LAP Awards Dinner set for October 10 at Brookfield Zoo

The Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program will hold its annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 10, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Brookfield Zoo. Registration for the event closes a week from today, on October 4.

Tickets for the event are $150 apiece, and are available from this Eventbrite link. Sponsorships are available (Friends of LAP - $250, Bronze - $500, Silver - $1,000, Gold - $2,500, Platinum - $3,500, or Presenting - $5,000). Each sponsorship level has an increasing number of perks, including numbers of event tickets, social media mentions, or recognition during the event itself. Presenting sponsors will be invited to address the gathering. In addition, LAP is seeking beverage and music sponsors, for $1,500 each. These last are exclusive sponsorships and may not be available long. Information regarding each level of sponsorship can be found, and donations of any amount can be made, at this Eventbrite link.

Ticketholders will be admitted to the zoo beginning at 3:00 p.m. They will thus have the opportunity to see for themselves, prior to the start of the scheduled program, whether something's happening at the zoo. (Personally, I do believe it, I do believe it's true.)

According to the Illinois Courts website, First District Appellate Justice Jesse G. Reyes will be the honored guest and speaker at this event. LAP will present these awards at the October 10 awards dinner:

• Michael J. Howlett Jr. Award - Lester Munson
  Awarded to an individal in recognition of their promotion of the goals and missions of LAP within the legal community.


• Hon. John Powers Crowley Award - Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans
  Awarded to a member of the judiciary who has contributed to the goals and mission of LAP; a special honor, awarded as warranted.


• Carl H. Rolewick Award - Matthew S. Sims
  Awarded to an attorney who has contributed to the goals and mission of LAP.


• Executive Director Award - Roueen Rafeyan, M.D.
  Awarded to an individual or organization that the Executive Director feels has supported her in her work at LAP.


• Daneen Fitzpatrick Berres Award - Lisa G. Williams
  Awarded to a member of the LAP Women's group who has contributed to the goals and mission of LAP, and who has demonstrated a commitment to helping other women in the group by acting as a role mode and peer support person.

Silent auction and raffle items are are also needed. Contact cramski@illinoislap.org to arrange for auction donations.

Because service in the Illinois General Assembly did not come with enough perks already....

Reminiscent of the late Sydney J. Harris, here's a thing I learned en route to looking up other things....

Effective January 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court has amended Supreme Court Rule 795 (CLE accreditation standards and hours), by adding a new subsection (d)(13), which provides:

Service as Elected or Appointed Member of the Illinois General Assembly. An attorney elected or appointed to the Illinois General Assembly earns three hours of general MCLE credit by attending at least one day of one qualifying legislative session. A "qualifying legislative session" is any official regular, special, or veto session of the Illinois General Assembly for which the member is present in the Illinois House of Representatives or Illinois Senate chambers or any official committee or subcommittee meeting of the Illinois House of Representatives or Illinois Senate for which the representative or senator is present. Credit for this attendance is limited to 3 hours for each qualifying legislative session and is capped at 12 hours in each two-year reporting period. There is no carryover of these credits to another two-year reporting period and no professional responsibility credit is available. The attorney must report the credit earned from this activity to the MCLE Board using the Board's online submission process no later than the reporting deadline for the reporting period in which the attorney earned the credit. Newly admitted attorneys do not earn Illinois MCLE credit under this provision.

It's not a complete get-out-of-CLE-free pass for lawyer-legislators: Hauling one's carcass down to Springfield and staying the day provides only a maximum of 12 of the required 30 CLE hours in any one reporting period (and only three in any given session) -- and the honorable member must still enter his or her attendance in the now-usual online manner (the dozen hours are not assumed or automatically conferred). Moreover, these are general credits only, meaning attendance doesn't count toward the various professional resopnsibility hours requirements.

Still... was there really a burning need for this? Were significant numbers of lawyer-legislators working so diligently on the people's business that they were failing to attend to their own CLE requirements? One guesses that Someone Important must have asked for this... but FWIW does not have the investigative resources to find out who that Someone Important might be.

Local Federal Courts again sponsor Bill of Rights Day contest

Like me, perhaps, some of you are still a bit giddy from your recent Constitution Day celebrations.

So be it. The Constitutional calendar moves on.

And, as we approach this year's Bill of Rights Day (December 15, for those of you who may have forgotten), the United States Courts of Appeals along with the United States District Courts in the Seventh and Eighth Circuits, are hosting the fifth annual Bill of Rights Day contest for students in grades 5 to 12 in Illinois (and elsewhere in the 7th and 8th Circuits). The contest is being conducted under the auspices of the Judicial Learning Center.

While there are (presumably) very few middle school and high school students among FWIW's regular readers, a great many FWIW readers have children or grandchildren who do fall in the target demographic. Some of us have middle school or high school teachers in our families, and among our friends and neighbors, as well. So we can alert them.

Pass the word to your kids, grandkids, friends, and family as follows:

Students in grades 5-12 from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are encouraged to submit art and essays on the importance of the Bill of Rights. Creativity is encouraged.

A grand prize winner from each grade level category will be awarded a $500 cash prize, be able to take part in a virtual event on Wednesday, December 4 with Federal Judges and other legal experts on the enduring rights afforded to Americans by the Bill of Rights, and have their name and submission shared on the websites of the participating United States District Courts. Finalists from each grade level category will receive a $50 prize.

There are four grade level categories: Grade 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12.

Submissions will be accepted during the fall semester, through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Finalists will be notified by Thanksgiving and grand prize winners will be announced at the virtual event on December 4. A finalist must be present to win the grand prize.

Detailed contest prompts, guidelines, and online submission form can be found here: JudicialLearningCenter.org/bill-of-rights-day.

Teachers: Be sure to tell your students to list you on their submission forms. All teacher names submitted will be entered into a raffle for valuable gift cards. The more students you have enter the more chances you have to win.

Please also note: There is a bulk-submit option for teachers. Contact the Judicial Learning Center through the website for instructions on how to submit for your entire class. Teachers are strongly encouraged to use the bulk-submit option if multiple students are entering.

Persons not entering the contest who may nonetheless have a rooting interest in the proceedings are welcome to attend the virtual event on December 4 at 6:00 p.m. Central/7:00 p.m. Eastern. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win prizes.

Event registration is required. To register, click JudicialLearningCenter.org/bill-of-rights-day.

CBA issues updated ratings for 12th Subcircuit candidates

FWIW has confirmed this morning that the Chicago Bar Association has found 12th Subcircuit candidate Pamela Curran Smith (pictured at left) "Qualified" in her bid for the Quinn vacancy.

My earlier post profiling the Quinn vacancy has been updated accordingly.

Readers scrolling to the comments in the linked post will see that that candidate called me out for publishing the CBA's "not recommended" rating; she expressly denied that she "declined to participate" in the CBA's screening process. I had relied on the rating issued with the CBA's Voters' Guide for the March 2024 primary in preparing my post.

In my experience, bar ratings, once issued (and once the regular appeal process has been exhausted), do not change between the primary and general elections. I can recall an instance where a candidate rating was withdrawn (only to be reinstated later) -- but, until now, I can not recall a single instance where this kind of change has occurred.

The operative words in the preceding sentence are "until now."

In the course of investigating the question this morning I learned, from a reliable CBA source, that there were a few candidates who received "Not Recommended" ratings during the primary season because "we did not receive their completed questionnaires in time to conduct an investigation. Part of this turned out to not be completely their fault and we decided in all fairness to allow them to submit their questionnaires and go through our process."

Ms. Smith was one of the candidates who was allowed to proceed with the screening process after this determination was made.

The CBA also today provided FWIW with an updated "Qualified" letter to 12th Subcircuit candidate Alon Stein (Dickler vacancy). He was rated "Qualfied" for the primary as well, and, as I had done with Ms. Smith, I had used the language from the CBA's primary voters' guide in my Organizing the Data post. However, since the language of the CBA's explanation of its rating has changed, I have updated that post as well, to reflect the CBA's current language.

Finally, the CBA has advised FWIW that its general election voters guide (the Smart Guide) should be available soon. FWIW will have that guide when available.

Organizing the Data: 18th Subcircuit - Converted from Associate Judgeship of Linn

There are only five judicial vacancies on the Cook County ballot this November in which voters have any choice whatsoever. All of the other races were decided in the March Democratic primary. One of these contested races is in the new northwest suburban 18th Subcircuit. This post looks at the candidates for that vacancy.

Candidates are listed in punch number order. This year, that means the Democratic candidate is listed before the Republican candidate.

This post may be updated with new, additional, or corrected information, as it becomes available.

One final note: Each candidate may have endorsements from persons or groups not shown below. These are typically found on the candidate's websites. FWIW only publishes endorsements that it can independently verify.

John Hock - #92

Campaign Website

John Hock: In his own words

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

John Hock is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Judge. Mr. Hock was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He is an Assistant State's Attorney for Cook County currently working on post-conviction matters. He previously served as a public defender. Mr. Hock is well regarded by his peers and judges before whom he has appeared for his even temperament, integrity, and work ethic.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

John Hock was admitted to the Florida bar in 2007. He has been with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2022 and is assigned to the Special Litigation Unit where he manages a caseload of serious felony cases. He did civil litigation in Florida from 2007 to 2009. He then worked until 2011 for the Will County Public Defender’s Office. From 2011 to 2013, he worked for a private law firm doing civil litigation, and from 2013 to 2022 he worked for the Lake County Public Defender’s Office. He is considered to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Mr. John Hock was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009 and was admitted to practice in Florida in 2007. He was employed with a civil litigation firm in Florida until 2009, when he obtained his Illinois license and started with the Will County Public Defender. After working for Cremer Law focusing on commercial and international litigation for two years, he spent nine years with the Lake County Public Defender. Since 2022 he has been an assistant state’s attorney with Cook County, focusing on post-conviction matters in the Special Litigation Unit. He has been a presenter on legal topics and a committee member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Attorneys consider him to be an expert in his field of prisoner petitions. He handles all cases without bias, follows the law, and is diligent in his work. ISBA finds John Hock 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 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: 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
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134
Teamsters Local 700

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Lynn Terese Palac - #93

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Lynn Palac is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Palac was admitted to practice law in 1999. Ms. Palac has been practicing law in Cook County for 25 years and has significant litigation and trial experience, primarily in criminal cases. Ms. Palac is well regarded by judges and opposing attorneys for her legal knowledge, pleasant demeanor, and work ethic. She is also praised for her community involvement.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Lynn T. Palac was admitted to practice in 1999 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 10 years before she left that office to do criminal defense work. She also is employed by Catholic Charities where she provides training in domestic violence and domestic relations cases.

Lynn T. Palec is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for her litigation skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ms. Lynn Terese Palac has been licensed since 1999. After spending ten years as an Assistant State’s Attorney, she worked with several firms focusing on criminal, traffic and family law, before opening her own practice in 2015. She is also a Supervising Attorney for Catholic Charities Legal Assistance, where she trains other attorneys and represents clients of Catholic Charities, mostly in the domestic violence area. She is a member of several bar associations and has been Chair of the Northwest Suburban Bar Criminal Law Committee.

While attorneys considered her to be fair, punctual and a hard worker, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her litigation experience since leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office in 2009. ISBA finds Lynn T. Palac 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

Organizing the Data: 12th Subcircuit - Schleifer vacancy

There are only five judicial vacancies on the Cook County ballot this November in which voters have any choice whatsoever. All of the other races were decided in the March Democratic primary. Three of these contested races are in the north suburban 12th Subcircuit. This post looks at the candidates for the Schleifer vacancy in that 12th Subcircuit.

Candidates are listed in punch number order. This year, that means the Democratic candidate is listed before the Republican candidate.

This post may be updated with new, additional, or corrected information, as it becomes available.

One final note: Each candidate may have endorsements from persons or groups not shown below. These are typically found on the candidate's websites. FWIW only publishes endorsements that it can independently verify.

James "Jack" Costello - #95

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

James "Jack" Costello is "Qualified" to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Costello was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007 and has been an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney since that time. Mr. Costello has significant trial experience and is well-regarded for his diligence, legal ability and experience, and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

James Costello was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. He has spent his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where since 2019 he has served in the Special Prosecutions Bureau, Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit (he is currently First Chair). He has also served in the Felony Trial Division (2016-2019), the Felony Review and Preliminary Hearings Unit (2013-2016), the Misdemeanors/Traffic/Preliminary Hearings Units at the Markham courthouse (2009-2013), and Criminal Appeals in the Daley Center (2007-2009).

Mr. Costello is considered to have good legal ability and is especially praised for his temperament. He is reported to be knowledgeable and fair with lawyers and litigants. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Mr. James Costello has been licensed since 2007. He is a career prosecutor currently assigned to the Public Corruption/Financial Crimes Unit; before his assignment there in 2019, he worked in the Felony Trial Division, Misdemeanor/Traffic, and Appeals. He has been a speaker and guest lecturer at both law schools and high schools and coached mock trial teams. He is a board Member of the Arlington Heights Historical Society.

Mr. Costello has substantial jury and bench trial experience in criminal matters, including in complex cases. Attorneys praised his legal skills and ability, and analytical skills. He is reported to be high integrity, even keeled and fair. ISBA finds James Costello qualified for election 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: Not Evaluated (through no fault of 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
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134
Teamsters Local 700

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Matthew Taylor - #96

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Matthew Taylor is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Taylor was admitted to practice law in 2004. His practice includes criminal law, real estate law and estate planning. Although Mr. Taylor has been practicing law for 19 years, the scope of his practice and court experience is limited. At this point in his career, Mr. Taylor does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal experience to effectively serve as a judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Matthew Jay Taylor was admitted to practice in 2004 and has always practiced as a sole practitioner. He was a suburban police officer for 10 years prior to becoming a lawyer and currently works at the College of DuPage Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. He is the village prosecutor for 3 municipalities. His law practice includes real estate, probate, misdemeanor defense, child custody issues, and work in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court.

Mr. Taylor is considered to have good legal ability and is reported to have good temperament. He is praised for his knowledge of the law and for always being prepared. He has substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters. He is a well respected practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Mr. Matthew Taylor has been licensed in Illinois since 2004. While he has always been a sole practitioner, focusing on misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, estate and probate matters, and real estate matters, he was a full-time Palatine police officer until he retired from the department in 2017. He is currently the village prosecutor for Palatine and continues to teach at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. He has bench trial experience, mainly in municipal and misdemeanor matters, but no jury trials. He is a member of various bar associations and has been a coach for the York High School mock trial team, as well as being involved in other community and charitable activities.

Attorneys did report that he has good knowledge of the law and is considered to be sensitive to diversity with high character and integrity. Though concerns were raised over the depth and breadth of his entire legal experience, he is well respected by the judiciary, his peers and his opponents and is known for his handle situations with grace and decency. ISBA finds Matthew Taylor qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

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

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Men Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Organizing the Data: 12th Subcircuit - Quinn vacancy

Updated 10/15/24 to correct FWIW error on Frank Andreou's Decalogue rating
Updated 9/26/24 with corrected CBA rating on Pamela Curran Smith

There are only five judicial vacancies on the Cook County ballot this November in which voters have any choice whatsoever. All of the other races were decided in the March Democratic primary. Three of these contested races are in the north suburban 12th Subcircuit. This post looks at the candidates for the Quinn vacancy in that 12th Subcircuit.

Candidates are listed in punch number order. This year, that means the Democratic candidate is listed before the Republican candidate.

This post may be updated with new, additional, or corrected information, as it becomes available.

One final note: Each candidate may have endorsements from persons or groups not shown below. These are typically found on the candidate's websites. FWIW only publishes endorsements that it can independently verify.

Frank J. Andreou - #93

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Pursuant to section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for Frank J. Andreou’s current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Judge Frank Andreou was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1995. He currently presides over Calendar D (motion call) in the Law Division of the Cook County Circuit Court where he hears cases involving commercial litigation, medical and professional malpractice, toxic tort, product liability, auto liability, defamation, and other cases. He previously handled traffic and misdemeanor cases before moving to the Law Division. Prior being sworn in as an Associate Judge in January 2020, he worked in private practice for 20 years and for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office from 1995-1999.

Judge Andreou is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his ability to have a thorough grasp of the issues being argued before him. He is praised for his fairness and his professional temperament. He is also reported to be punctual and always prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Hon. Frank J. Andreou has been licensed in Illinois since 1995. In December 2019 he was selected as an associate judge first sitting in the Traffic Division and the Second Municipal District (Skokie). Since July 2023 he has been assigned to the Law Division – Motion Section. Prior to his ascension to the bench, he had been in private practice both on his own and with a firm, with substantial jury, bench, and appellate experience. He is a board member for the Illinois Judges Association and the North Suburban Bar Association, and Second Vice President of the Hellenic Bar Association, as well as being a member of other bar associations. He has also served on the District 27 School Board.

Attorneys highly praised his legal knowledge and ability, stating that his rulings were well-reasoned and describing his grasp of fact and law as amazing. Additionally, they were all positive about his integrity, temperament, and diligence. ISBA finds Judge Frank J. Andreou highly 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): Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134
Teamsters Local 700
United Hellenic Voters of America

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Pamela Curran Smith - #94

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Pamela Curran Smith is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Smith was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006. Ms. Smith is in private practice and has a wide range of practice experience. She is well-regarded for her legal experience and knowledge, high integrity, and good communication skills. Ms. Smith has the requisite experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Pamela Curran Smith was admitted to practice in 2006. She is a partner with a small law firm doing criminal defense and personal injury litigation. She has substantial litigation experience. She is considered to have good legal ability, and is praised for her litigation skills. She is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ms. Pamela Curran Smith has been licensed in Illinois since 2006. Since then, she has been employed, and is now a partner, at the Law Offices of Sam Amirante and Associates, with a focus on criminal defense, tort and civil litigation. She has limited criminal jury trial experience and substantial criminal bench trial experience, including in complex matters. She is a member of various bar associations and serves as a committee chair with the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Attorneys reported that she possesses a thorough understanding of the legal process and is always ready and prepared, also that she treats all with respect, is professional and has high integrity. ISBA finds Pamela Curran Smith 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

Organizing the Data: 12th Subcircuit - Dickler vacancy

Updated 9/26/24 to reflect amended wording in CBA rating for Alon Stein

There are only five judicial vacancies on the Cook County ballot this November in which voters have any choice whatsoever. All of the other races were decided in the March Democratic primary. Three of these contested races are in the north suburban 12th Subcircuit. This post looks at the candidates for the Dickler vacancy in that 12th Subcircuit.

Candidates are listed in punch number order. This year, that means the Democratic candidate is listed before the Republican candidate.

This post may be updated with new, additional, or corrected information, as it becomes available.

One final note: Each candidate may have endorsements from persons or groups not shown below. These are typically found on the candidate's websites. FWIW only publishes endorsements that it can independently verify.

Alon Stein - #91

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Alon Stein is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stein was admitted to practice law in 2002 and is currently in private practice. He has experience in a wide variety of legal matters in numerous jurisdictions. The candidate is well-regarded for his significant trial experience, fine demeanor and excellent temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Alon Stein was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2002. Since 2013, he has been the Owner and Managing Attorney of Stein Legal Offices, where he focuses on commercial litigation but also handles constitutional matters and employment/wages litigation. Previously, he handled civil litigation, commercial litigation, and appeals as Of Counsel (2013-2017) for The Nathanson Law Firm and as an Associate (2004-2013) and Of Counsel (2013-2015) for Kamensky Rubinstein Hochman & Delott, LLP. From 2002 to 2004, he was an Associate at Blau & Bonavich, where he represented customers suing their brokers in arbitration and plaintiffs in employment actions. He is a member of several bar associations, including the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.

Mr. Stein is considered to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters in both state courts and before administrative agencies. He is praised for his litigation skills and for his diligence. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Mr. Alon Stein has been licensed since 2002. Since 2013 he has been the owner of Stein Law Offices focusing on commercial litigation and representation of small to mid-sized businesses. Prior to that, he worked for Kamensky Rubinstein Hochman & Delott, again handing mostly commercial litigation for healthcare practices. He has litigated in federal court as well as neighboring counties and Wisconsin and has served as arbitrator for Cook County. He has written and spoken on legal topics, is a current officer of the Advocates Society, an Assembly Member to the Illinois State Bar Association, and on the Board of Managers for the Decalogue Society.

Attorneys gave positive feedback on his legal knowledge and litigation ability, stating that he has a high degree of knowledge and is a great advocate. He is courteous and respectful to all, with high integrity and diligence. ISBA finds Alon Stein 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

Chicago Federation of Labor
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
Teamsters Joint Council No. 25
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134
Teamsters Local 700
United Hellenic Voters of America

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Maria McCarthy - #92

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Maria McCarthy is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McCarthy was admitted to practice law in 1989. Ms. McCarthy served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for nearly 20 years, where she had more than 65 jury trials, 500 bench trials, and handled 25 appeals. After retiring from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, she served for two years as the First Assistant to the Winnebago County State’s Attorney. Currently, Ms. McCarthy has her own law firm handling criminal matters. Additionally, for nearly 20 years, she has taught trial advocacy at two law schools, criminal law and procedure at a community college, and constitutional law to police officers. Ms. McCarthy is highly regarded for her knowledge of the law.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Maria McCarthy worked early in her career for Freeborn & Peters in Chicago where she defended companies in civil litigation. But she worked as an assistant state’s attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for 30 years. From 2009 to 2019, she was Supervisor of the Third Municipal District. Prior to holding that position, she was the Supervisor of the Homicide/Sex Unit in Chicago, the Supervisor of the Domestic Violence Division and was a Deputy Supervisor in the Traffic Division. She subsequently worked as the First Assistant in the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she supervised the Criminal and Civil Bureaus. In 2022, she was appointed Special Prosecutor in murder cases that are pending in Will County.

Maria McCarthy is considered to have good legal ability with substantial litigation experience in both criminal and civil matters. She is reported to have a very good temperament and is praised for her litigation skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ms. Maria McCarthy has been licensed since 1989. Since March 2022, she has been a partner in the firm of McCarthy & Valentini, where her current focus is her appointment as Special Prosecutor and Assistant Special Prosecutor on some criminal post-trial cases pending in Will County. Prior to that, she had been a career prosecutor in Cook County where she rose to be Supervisor of the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) until 2019, when she left, and subsequently became First Assistant at the Winnebago County State’s Attorney office. She has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience. She has been a speaker and panelist on legal issues and an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Northwestern University School of Law and the John Marshall Law School, now known as the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. She is a member of various bar associations and was the recipient of the Scales of Justice Award in 2019 from the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

She is considered to have good ability and knowledge of the law by the attorneys contacted during the investigation, with a good temperament and character. ISBA finds Maria McCarthy 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): Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Barristers Big Band at Andy's Jazz Club September 30

I am almost positive -- actually, I'm entirely positive -- that the CBA Barristers Big Band will not be performing while wearing British barristers' wigs.

But the rest of the poster is factual: The band will be performing two shows at Andy's Jazz Club, 11 E. Hubbard, at 6:00 and 8:15 p.m., on Monday, September 30.

There is a $15 cover charge. Reservations are required. These can be made via the Andy's Jazz Club link, above, or by following the links on the CBA Barristers Big Band webpage. (Spoiler alert: you wind up at the same site either way.)

CBA and CBF to present annual John Paul Stevens Awards this Thursday

The Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Foundation will bestow their 2024 John Paul Stevens Awards at a ceremony this Thursday, September 26, at the Union League Club. The awards presentation will follow a reception, which begins at 11:30 a.m., and a luncheon, which begins at noon.

Tickets for the event are $75 each (if still available, tables of 10 are $750); click on this page of the CBA website for last-minute ticket purchases.

The Stevens Awards are named in honor of the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, a native Chicagoan and, back in the day, a CBA member. The awards are meant to honor attorneys and judges who have, according to the CBA and CBF, demonstrated the highest commitment to integrity and public service throughout their careers. The CBA and CBF state that Stevens Awards winners best exemplify Justice Stevens' legacy of pro bono and public service in his career and his commitment to ensuring our justice system is fair and accessible for everyone in the community.

This year’s recipients are Judge David H. Coar (ret.), JAMS; Daniel A. Cotter, Dickinson Wright; David A. Decker, Former ISBA President and ITLA President; Nina Fain, JS Schirn Family Trust; E. Lynn Grayson, Nijman Franzetti; John (“Jack”) Jiganti, Madden, Jiganti, Moore & Sheridan LLP; and Justice Margaret Stanton McBride, Illinois Appellate Court.

"This phenomenal group of honorees has substantially impacted our legal community, our city, and our state through their leadership and generous service to The Chicago Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Foundation, and our Chicago legal community," said CBA President John C. Sciaccotta. "The CBA and the CBF are proud to honor this highly regarded group of lawyers and jurists with the John Paul Stevens Awards. Their great legacies, like that of Justice John Paul Stevens, will live on forever."

The CBA and CBF have put out these bios of this year's Stevens Award recipients:

Judge David H. Coar (Ret.) served as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois for 16 years and as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for eight years. From 1979 to 1982, he served as the first United States Bankruptcy Trustee in the Northern District of Illinois. As Associate Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law, Judge Coar taught courses on ethics, corporations, corporate finance, constitutional law, labor law, and professional responsibility. As a practicing lawyer, Judge Coar represented private plaintiffs in the case that determined how Title VII impacted the merger of previously segregated lines of progression in the steel industry. Judge Coar has traveled extensively across the globe to consult on judicial and economic issues and has participated in educational programs for foreign judges in the U.S. and overseas. He has taken part in programs in China, Russia, Nigeria, and Cameroon sponsored by law schools, the National Center for State Courts, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Bar has praised Judge Coar for his excellent legal ability, handling of complex cases, integrity, and independence.

Daniel A. Cotter is Partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC and focuses in a variety of areas of corporate law and litigation, including insurance law, complex business disputes and counseling, employment law, corporate transactions, corporate governance and compliance, and cybersecurity and privacy law. Cotter also serves as a Cook County and American Arbitration Association arbitrator. Cotter served as President of The Chicago Bar Association for the 2014-2015 bar year and is former Chair of The CBA's Young Lawyers Section. He is President of the Advisory Board of the Justice Entrepreneurs Project and a Past President of Lawyers Lend-A-Hand.  He currently serves as President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. Cotter was an adjunct professor at UIC College teaching Insurance Law, Accounting for Lawyers and SCOTUS Judicial Biography. He graduated summa cum laude from The John Marshall Law School and received his B.A. in Accounting from Monmouth College, magna cum laude, where he distinguished himself on and off the field, and was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete. He serves on the Monmouth College Board of Trustees and has been involved in its Moot Court program and co-funds the awards distributed each year. Cotter served on the Edgebrook Public School Local School Council for ten years, including seven as Chair, and participated in two principal selections, as well as overseeing the approval of one of the first school expansions in the City of Chicago in years. He also served many years as a Cub Scouts den leader and Boy Scouts leader, including administering more than 200 Eagle Scout merit badges to scouts. Cotter is a frequent writer and presenter on various substantive topics, including technology and privacy and insurance, and in 2019, his book, "The Chief Justices," was published.  He is a weekly columnist for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

David A. Decker graduated from Lake Forest College, then attended Northwestern Law School, graduating in 1964. While at Northwestern, he was on law review. His first position was with Pretzel Stouffer. Eighteen months later, he joined plaintiff attorney Philip E. Howard. After getting married in 1967, Decker left Chicago and opened his own practice in Lake County. He was a plaintiff personal injury attorney and handled and tried cases in Lake and other collar counties. A highlight of his career was being plaintiff’s counsel in 1980 for the Alvis case where the Illinois Supreme Court adopted comparative negligence. In 1984, as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Decker spent the entire legislative session, along with Phil Corboy and Bruce Cook, fighting the many forces for "tort reform." They successfully defended the tort system. The next major push for "tort reform" was in 1994 while Decker was serving as President of the Illinois State Bar Association. Decker retired in 2001 and turned over the firm to his longstanding friend and loyal partner Craig Linn. He has served as a Fellow American College of Trial Lawyers, the Board of Governors Association of Trial Lawyers, Director/Vice President of the Lawyers Trust Fund and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ISBA Mutual Insurance Company.

Nina Fain serves as General Counsel to JS Schirn Family Trust with cash, commercial and real estate assets in the United States and Europe. Fain was one of the first African Americans and women partners in AM Law 100 law firms, like Holland & Knight LLP. For more than three decades, her professional work in complex corporate transactions, real estate development and finance allowed her to provide effective representation to public and private sector clients. Her public service includes having served as Chief Legal Counsel to the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. In the private sector, Fain's law firm work included representation of U.S.-based Fortune 500 and small cap clients with domestic matters and international transactions in the UK, Europe, Asia, Israel, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. As a law firm Department chair, Fain lead in the development of smart strategies to acquire and retain clients and promoted the recruitment and retention of diverse and female lawyers. Fain holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Science in Education Administration from Northern Illinois University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana College of Law. She became a Leadership America Senior Fellow at the University of Texas-Dallas (UTD) in its Institute for Corporate Governance at UTD’s top-ranked Graduate School of Business Management. She has taught not-for-profit law in the Graduate School of Public Policy at DePaul University and real estate law at Roosevelt University in its Graduate School of Business, while serving concurrently on the Marshall Bennett Real Estate Institute Advisory Board. Fain has served on the board for the Francis W. Parker School Alumni Association, Chicago Bar Association Board of Managers, receiving its Earl B. Dickerson Award in 2020, the Chicago Bar Association Record Editorial Board, where she originated its "History Will Judge" column, and as a Trustee for the world renown Field Museum, serving on its Audit and Pension, Public Affairs, Finance and Endowment Committees.

E. Lynn Grayson is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman Franzetti LLP in Chicago. She has been recognized as a leading environmental lawyer by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who: Environment, Illinois Super Lawyers, and the Leading Lawyers Network. She is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. Grayson formerly was chair of the environmental practice group of a national law firm. She served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois prosecuting environmental enforcement actions. She is national environmental counsel to corporate law departments supporting day-to-day environmental compliance challenges and cleanup obligations. She counsels corporate leadership on material environmental risks and liabilities, advises clients on critical enforcement, regulatory and litigation matters, and serves as lead environmental counsel in U.S. and international transactions. She defends clients in natural resource damage claim matters and represents clients in substantive environmental enforcement proceedings related to air pollution, chemical use, and emergency response. Grayson is the past president of the Chicago Bar Association and served as Co-Chair of the CBA/CBF Task Force on the Sustainable Practice of Law and Innovation. She is a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Bar Leadership. For her work to promote diversity in the legal profession, she is the recipient of the Chicago Bar Association's first Alta May Hulett Award, the Women's Bar Association of Illinois' Women with Vision Award, the Illinois State Bar Association's Diversity Leadership Award, and the Best Lawyers' Women of Influence Award. She received the National Law Journal's "Energy and Environmental Trailblazer" Award and was recognized as Best Lawyers' Environmental Lawyer of the Year in Chicago. She is the president of the Geneva Lake Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the Geneva Lake Museum (Secretary) and the Environmental Education Foundation. Grayson is a graduate of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Franklin College.

John J. ("Jack") Jiganti is a partner in the law firm of Madden, Jiganti, Moore & Sheridan LLC and concentrates his practice in tax planning and representation of families, their businesses, family offices and foundations. Jiganti has practiced law in the City of Chicago since 1964 and during that time specialized in a variety of business and tax matters including tax litigation. He is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and has written and lectured on tax controversy matters. He continues to work with families he has represented for more than forty years. Jiganti has a long history of involvement in Bar Association matters having served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Bar Association and ultimately as President. He served on the Board and was President of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois. He is involved in a variety of charitable endeavors. Jiganti is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and its Law School. He is also a graduate of Saint Ignatius College Prep where he serves as a Life Trustee. As a former trustee, he continues to be involved in Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, a unique school that provides a true college prep experience for the young people in the underserved community of Austin in Chicago’s far West side.

Justice Margaret Stanton McBride began her judicial service as an Associate Judge in 1987, was elected a Circuit Court Judge in 1990, and retained in 1996. Justice McBride was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1998 and retained in 2008 and 2018. She is the Vice-Chair of the First District Appellate Court’s Executive Committee and has served as the Chair and Vice-Chair. She has also served as the Presiding Justice of each of the six divisions of the Appellate Court. She has authored over 2,000 decisions while serving on the Appellate Court. Justice McBride currently serves on the Appellate Committee of the Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, the Illinois Supreme Court's Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee, and the First District's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Since 2007, Justice McBride has been a member of the Illinois Court's Commission. She served on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee for ten years. Justice McBride spent several years as a faculty member with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Justice McBride has also participated in judicial education and training, has served on the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Education Committee, and, for many years, was a faculty member at the Circuit Court of Cook County's new judges' training seminar. Most recently, Justice McBride served as a Cohort Leader for newly elected and appointed judges of the Circuit Courts across Illinois. Justice McBride serves as a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Board of Managers and serves on DePaul Law School's Dean's Advisory Council and Alumni Judge's Committee. Justice McBride's previous assignments in the Circuit Court include the First Municipal District, the Criminal, Law, and Chancery Divisions, and Presiding Judge of the Third Municipal District, where she supervised 19 judges and oversaw the administration of the district courthouse. Prior to becoming a Judge, Justice McBride worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney, and as an associate with a civil practice firm. She earned her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1976 and her undergraduate degree from Newton College in 1973.

A complete list of all prior Stevens Awards winners is available at this link.

90th Annual Votive Red Mass of the Holy Spirit & Reception set for Oct. 2

The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago invites all lawyers, judges, and law professionals to the 90th Annual Votive Red Mass of the Holy Spirit, traditionally known as the Red Mass. The Red Mass has been celebrated annually in churches throughout the world since the twelfth century. It brings together members of the community from all faith traditions to pray for all those responsible for the administration of justice.

Note the use of the word "invites" in the preceding paragraph.

Mass is celebrated every Wednesday evening at 5:15 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, on State Street, just north of Superior. So the CLG is not 'hosting' or 'holding' that event. It just so happens that, on Wednesday, October 2, the evening Mass will be offered in a special way for the Chicago legal community, and the many members of the Chicago legal community, including a great many judges, whether members of the CLG or not, whether Catholic or not, will participate. Thus, the CLG "invites" their fellow laborers in legal vineyard.

I have it on good authority, in fact, that some Baptist judges have attended the Red Mass in past years, though perhaps not all of them have admitted this to their families....

As in the past, the Red Mass will begin with a procession of judges. Judges wishing to participate in the procession should arrive, with robes, at Holy Name at 5:00 p.m.

After the Mass, the CLG will host a reception at Loyola Law School's Corboy Law Center. The reception will honor the CLG's 2024 Red Mass Award winners. This year, the CLG will honor former Cook County Public Defender, Amy P. Campanelli, as its Catholic Lawyer of the Year. Campanelli currently serves as Director of the Muskegon County (Michigan) Public Defender Office.

The CLG will also honor Mary Meg McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The CLG will also confer Special Service Awards on Johannes Favi, the Deputy Director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants, and on Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy, the President and Vice President, respectively, of Catherine’s Caring Cause.

There is no charge to attend the Red Mass, but registration is encouraged.

Tickets for the CLG Reception are $75 each, and registrants will be offered a number of donation options even before we get to sponsorships.

But, yes, sponsorships are available: Supporter - $500, Advocate - $1,000, or Sponsor - $2,500. Questions about the event, or about sponsorships in particular, should be directed to admin@clgchicago.org.

Applications open for Rockford federal magistrate position

It would be an overlong commute for many FWIW readers, but the successful applicant might be highly motivated to relocate: The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has announced that it is accepting applications for a magistrate judge position in the Court's Western Division, based in Rockford.

The deadline for the submission of completed applications is 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2024. Filling this U.S. Magistrate Judge position is contingent upon approval of the Seventh Circuit Judicial Council and of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System.

The candidate selected will be appointed only upon the successful completion of a Federal Bureau Investigation and Internal Revenue Service background check.

In its notice advertising the pending vacancy, the District Court cautions that the duties of the position of a United States Magistrate Judge are demanding and wide-ranging. The responsibilities of a United States Magistrate Judge are set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 636, and include conducting most preliminary proceedings in federal criminal cases; the trial and disposition of federal misdemeanor cases, as well as civil cases upon consent of the litigants; and conducting various civil pretrial matters, including settlement conferences, discovery supervision, and other proceedings on referral from the district judges of the Court.

If this comes as news to you, you may want to reconsider pursuing this appointment.

Being well-acquainted with what a U.S. Magistrate Judge does is not the sole qualification for appointment. According to the Court's notice announcing the vacancy, to be qualified for appointment as a United States Magistrate Judge, an applicant must

1. be, and have been for at least five years, a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, and have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (the Court may, in its discretion, substitute certain other legal experience, e.g., experience as a judge, Magistrate Judge, attorney for federal or state agencies, up to two years experience as a law clerk, for the required period of "active practice of law.");


2. be competent to perform all of the duties of the office; be of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature; be committed to equal justice under the law; be in good health; be patient and courteous; and be capable of deliberation and decisiveness;


3. be less than seventy years of age; and


4. not be related to a judge of the district court.

The present annual salary of the position is $223,836. A United States Magistrate Judge who retires after attaining the age of 65 years and serving at least 14 years, whether continuously or not, shall be entitled to receive, during the remainder of the Magistrate Judge's lifetime, an annuity equal to the salary being received at the time the United States Magistrate Judge leaves office.

APPLICATION & APPOINTMENT PROCESS: Applicants must not seek interviews with or submit letters of reference to individual judges or members of the Merit Selection Panel. All applications must be submitted through the U.S. District Court’s application website at: U.S. Magistrate Judge Application.

A Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and other members of the community will review all applications and recommend to the judges of the Court, in confidence, a list of the persons whom it considers best qualified. The Court will make the appointment of the person selected to fill the position, subject to a Federal Bureau of Investigation full-field investigation and Internal Revenue Service tax check. The Court makes efforts to give consideration to all qualified candidates, including women and members of minority or marginalized groups.

DEADLINE: The completed application, along with the required waiver forms in the U.S. District Court’s website (U.S. Magistrate Judge – Rockford Vacancy) must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2024.

CONFIDENTIALITY: All applications will be kept confidential, except as necessary for the Merit Selection Panel to perform its duties, and all applications will be examined only by members of the Merit Selection Panel and the district judges of the District Court.

And then there were 10....

Every single election cycle voters are amazed to find that they don't have any choices in most Cook County judicial races.

These voters didn't vote in the primary... on St. Joseph's Day... before the first day of Spring... before the emergence of the 17-year cicadas even. They think that, because the election is in November, that's when they get to make their choices. Some don't want to let their neighbors have any chance of finding out what party they favor. Some are resolutely independent and wouldn't ever vote in a primary.

But, at this stage of the election cycle, most of the decisions about who will be elected to the Cook County judiciary have already been made. I told FWIW readers that there were no judicial election contests set up in Cook County for November except for one in the new 18th Subcircuit and three others in the redrawn 12th.

Turns out, I was wrong.

There are the four subcircuit contests I knew about -- that's eight candidates -- and one countywide Circuit Court contest. That would make 10.

Here's the complete list of Cook County judicial candidates who face election contests in November (the links will take you to each candidate's website):

• Frank Andreou
• James "Jack" Costello
• Pablo deCastro
• Tien H. Glaub
• John Hock
• Maria McCarthy
• Lynn Terese Palac
• Pamela Curran Smith
• Alon Stein
• Matthew Taylor

Pablo deCastro, the Democratic Party's candidate for the countywide Flannery vacancy, now has a Republican opponent.

Tien H. Glaub works for the City of Chicago's Department of Administrative Hearings as a hearing officer and, according to her new campaign website (linked above), "helps manage the administrative adjudication at the City of Chicago’s hearings facilities." She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2008, according to ARDC.

Glaub was not a candidate in the Republican primary this past March.

Pablo deCastro was one of the 12 primary winners who were put on the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court this past Spring. At the time, I reported that deCastro, like each of the others, was unopposed in November -- and the Supreme Court appears to have believed that, too.

I am working to find out more as to how Glaub qualified for the ballot; I hope to be able to report further on this soon.

If you look at the Sidebar (on the desktop version of this site) you will note that the 10 names above are now the only listed Cook County judicial candidates. The former, longer candidate list has been archived on Page Two.

Besides Glaub, several other candidates in the new list were not on the primary candidate list. We'll look at these new websites in future posts.

Septmeber 25 fundraiser for John Hock

Supporters of John Hock's 18th Subcircuit judicial campaign are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Wednesday, September 25, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., at the offices of Romanucci & Blandin, 321 N. Clark Street.

Tickets for the event are $250 each. Sponsorships are available (Supporter - $500, Patron - $1,000, Sponsor - $2,500, Benefactor - $5,000). RSVPs are required. To register, email eromanucci@rblaw.net. Tickets can be paid for by check (to John Hock for Judge) or through this Democracy Engine link.

Ratings controversy on Retention Judges website... which is now apparently resolved

This Tweet from the Chicago Council of Lawyers caught my eye yesterday.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers HAS NOT YET COMPLETED its evaluation of judges up for retention this year. As yet, we are not prepared to state who is or is not qualified for retention.

— Chicago Council of Lawyers (@ChiCouncilLaw) September 5, 2024

I retweeted it (look, I know we call it 'X' nowadays, but it sounds silly to say I saw an 'X' and then re-X'd it) but I didn't look into it right away; I was doing something eles at the time.

Then I got an email from someone on behalf of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening (the Council is a charter member): Apparently there was a statement on the Committee for Retention of Judges website that had angered a number of Alliance bar evaluators, to wit, "The class of judges up for retention has been overwhelmingly rated as qualified and recommended for retention by our State’s Premier Bar Associations." This sat above a list of the bar groups (all the Alliance groups and the Chicago Bar Association) which certainly implies or infers that those groups have already issued ratings for this retention election.

You had to scroll pretty much to the bottom of the home page on the Retention Judges website in order to find this statement. But don't bother to try it now: It's gone.

I reached out to the Retention Judges committee to ask about the statement. A little while ago I received an email from Mary Kay Dawson, a consultant who is working with the Committee for Retention Judges. The relevant portion of the email provides, "Apparently the language on the web site was carried over from the previous class website by our web designer and once this was called to attention it was removed."

So the Retention Judges were not trying to claim ratings that have not yet been issued.

When the ratings are released by the various bar groups, you will find them here on FWIW.

Just a prediction on my part: While there will be some exceptions (there always are), most of the retention judges will ultimately be rated qualified or recommended for retention by the various bar groups. Still, no one likes being told what they're going to do before they do it, especially when they're being told by the people they're doing it to. It is presumptuous at best.

Presumably, the explanation provided will suffice to tamp down the controversy. If there is more to report on this issue, however, I will.

You have all weekend to rehearse....

The Chicago Bar Association's 101st Annual Bar Show (apparently as yet unnamed) will be held January 10 and 11, 2025 at the Studebaker Theatre.

Tryouts for the show are next week, Tuesday, September 10, starting at 6:00 p.m., at the CBA, 321 S. Plymouth Ct.

CBA members (including law school members) should contact Jay Schleppenbach at jaysbach@gmail.com with any questions or simply to get on the audition list. Prepare 16 bars of a song that best fits your vocal range; an accompanist will be provided.

September 19 reception for Retention Judges at Plumbers Hall

The Committee for Retention of Judges in Cook County will hold a reception for Cook County judges seeking retention on the November ballot on Thursday, September 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.

Tickets are $130 each -- but, don't worry, there's always an opportunity to contribute more. To reserve tickets, visit the retention judges' website. Organizers are asking people to respond by September 10.

Traditionally, this is the one and only reception for the entire retention class in each election cycle and Plumbers Hall should be (and almost certainly will be) packed to the rafters.

The Cook County Judges Retention site will also take interested persons to a list of the retention candidates, some of which are also linked to biographies of the retention candidates. More links are likely to be added as we near Election Day. Some biographies are more elaborate than others.

That said, there is some controversy about the retention judges' website. FWIW has reached out to the Committee regarding same and a follow-up post should appear in due course. Please stand by.

Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham announces formation of a standing judicial selection committee

Catching up on things that happened during my hiatus...

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham has announced the formation of a standing Judicial Selection Committee. The committee has been formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who apply for appointment to vacancies in the Supreme Court’s First District (i.e., Cook County).

The committee, which will be chaired by attorney Tim Tomasik of of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman LLC (pictured at right), consists of both non-lawyers and lawyers who reside in Cook County. The non-lawyer members of the committee are Dr. Byron Brazier of the Apostolic Church of God and former Equality Illinois Board Chair Dalila Fridi. The other attorneys on the committee are (in alphabetical order) Suyash Agrawal of Massey & Gail LLP; Edward Austin of Edward J. Austin PC; Terri Mascherin of Jenner & Block LLP; Kerry Peck of Peck Ritchey LLC; Patricia Rangel of Rangel Rangel & Associates; Larry Rogers Jr. of Power Rogers LLP; Eirene Salvi of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.; and Andrea Zopp of Cleveland Avenue LLC.

Pursuant to the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies on the Circuit and Appellate Courts are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. According to long-standing custom and practice, the three justices elected from the First Judicial District divide the availble Cook County appointments amongst themselves. The exact mechanism or manner of distribution has never been made public, but, generally speaking, each justice could fill one-third of the available vacancies -- if they so choose. Some vacancies go unfilled in every election cycle.

Justices can fill 'their' vacancies one-by-one or in groups, as Chief Justice Theis is now doing.

Regardless of the Cook County justice making the appointment, appointed individuals have to run in the next election in order to hold their seats. All interim appointments expire on the first Monday in December of the year that the vacancy is filled by election.

Retention candidates urged to seek support from Advocates Society

Received this morning from the Advocates Society:

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is compiling requests for support for retention in the 2024 judicial elections.

If you would like to apply, please send the credentials that you wish to share with the Advocates Steering Committee by e-mail to Steve Rakowski. His contact information follows below.

All materials must be received by e-mail no later than Sunday, September 8, 2024. No late submissions will be considered.

Thank you and good luck in your campaigns.

Advocates Society Steering Committee
L. Steven Rakowski
www.lsrfamilylaw.com
Collaborative Divorce Illinois-Fellow
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
L. Steven Rakowski, Ltd.
steve@lsrfamilylaw.com
Ph. (847) 412-9950
Fax (847) 412-9960