Organizing the Data: Countywide Propes 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.

Debjani 'Deb' Desai - #151

Campaign Website

Debjani 'Deb' Desai: In her own words

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Debjani Desai is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Desai was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. She is currently the General Counsel for the Illinois Office of the Controller. Prior to that she was an administrative law judge at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. She began her career as an Assistant State's Attorney, first in the Child Protection and Enforcement Unit and then prosecuting cases in the Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit. Ms. Desai is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, diverse legal experience, and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

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.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Hon. Debjani Desai was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008 and recently appointed to fill the At- Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Lorna E. Propes. The appointment is effective July 14, 2023, and will conclude December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election. Judge Desai had served since 2020 as General Counsel for the Illinois Office of Comptroller where she was the Chief Legal Officer leading a team of attorneys in Chicago and Springfield to provide legal and subject matter expertise on legislation, finance, operations, compliance, labor, and employment. She had also served since 2020 as a Special Prosecutor for Cook County in contested Juvenile Court proceedings and as an Adjunct Professor of Counseling & Negotiations at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. From 2008 to 2014 she was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County.

Attorneys reported that she has good legal ability, is knowledgeable and had successfully learned a variety of areas of law during her career. She is reported to have a good temperament and is professional and respectful. ISBA finds Judge Debjani Desai 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: Highly 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
Chicago Federation of Labor
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
Teamsters Local 700
IUOE Local 150
IUOE Local 399
IBEW Local 134
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No.7
Cong. Jan Schakowsky
Girl, I Guess
Personal PAC

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Russ Hartigan - #152

Campaign Website (newly added)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Russell W. Hartigan is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court. Mr. Hartigan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and practiced law from 1977-2010 concentrating in civil trial, workers' compensation, municipal and appellate practice matters. Mr. Hartigan has handled a number of appeals in both the State and Federal Courts and authored many articles in the ISBA Journal. Mr. Hartigan was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2010 and served as a judge until 2017. Mr. Hartigan is currently practicing law with a suburban firm. Mr. Hartigan has extensive experience as a lawyer and as a judge and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as an Appellate Court Justice.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

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.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Hon. Russell Hartigan (ret.) was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. He was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court in 2010 and then elected in 2012. His assignments included First Municipal and the Fifth District (Bridgeview). In 2017 he resigned from the bench upon being elected president of the Illinois State Bar Association. From 1976 until his appointment in 2010 he concentrated on civil litigation for several different firms, as a partner, owner, and being Hartigan and O’Connor. He teaches at The Marshall Law School, speaks statewide on legal topics, and writes articles. As a judge, he spent much of his career at the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) hearing a variety of cases.

Attorneys have a high regard for his legal knowledge, preparedness, and approachable demeanor. ISBA finds Judge Russell W. Hartigan (ret.) highly qualified to be elected as a judge 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: Recommended

Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement

AMVOTE PAC

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