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