Organizing the Data: 7th Subcircuit - Solganick vacancy

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.

Deidre Baumann - #161

Campaign Website
(newly added)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Deidre Baumann did not 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:

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.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ms. Deidre Baumann has been licensed since 1992. After working for a law firm in 1996 she opened her own firm, Baumann and Shuldiner, handling civil litigation in state and federal court. She is active with various bar associations and is currently president of the Suburban Bar Coalition and on the board of the Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association. Previously, she served as president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and the North Suburban Bar Association as well as on the executive board of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. She served on several committees for the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.

While attorneys report that she is professional with good writing skills, concerns were raised over a lack of punctuality and diligence at times. ISBA finds Ms. Bauman not 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


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Owens J. Shelby - #162

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Owens "Joe" Shelby is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shelby was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney, Second Chair, in the Felony Trial Division in the 4th Municipal District. Mr. Shelby has handled several felony and misdemeanor trials and has had some juvenile and civil experience.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

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.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Hon. Owens Shelby has been licensed since 2007. In May 2023, he was appointed to the Circuit Court, after a previous career spent mainly as an assistant state’s attorney. He also spent a short time as Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House. He is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. As a prosecutor he worked in the Fourth District (Maywood) and in the Community Justice Center – West. He has been on the Boards of various community groups and also the National Black Prosecutors – Chicago Chapter, where he served as Treasurer. He has criminal jury and bench trial experience.

Attorneys generally reported that he has a solid legal knowledge and ability and knows how to apply the law to the facts. He is considered to be respectful of all with a solid character. ISBA finds Judge Owens Shelby qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not Evaluated (through no fault of the candidate)

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: Not Evaluated (through no fault of the candidate)

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
Girl, I Guess
Personal PAC

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