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.
Nickolas Pappas - #161
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Pursuant to section 31 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for your current Judge candidacy.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
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.
Mr. Nickolas Pappas was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. He has been a sole practitioner for sixteen years, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights cases; prior to opening his practice, he has worked for civil law firms as well as an assistant state’s attorney. He has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience, has appeared in federal court, and has handled appeals. He participates in pro bono activities and volunteered in law-related education and competitions in local schools.
Attorneys gave positive feedback about his legal knowledge and ability including in complex matters, and praised his integrity, temperament, and diligence. ISBA finds Mr. Nickolas Pappas qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Recommended
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: Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsement
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------Michael J. Zink - #162
Campaign Website
Michael J. Zink: In his own words
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Michael Zink is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Zink was admitted to practice law in November 2004. Mr. Zink is currently in private practice. The candidate has extensive legal experience, his references praise his temperament, and he has a strong history of performing community service. Mr. Zink is qualified to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
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.
Mr. Michael J. Zink was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2014. He is an equity partner with Starr, Bejgiert, Zink and Rowells where he has been employed since 2004. His firm focuses on litigation matters in landlord-tenant, condominium, real estate, and bankruptcy. He has litigated over one hundred civil bench trials. He has written and spoken extensively on legal matters for both bar associations and community groups. He has extensive bar association involvement, as past president of the Advocates Society; and Assembly, committee and section member of the Illinois State Bar Association; a committee member of the Chicago Bar Association; and as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. In addition, he is president of his condominium association and has been active with various community groups in the East Lake View and Lincoln Park communities.
Attorneys described his knowledge of the law as being stellar and sharp. They reported that he treats all parties professionally and with respect, is diligent, and has a calm and patient temperament. ISBA finds Mr. Michael J. Zink qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Not Evaluated (through no fault of the candidate)
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: Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
Teamsters Local 700
IBEW Local 134
IUOE Local 399
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------IVI-IPO
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
Teamsters Local 700
IBEW Local 134
IUOE Local 399
Personal PAC
John Poulos - #163
No Campaign Website Known
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
John Poulos 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:
John Poulos did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. John Poulos declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Poulos is found not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
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Nadine Jean Wichern - #164
Campaign Website
Nadine Jean Wichern: In her own words
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Pursuant to section 31 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for your current Judge candidacy.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Nadine Jean Wichern has been licensed since 2000. She is currently the Chief of the Appeals Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois, a position she has held since 2015. In total she has been with the Civil Appeals Division from 2011 to 2015, also 2001 to 2006; prior to this, she had been in the Appeals Division of the City of Chicago Department of Law from 2006 to 2011. She has no jury or bench trail experience; she has appeared before various appellate courts as well as the Illinois and United States Supreme courts. She has taught legal writing at local law schools and presented and written on legal topics. She also sits on committees for the Women’s Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association and is a Director for the Appellate Lawyers Association. In 2023 she received a Women in Law Award from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer magazine.
Attorneys consider her to be an accomplished appellate lawyer who is an excellent writer and advises trial attorneys in her office. She is sensitive to diversity, and it is report that she has an excellent temperament and character. ISBA finds Ms. Nadine Jean Wichern qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Recommended
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: Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsements
Girl, I Guess
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------Personal PAC
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