CBA's 102nd Annual Bar Show, "Moo Court," on stage at the Fine Arts Building January 7, 9-10

The Chicago Bar Association's 102nd annual Bar Show, this year entitled "Moo Court," will be staged at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., on January 7, 9, and 10.

The link in the preceding paragraph will take you to the Fine Arts Building website, from which you can reserve tickets for any (or all) performances. Prices are significantly lower for the January 7 preview show. Either way, "Less Politics, More Cowbell" seems like a great slogan for our time.

I'm less sure about the conceit of holding court in a cow barn. I get the joke -- cows moo -- thus, "moo court." Dairy funny. I am udderly convulsed.

But I remember going to court in DuPage, when the then-new courthouse was shut down on account of 'sick building syndrome,' in a barn on the adjacent county fairgrounds. I believe it was considered more polite to refer to the temporary facility as the 4H barn, as opposed to a livestock barn; certainly, there were no cows actually present in court when I was there... but, at least for me, this bar show concept actually triggers a little nostalgia....

Electoral Board finished with judicial candidate challenges

A total of six petition challenges were filed against six different subcircuit candidates, Ashley Greer Shambley in the 1st Subcircuit, Rachel Marrello in the 3rd Subcircuit, Michelle Cunningham in the 5th Subcircuit, André Thapedi in the 17th Subcircuit, Lynn Terese Palac in the 18th Subcircuit, and Belle Katubig in the 20th Subcircuit.

Palac withdrew from her race on November 17 (leaving Juan Ponce de Leon as the only remaining candidate for the Chrones vacancy in the 18th Subcircuit). According to the Cook County Clerk's website (although not yet confirmed on the Illinois State Board of Elections website) Michelle Cunningham has now withdrawn from her race (leaving Stephanie S. Kelly as the one and only candidate for the Ross vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit).

The objections to Ashley Greer Shambley's candidacy for the Walker vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit and to Belle Katubig's candidacy for the Miller vacancy in the 20th Subcircuit were withdrawn. That leaves Shambley in a three-way race with Tiffany N. Brooks and Judge Ginger Odom. Katubig faces Jon Stromsta in her race.

Two petition challenges were overruled. The Electoral Board found that André Thapedi's petitions contained 1,149 signatures, 149 more than required. He will now face Amari Dawson and Bianca B. Brown in the race for the Carroll vacancy in the 17th Subcircuit. As reported here earlier this week, the Electoral Board previously overruled the objections to Rachel Marrello's petitions in the race for the Sherlock vacancy in the 3rd Subcircuit, leaving her in a one-on-one race with Martin Douglas Reggi.

Supreme Court recalls a number of judges to service in Cook County

Updated December 17, 2025 to reflect Corrected Orders entered today regarding the starting date for two of the recalled judges

In a series of orders entered yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court recalled eight judges to service in Cook County, most of them starting December 15 and all of them ending on December 7, 2026, when the new class of elected judges will take office.

Two of the judges recalled and assigned to service in Cook County never served as a judge here. Judges Carla Alessio Policandriotes, formerly sat in the 12th Judicial Circuit (Will County), and Joseph Mac Leberman, served in the far Downstate 1st Circuit. (Since this article first appeared, the Supreme Court has entered a Corrected Order -- now linked -- indicating Judge Policandriotes will return to the bench on December 22.)

One of the orders entered yesterday was vacated today, due to "clerical error."

The other judges recalled yesterday (who are still being recalled as of today) are:

• Jeanne R. Cleveland,
• Sebastian T. Patti,
• Donald J. Suriano,
• Diane M. Shelley (corrected order), and
• James R. Brown

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time in over a decade that any judges have been recalled to service in Cook County.

Section 12(c) of Article VI of the 1970 Illinois Constitution gives the Supreme Court the power to appoint judges to vacancies, but, in addition, Section 15(a) of Article VI gives the Court the authority to recall and assign "[a]ny retired Judge or Associate Judge, with his or her consent... to judicial service for which he or she shall receive the applicable compensation in lieu of retirement benefits."

This language explains why each of the recall orders linked here begins with an acknowledgement that the judge has consented to the recall: Judges, once retired, can't be drafted into additional service against their wills.

It is not just the retired judge who must consent to the return engagement: While it may not be spelled out in the Illinois Constituton, the Court would not ordinarily return a judge to service against the wishes of the chief judge in the circuit to which the retired judge would be assigned. (Weasel words are used here because I can't assert as an absolute fact that the Court has never placed a particular retired judge back in harness despite the objections of a chief judge. Usually, however, the Court only returns judges to service where the chief judge in a circuit persuades the Court of a need for additional help -- if it were otherwise, a recalled judge might show up for work and find that he or she has nothing to do. If the chief judge is seeking help, it would stand to reason that the chief might also have some input into who might provide that help.)

While anyone browsing the archives of Supreme Court orders will find recall orders entered from time to time outside Cook County, the last time that I know of anyone being recalled here was in 2013 (I know I can rely on FWIW readers to correct me if I am in error here) (also, if anyone goes back to the linked 2013 article, the links therein are broken -- but that is not my fault -- the Court has changed websites in the intervening years).

One petition challenge already resolved

An objection to the candidacy of 3rd Subcircuit candidate Rachel Marrello has been overruled by the Cook County Officers Electoral Board. This means that Marrello will appear on the March primary ballot. Her opponent in that race is Martin Douglas Reggi.

Two other candidate challenges may be resolved when the Board meets tomorrow, December 10.

Raines withdraws, Cunningham challenged

The late-opening Ross vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit drew three candidates, but one of them, former Cook County Circuit Court Judge William B. Raines, withdrew his candidacy as of December 3.

One of the two remaining candidates, Michelle Cunningham, faces a challenge to her nominating petitions. The first hearing on that challenge will be tomorrow before the Cook County Officers Electoral Board.

The other candidate for this vacancy is Stephanie S. Kelly.

New Chief Judge appoints new deputies, keeps some existing presiding judges, appoints some new ones

Charles S. Beach II, the new Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, made this announcement last Friday:

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II has announced a restructuring of the Circuit Court of Cook County with the creation of three deputy chief positions. The new deputy chiefs of criminal operations, civil operations, and first appearance court operations will provide guidance on important court matters and serve as a resource to judges across the Circuit. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to strengthen court operations, support the judiciary and reinforce public trust in the Court.

The Hon. Erica L. Reddick will serve as the Deputy Chief of Criminal Operations. The Hon. Michael B. Barrett will serve as Deputy Chief of Civil Operations. The Hon. Mary C. Marubio will serve as Deputy Chief of First Appearance Court Operations.

“Each of these judges shares my commitment to strengthening access to justice for all,” said Chief Judge Beach. “I look forward to working with them to enhance efficiency and fairness across Cook County.”

Included in Friday’s orders, Chief Judge Beach appointed four new presiding judges: Hon. Michael T. Mullen for the Chancery Division; Hon. Tom S. Sianis for the First Municipal District; Hon. Mary C. Marubio for the Second Municipal District; and Hon. Susana L. Ortiz for the Pretrial Division.

The following presiding judges were reappointed to their positions:

• Hon. Maureen Ward Kirby for the County Division;
• Hon. Thomas V. Lyons II for the Law Division;
• Hon. Daniel B. Malone for the Probate Division;
• Hon. Regina A. Scannicchio for the Domestic Relations Division;
• Hon. Judith Rice for the Domestic Violence Division;
• Hon. Donna L. Cooper for the Juvenile Justice Division;
• Hon. Andrea Buford for the Child Protection Division;
• Hon. Erica L. Reddick for the Criminal Division;
• Hon. Jill C. Marisie for the Third Municipal District;
• Hon. Geary W. Kull for the Fourth Municipal District;
• Hon. Kerry M. Kennedy for the Fifth Municipal District; and
• Hon. Tommy Brewer for the Sixth Municipal District.

Chief Judge Beach also signed an order appointing three deputy presiding judges: Hon. Anjana Hansen for the Second Municipal District; Hon. Kent A. Delgado for the Probate Division; and Hon. Kathryn M. Vahey for the Juvenile Justice Division.

Consistent with the structure used in the suburban municipal districts, the Traffic Division will merge into the First Municipal District. The following judges will serve as supervising judges for the First Municipal District: Hon. Sondra Denmark for Trials; Hon. Daniel Gallagher for Branch Courts; and Hon. Diann K. Marsalek for Traffic. The Hon. Ankur Srivastava will serve as Supervising Judge for the Pretrial Division. The Hon. Neil H. Cohen will serve as Supervising Judge for the Chancery Division. The Hon. Abbey Fishman Romanek will serve as Supervising Judge for the Domestic Relations Division. All other currently appointed supervising judges will remain in their roles.

This restructuring also includes the creation of the New Judge Orientation and Training Section to assist new judges as they take the bench. In addition to her role as supervising judge, Hon. Diann K. Marsalek will chair the new section. The Hon. Adrienne E. Davis will serve as vice chair.

The three deputy chief appointments are effective immediately. All other judicial appointments are effective January 5, 2026.

All orders will be available on the Circuit Court website.

CBA JEC looking for new recruits

The Judicial Evaluation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association is seeking volunteers. The following is a message from CBA JEC Chair Jeff Finke; CBA JEC Recruitment, Member Development & Retention Chair Michelle Carey; and the CBA's JEC Administrator, Phyllis Lubinski:

Interested in Strengthening Our Judiciary? The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee Needs Investigators.

The Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) of the Chicago Bar Association plays a vital role in maintaining a fair, competent, and ethical judiciary. Our investigators interview judges and judicial candidates, review professional histories, and help prepare evaluations that voters and judges rely on when making informed decisions.

Right now, we’re looking for new investigators to join this important public service.

Who can serve?

• You must be a CBA member
• You must be a licensed attorney in Illinois with at least two years of legal experience

If you’re a retired attorney looking for a meaningful way to give back, serving on the JEC is an incredible opportunity to use your expertise for the public good.

If you’re an associate attorney hoping to expand your network, sharpen your skills, and get more deeply involved in the Chicago legal community, the JEC offers unmatched professional development and exposure.

This is not just volunteer work, it’s an extraordinary chance to improve our courts, support transparency, and ensure that our judicial system reflects the highest standards of professionalism.

If you’re interested in joining or learning more, reach out to the CBA’s JEC Administrator, Phyllis Lubinski, Plubinski@chicagobar.org. Your experience can make a real difference.

* * * * * * * * * * *

FWIW here, with a few comments:

The CBA's memo mentions networking opportunities for younger lawyers. That may be an understatement. JEC service may give the ambitious young lawyer very specific and meaningful networking opportunities: If you read candidate biographies here, both current and former, you will note that a great many of the successful candidates have served on one or more judicial evaluation committees before running for the bench themselves. One important caveat: You can't serve on a JEC and run for judge. That's an automatic not recommended rating right there. So... you plan. You serve an election cycle or two and then run, taking care to resign first.

What if you're not a CBA member? Well, you could join. (Sadly, I failed to negotiate a commission arrangement before publishing this....) But, also, are you a member of any other bar associations? There are 13 bar associations who collaborate in the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening; each has its own JEC that you might join. (In the coming days, you may see 'pitches' from one or more of these, soliciting volunteers just as the CBA is doing here.) There are also suburban bar groups who are not affiliated with the Alliance who provide judicial evaluations; you might consider service on one of their JECs as an alternative to (or in addition to) service on the CBA JEC.

No evaluation system is perfect. But the quality and reliability of evaluations necessarily (and understanably) improves when more attorneys participate. If you are cynical type, perhaps this will resonate with you: Don't cede the field to those who may have an axe to grind, or partisan blinders, or extreme views on specific topics. Such persons will participate (and have participated) on evaluation committees regardless of whether you particpate. The candidates they approve without you will perhaps screw up your cases some day. Is that what you want? No? Then consider JEC service as a practical practice protection plan.

Three candidates file for late-opening 5th Subcircuit vacancy

Three candidates, one a former judge, have filed for the Ross vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit, the only Cook County vacancy to come within the 'special judicial filing period' in this election cycle.

The candidates are Michelle Cunningham, Stephanie S. Kelly, and former Judge William B. Raines. I haven't found websites for any of the candidates so far, but presumably these will follow in due course.

Cunningham has been licensed in Illinois since 2013, according to ARDC. According to her LinkedIn profile, Cunningham recently became an adminstrative law judge with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. Before that, Cunningham served as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney from 2013 until she joined the PTAB this past July.

Kelly has been licensed in Illinois since 2001, according to ARDC. According to her LinkedIn profile, Kelly has been working as Interim Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for Major, Lindsay & Africa since late 2023. According to her LinkedIn profile, she previously worked in various positions at Chicago State University, ultimately becoming Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer, before leaving in late 2020.

Raines was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014 after winning the Democratic primary for a countywide vacancy. He was the Democratic Party's slated candidate in that race. In 2022, Raines was required to receive sensitivity training and gender bias counseling after allegedly 'mocking and ridiculing' two attorneys "who had appeared before him on a livestreamed court proceeding after the proceeding was over and the two attorneys had left." The quotation is from an Order subsequently issued by the Illinois Courts Commission on December 2, 2022, granting the Judicial Inquiry Board's motion to dismiss its Complaint against Judge Raines. The Courts Commission agreed with the JIB that it lost jurisdiction over the case when Judge Raines resigned from the bench, as of November 6, 2022. However, the action was dismissed "without prejudice," meaning that if the Courts Commission reacquires jurisdiction over Raines -- if, for example, he wins election to the vacancy for which he has now filed -- the matter might be reinstated. See, In re William B. Raines, 22 CC 2.

It is unusual, though not unprecedented, for a judge to resign the bench and later seek election back to the bench. At this point, I have no idea whether the JIB would seek to revive its Complaint against Raines should he be returned to the bench by the voters in the 5th Subcircuit. If there are any further facts that I run across in this regard, I will report them.

No objections have yet been filed to the nominating petitions of any of these candidates. On the other hand, the last day for the filing of objections is tomorrow, December 3.

Beethoven and more at December 13 Chicago Bar Association Orchestra & Chorus concert

Schroeder would probably not understand why the Chicago Bar Association Orchestra & Chorus thinks it necessary to include works by anyone other than Beethoven on its forthcoming December 13 program at St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron Street. Who would need or want Mendelssohn, Mozart, or Schubert in a program so close to Beethoven's Birthday?

And, yet, this variety is promised in the flyer for the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. (click to enlarge or clarify):

Advance tickets are available at this Eventbrite link. Tickets are $20 apiece for adults, $15 each for persons 18 or under or law students. There are fees associated with online purchases, but tickets purchased online are still cheaper than tickets sold at the door. Limited tickets will also be available at the door ($25 for adults, $20 for students) roughly a half hour before the program begins.

Also, for any of you who might not remember, Beethoven's Birthday is December 16. Probably. But it's not entirely certain. On the other hand, December 16 is the date that Schroeder and Charles Schulz always observed.

Most people, with the possible exception of Schroeder, might even consider tickets for this concert to be a good gift for Beethoven's Birthday.

December 10 fundraiser for Jon Stromsta

Supporters of Jon Stromsta's 20th Subcircuit judicial campaign are planning a fundraiser for Wednesday, December 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Gideon Welles, 4500 N. Lincoln Ave.

As the above flyer indicates, tickets are $250 each, but sponsorships (Sponsor - $1000, Host - $1500) are available. To purchase tickets, click here; for any questions, or more information about the event, email friendsforjonstromsta@gmail.com.