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.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
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.
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: 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
------------------------------------------------------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
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
Mr. Leyhane – the information you published regarding my Chicago Bar Association rating is incorrect. The Chicago Bar Association found me to be QUALIFIED for Cook County Judge pursuant to their evaluation process. Specifically, the CBA issued a statement of the following finding:
ReplyDelete“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. We appreciate your cooperation with the Committee.” (I will separately email you a copy of the CBA’s finding.)
Additionally, I never declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process. As I always believed your blog to be objective and credible, I was disappointed to find that your publication contains inaccurate information. I anticipate that you will retract this article and publish a corrected article to ensure the integrity of your blog.
Please also note that I am proud to be endorsed by multiple organizations, including the Italian American Police Association of Illinois, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2, Utility Workers Union of America Local 18007, Cement Masons Local 502, the Italian American Political Coalition and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, as well as numerous retired Judges.
For more information about me and my candidacy, please feel free to visit my website: pamelacurransmith4judge.com.
Thank you,
Pamela Curran Smith
Dear Ms. Smith -- I have confirmed with the CBA that it has issued a "Qualified" rating concerning your candidacy and I have updated this post accordingly. I also published a separate post explaining what I understand to have happened in your case.
DeleteI understand and regret that my publishing the superseded evaluation caused you distress.