counties. Additionally, I have taught and moderated many courses for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credit as well as non-MCLE legal courses for the knowledge of lay members of the community. I have likewise had many legal articles published, and I have been interviewed in the media many times regarding legal matters.

I have also held many bar association leadership roles. In the Illinois State Bar Association I served on multiple committees and councils including as Chair of the General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section Council, as a member of the Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations for Cook County, and as a two-term elected member of the Assembly. At the Chicago Bar Association, among other roles I have served on the Real Property Law Committee and on the Nominating Committee. At the Advocates Society, I have served as President, as a member of the Board of Directors, and as Chair of the Steering Committee.

I have also engaged in extensive community leadership and service. As President of East Lake View Neighbors, one of Lakeview’s largest community organizations that includes Wrigleyville and one of our nation’s largest LGBTQ+ communities, I provided individuals an uncensored but respectful forum in which to educate my community about various legal topics and in which to facilitate communication between our community and its elected officials. I similarly held leadership roles in many other legal and community organizations and committees including the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice Forms Committee, the 44th Ward Community Directed Development Council, the Lake View Citizens Council, the Chicago Archdiocese, and the Housing Policy Committee for the Presidential Campaign of President Obama. I also have organized and engaged in a wide range of charity work for many years.

Public service is the driving force behind my candidacy. Driven by a dedicated work ethic, my devotion to public service has been at the forefront of all I have done my adult life. I firmly believe in the importance of rejecting the implicit bias that is rooted in our judicial system and of understanding the disproportionate impact of the judicial system on people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those facing poverty, addiction, and mental health issues. I believe that this approach would promote a legal system that operates equally for all, delivering justice and offering the opportunity for rehabilitation.

I am proud to have been found “Qualified” or “Recommended” by every bar association that has rated me. As my family life, career, charity work, and leadership roles span every ward of the 20th Subcircuit, those who vote for me will not only elect a qualified Judge but will also elect a true voice of our community.

You can learn more about my candidacy at https://www.zinkforjudge.com. I ask for your vote by punching #162 on the March 19, 2024 primary election Democratic ballot.

Very truly yours,

Michael J. Zink

United Hellenic Voters of America makes endorsements in some Cook County judicial races

The United Hellenic Voters of America has released its endorsements of candidates running in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in Cook and some surrounding counties (mostly DuPage), including some endorsements of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the upcoming Democratic primary.

(There are, of course, no Republicans seeking countywide judicial vacancies in Cook County this year. Regular FWIW readers know this, certainly, but a lot of non-regulars, e.g. primary voters looking for information about Cook County judicial candidates, are happening upon this site these days and I feel constrained to mention this fact now and again.)

In any event, the UHVA did not make a lot of endorsements in contested Cook County judicial races -- none in countywide races for the Circuit Court, for example. But here is the short list of the UHVA's endorsements in contested primary races:

Supreme Court Vacancy

Jesse G. Reyes

Appellate Court Vacancy

Celia Louise Gamrath (Delort vacancy)

Subcircuit Vacancy

Jeffrey G. Chrones (18th Subcircuit - Converted from Edidin vacancy)

The UHVA did endorse two 12th Subcircuit candidates, Alon Stein (Dickler vacancy) and Frank J. Andreou (Quinn vacancy), who are unopposed in the March primary, but who face Republican opponents in November.

In other countywide races of interest to judges and practitioners alike, the UHVA endorsed Clayton Harris III for State's Attorney and Mariyana Spyropoulos for Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Chicago Votes issues Voters Guide, provides lessons along with cartoons

This is at least the third election cycle in which Chicago Votes has issued a Voter's Guide. That's the cover of the guide at left; here is a link to the guide.

Who is Chicago Votes, you ask? It describes itself, in the guide, as "a non-partisan, non-profit organization building a more inclusive democracy by putting power in the hands of young Chicagoans. We’re engaging a new generation of leaders, changing laws to make Chicago and Illinois a better place to be young, and in the process, we’re making democracy FUN." (CAPS in original.) (Aside to judicial candidates: Are you having "FUN" right now?)

The Chicago Votes Voters Guide weaves cartoons throughout. This is a page from one of the comics that may be of particular interest for judges and judicial hopefuls, created by C.D. Everett, according to the guide (click to enlarge or clarify):

According to the guide, Everett and, indeed, "[a]ll three artists who contributed to this guide are incarcerated and unable to participate in the election. At Chicago Votes, we believe democracy works when more people are involved. To learn about our efforts to restore voting rights to people in prison, go to chicagovotes.com."

(While you're there, you may wish to check out the "Sh*t Talkin' Central" page. During this busy time of the election cycle, I didn't have much opportunity to browse, but I'm bookmarking this article, entitled, "On Class Conflict in the Japanese Animation Industry," to peruse when time permits.)

So much for the cartoons. But what about the lessons?

After every election cycle, the bar groups and all the other Suits and Straights engage in collective hand-wringing, bemoaning their declining influence. (Note to self: I really have to stop trying to imitate hip, young-person argot -- my efforts increasingly resemble the cringier dialog in "The Way to Eden," the Star Trek TOS "hippie episode.")

The bar groups complain, but they fail to take effective action to increase their impact.

Of the now 13 Alliance bar groups (the number of groups seems to grow every election cycle), only the BWLA has released its judicial candidate ratings. The Chicago Bar Association hasn't released its ratings yet either.

I know the ratings are coming. I know the bar groups are working hard (and the administrators of the Alliance groups and the CBA are working even harder) trying to get the ratings completed and ready for mass release. But early voting is again already underway and tempus fugit. (There. Let the Young People look something up for a change.)

Meanwhile, the reach of the Check Your Judges guide, published by Injustice Watch, just keeps growing and growing.

The Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide, that I wrote about just this week, acknowledges "our amazing friends at Injustice Watch." The Chicago Votes Voters Guide explains why it thinks voting for judges is important:

Of all the people on your ballot, judges are the folks you are most likely to encounter. They have a ton of power over people’s lives, deciding the outcomes of child custody, traffic tickets, and whether or not someone will be sent to prison and for how long.

And what should the FUN young people use to choose their judges? Chicago Votes publishes a list of judicial candidates, some of whom are marked in red to indicate that they have 'past controversies.' According to who? Why, Injustice Watch, of course.

Chicago Votes expressly denies making endorsements... but "encourages voters to find more information at injusticewatch.org." And, just in case the "new generation of leaders" doesn't get the hint, there's a big button live link straight to Injustice Watch.

And Chicago Votes sent its constituents to Injustice Watch in 2022 and 2020, too.

The CBA and the Alliance expend all sorts of scarce human resources on the investigation of Cook County judicial candidates. Now I realize that the bar screening process has its critics, and charges have been made, from time to time, about the infiltration of particular agendas, or persons with particular biases, into the bar screening process. No human enterprise is perfect. But the bar groups try to be objective, even if they do not always succeed, and they do good work.

Injustice Watch, on the other hand, and as you may have noticed, has a distinct point of view. That's not meant as a criticism; it is simply a fact. I have gotten on well with the many people at Injustice Watch with whom I have interacted over the years. Our 'beats' overlap, especially at election time. They have a job to do, and they do that job as best they can, but always in accord with their view of the world. The group's point of view does not wholly undermine the worth of their investigations -- which are often illuminating and valuable -- but the good people at Injustice Watch are not lawyers. Things lawyers understand and appreciate and accept in the ordinary course may seem confusing or even sinister to non-lawyers (and, sometimes, I think, vice versa).

But it is the Injustice Watch investigations of Cook County judicial candidates that now command the field of voter education. The influence of that group is multiplied with Chicago Votes and Girl, I Guess and who knows what other sites that I haven't found.

And that's the issue for me: Don't bar groups want to influence voters with their ratings? They don't have to denigrate the work done by Injustice Watch in order to do this. But, if the bar groups want to recover their influence, they have to speak up sooner. There may have been a reason, before widespread early voting, to 'hold' ratings until all (or nearly all) were complete. But the world has changed. Rolling releases of bar evaluations would really help increase the bar groups' potential influence.

If the bar groups really don't want to cede the investigation of judicial candidates to Injustice Watch, they have to find a way to get the results of their investigations before the voting public as soon as possible.

(Stepping down from soapbox... again....)

BREAKING: PLA denied in Ashonta Rice case

The Illinois Supreme Court has today denied a Petition for Leave to Appeal filed on behalf of Ashonta Rice, bringing her 2024 judicial campaign to an end.

The complete text of today's Order is as follows:

This cause coming to be heard on the motion of Petitioner, Ashonta Rice, responses having been filed, and the Court being fully advised in the premises;

IT IS ORDERED that the emergency motion for accelerated docket is treated as a motion for expedited consideration of the petition for leave to appeal. The motion for expedited consideration of the petition for leave to appeal is allowed. The petition for leave to appeal is denied.

Order entered by the Court.

Neville and Cunningham JJ., took no part.

FWIW has also learned that a motion to publish the Rice decision has been filed in the Appellate Court. If granted, that would convert the Appellate Court's recent Rule 23 Order into a published opinion.

Stay tuned.

Sunil Bhave: In his own words

Sunil Bhave is a candidate for the 18th Subcircuit vacancy converted from the Associate Judgeship of Lauren Gottainer Edidin. His punch number is 162.

I would like to thank the host of this blog, Jack Leyhane, and you, the readers, for giving us an opportunity to tell you who we are. My name is Sunil Bhave and I am a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in Cook County's 18th Judicial Subcircuit, which principally consists of Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, and Des Plaines, along with surrounding communities in the Northwest Suburbs. I am currently an Associate Circuit Court Judge, having been appointed in March 2023.

The judicial branch is the hidden branch of government to many. But the cases we decide directly impact the lives of real, everyday citizens. I take my responsibilities very seriously. I know that, as a judge, every litigant deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. What I have learned is that litigants in the courtroom expect the same thing that we do in life—to be treated fairly. My job as a judge is to make sure every litigant and lawyer leaves the courtroom believing that they got a "fair shake" no matter the outcome of the case.

I am a second-generation American whose parents came to this country from India 60 years ago. My parents were hardworking immigrants who taught me compassion, empathy, and an unyielding sense that success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. As a child of immigrants, I have first-hand knowledge of discrimination and know that too many people face prejudice. When I became an attorney, I committed myself to a career in public service. I felt a desire to help the less fortunate and those against whom the odds may be stacked.

Immediately after graduation from law school, I joined the Missouri State Public Defender's Office in rural Missouri (down in the bootheel in Poplar Bluff). My clients were poor, and often there was no one else to help them. Later, I clerked at a state appellate court (in Missouri) and for a federal district court in Louisiana (the Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge). After my clerkships, I moved to Chicago to join the Illinois Attorney General's Office, where I handled civil appeals and general trial court litigation. My practice at the Attorney General's Office was varied. I briefed and argued appellate cases, including arguments in every appellate district in Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the federal Seventh Circuit. I also litigated cases in the state and federal trial courtrooms from complaint to verdict, mostly focusing on civil rights cases in federal court and equitable relief cases in the State Chancery Division.

At the Attorney General's Office, I was fortunate to work on some of the more high-profile cases in high-stakes litigation involving the People of Illinois, such as lawsuits challenging Illinois' Concealed Carry licensing system in federal court and representing Chief Judge Timothy Evans and the Circuit Court of Cook County in a lawsuit that we filed against Cook County after the County drastically reduced funding for Court operations.

But it is not really the high-profile cases that prepared me to be a judge. Instead, it is the countless interactions with everyday people from all walks of life that prepared me to take the bench. It is those cases that no one will ever hear of, mostly involving self-represented litigants, that affected me profoundly. I recognized that for each litigant, their case is likely the most important matter occurring in their life at that moment. These experiences taught me the values of listening to others carefully, treating others with respect and dignity, and explaining each ruling so that every litigant, even if they lose the case, can have closure.

I also applied these values during my time as an elected school board member in the Northwest Suburbs (Elk Grove Township District 59). Like litigants, parents equally are deserving of respect, being treated fairly, and understanding why decisions are being made that affect their and their children's lives. Serving on the school board gave me a broader perspective on making important decisions affecting real people's lives outside of the courtroom setting.

I have been found qualified and recommended by all of the bar associations that have rated me. And through many years of public service, I have earned the trust and endorsement of many elected officials and organizations. I am endorsed by the following:

• Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
• State Senator Laura Murphy
• State Senator Ann Gillespie
• State Representative Tracy Katz Muhl
• Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison
• Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita
• Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski
• All of the Democratic Party Organizations and Committeepeople in the 18th Subcircuit
• Personal PAC—Illinois' Leading Pro-Choice Organization
• Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization

I ask for your vote—Sunil Bhave for Circuit Judge, 18th Subcircuit, Gottainer Edidin Vacancy, Punch No. 162. To learn more, please visit my campaign website at www.sunil4judge.com.

Tonight: CCBA Judges' Night at Faegre Drinker

Almost missed this one.

Busy time of year and all that.

But, anyway, the Cook County Bar Association is holding its Judges' Night tonight, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Faegre Drinker, 320 S. Canal St., Suite 3300. Sitting judges are admitted free. Tickets are $75 for CCBA members, $100 for non-members.

Reservations are required. Click here for the Ticket Falcon link.

Girl, I Guess offers endorsements in Cook County judicial races

Updated 3/4/24 mostly to reflect additional endorsement in 18th Subcircuit

I reluctantly concede that, quite frequently, endorsements are kind of... well... boring.

Not to the candidates themselves, certainly. A candidate fortunate enough to garner an endorsement from almost any organization, no matter how obscure, cherishes the honor. Celebrates it. Shouts it from the rooftops, even.

But the endorsements themselves are often rather dry.

This might be an opportune moment to remind readers that FWIW does not endorse Cook County judicial candidates. I do report endorsements made... but only if I can get all of the endorsements made by the politico, union, or community group doing the endorsement. This steams some candidates, of course: They go to all the trouble to get an endorsement from Cong. Filtch or Ald. Grab and then I refuse to report it.

But if a person or group does not want to tell the world who it endorses -- everyone it endorses -- I get suspicious.

And with reason, I think. I recall one time where I finally got hold of a union's complete endorsement list... and several candidates were surprised (and disappointed) to learn that said union had endorsed every candidate in some races.

Which brings us back to the Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide.

Author Stephanie Skora (joined, for this election cycle at least, by Raeghn Draper) have put together an evolving Google Doc (linked above) that is not boring and not dry. The authors describe Girl, I Guess as "Jewish, Black, queer, trans, nerdy and dedicated to helping members of our community navigate a confusing ballot and identify the most progressive candidates." They caution readers not to simply rely on them, but to "consult with progressive / radical organizers in your community, especially queer, trans, Black, and Brown folks!"

The authors are likewise not shy about explaining their endorsements -- and they have opinions on just about every office on the ballot, from POTUS on down. The authors have dozens of criteria by which they evaluate candidates for most offices but, for judicial offices, Girl, I Guess lists this "simple scale" by which it rates judges:

1. Is this judge a cop?
2. Is this judge sketchy, suspicious, or have they done bad/controversial things in the past?
3. Is this judge a dumbass?
4. Do Bar Associations think that this judge is qualified?

The guide also acknowledges "our amazing friends at Injustice Watch" (and they cite frequently, in their commentary, to the Check Your Judges Guide recently published by Injustice Watch).

I encourage readers to examine the Girl, I Guess guide for themselves (updating... and you may have to go back to it every now and again because it is published as a Google Doc and is subject to updating)... but, meanwhile, allow me to discharge my obligation to report those Cook County judicial candidate endorsements in contested races made by Girl, I Guess:

Supreme Court Vacancy

Joy Virginia Cunningham

Appellate Court Vacancies

Cynthia Y. Cobbs (Cunningham vacancy)
Celia Louise Gamrath (Delort vacancy)

Circuit Court Vacancies

Pablo F. deCastro (Flannery, Jr. vacancy)
Neil Cohen (Mitchell vacancy)
Edward Joseph Underhill (Murphy vacancy)
Debjani "Deb" Desai (Propes vacancy)

Subcircuit Vacancies

Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez (3rd Subcircuit - Brosnahan vacancy)
Owens J. Shelby (7th Subcircuit - Solganick vacancy)
No Endorsement (10th Subcircuit - Wojkowski vacancy)
Audrey Victoria Cosgrove (11th Subcircuit - Daleo vacancy)
Griselda Vega Samuel (14th Subcircuit - O'Hara vacancy)
Sunil Bhave (18th Subcircuit - Converted from Edidin vacancy)
Bridget Colleen Duignan (19th Subcircuit - Converted from Senechalle, Jr. vacancy)
Nadine Jean Wichern (20th Subcircuit - Converted from Budzinski vacancy)

For those keeping score at home, in countywide judicial races, the Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide strays not one inch from the Cook County Democratic Party slate.

Some FWIW readers may have been intrigued by the deliberate "no endorsement" in the 10th Subcircuit race. There are other contested subcircuit races in which Girl, I Guess has not made any endorsement -- the authors simply don't mention those races -- but, for this race, the authors provide extensive commentary. An excerpt:

Sigh. Dear reader, I am annoyed. Miffed. Vexed and displeased. Never in thirteen editions of this Guide have I been lobbied so incessantly for an endorsement in a race of any kind. For those unfamiliar with the finer points of the Girl, I Guess methodology, I have a longstanding rule against talking to judicial candidates before a Guide comes out, because they’re unable to comment on specific policy positions, and because the four criteria for a judicial endorsement are pretty clear. But, every now and then, someone just doesn’t get the memo, and instead proceeds to send me sixteen separate emails dating back to August of 2023 despite me [not] responding to a single email. So, once again, sigh.

This is an oddly dramatic race between a Guy Who Won’t Stop Emailing Me (Liam Kelly), and JB Pritzker’s Soap Opera Twin JC Pritzker (James Murphy) with plenty of questions and insider drama to go around.

*  *  *

This race leaves a bad taste in my mouth for so many reasons. On the one hand, James Murphy and I clearly have a number of ideological disagreements, he’s clearly police-aligned and therefore violating Criterion #1 for my endorsement. On the other hand, Liam Kelly, despite being more progressive, has run his campaign in such a way that I’m left near-convinced that he’s cheating, violating Criteria #2 and #3 for being both suspicious and a dumbass. Girl, I Guess takes an extremely hard line against many things, and two of those are cops and electoral skullduggery. Because of this, I’m unfortunately unable to make an endorsement in the 10th Subcircuit race, and encourage voters to read this coverage and decide for themselves....

Girl, I Guess: Not boring. Not dry. Readers are (again) encouraged to consult the source material for themselves.