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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
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.
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
------------------------------------------------------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
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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
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.
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
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