Organizing the Data: Countywide Mitchell 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.

Neil Cohen - #147

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Neil Cohen is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Cohen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976. He served as an Associate Judge from 2009 through 2022 when he was appointed a Circuit Court Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court. He currently sits in General Chancery. There, he is respected for his knowledge of the law and diligence in his work habits. He is well respected for his legal ability, integrity, and judicial experience. However, he is faulted for his unpredictable temperament. The committee is persuaded that he is committed to improving his temperament sufficiently to find him qualified to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

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.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Hon. Neil Cohen has been licensed in Illinois since 1976. After a career as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, he was selected as an associate judge in 2009. In September 2022 he was appointed to the circuit court. He has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2011; previous assignments include the Traffic Division and the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). He serves on several Illinois Supreme Court Committees, including the Illinois Judicial College, and is president of the Jewish Judges Association. He is a member of various bar associations and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Decalogue Society in 2022.

Attorneys all praised his legal knowledge, pointing out that he handles a variety of complex issues in Chancery. While a few acknowledged that he could be impatient at times, all praised his impartiality, integrity, and diligence. ISBA finds Judge Neil Cohen 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: Highly 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

Cook County Democratic Party
AMVOTE PAC
IBEW Local 134
Girl, I Guess
Personal PAC

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Wende Williams - #148

Campaign Website (newly added)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Wende Williams 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:

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

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ms. Wende Williams declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Wende Williams is not recommended to be elected 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

Endorsement

IUOE Local 399

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