I understand that litigants' families are greatly affected by the decisions made in our justice system. Litigants' families are concerned about paying judgments that are entered, and also the potential legal ramifications in the event a litigant becomes delinquent on that judgment. I understand the impact to a child when, even for his/her own safety, their relationship with their parents is limited in some capacity, and how it impacts that child’s sense of self and the ability to overcome personal obstacles. I understand the social and economic loss to a family when a parent is sentenced to a term of incarceration after having been found guilty of a crime.
Our justice system is affecting not only the life of the individual standing before the court, but also those persons who are either invested in or depending upon the potential of that litigant to directly affect the outcome of their own life. Therefore, I understand that nothing done in the court system is to be taken lightly and true justice should be delivered in every matter before the court.
As a member of Illinois bar, I am presently a member of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) and serve on its Board of Governors, Assembly for the Cook Circuit, and as board liaison for the Administrative Law Section Council, Child Law Section Council and Elder Law Section Counsel. I am a member of the Black Women Lawyer's Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) and the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI).
As a community member, I am presently a member of the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs and have previously served as Recording Secretary, Parliamentarian, Legislative chairperson, Mentoring Committee chairperson and Ways and Means Committee chairperson.
I have also served on the executive board of the South Suburban Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national organization of mothers seeking to provide, social, cultural, educational for our youth, and in its Jack and Jill Foundation philanthropic arm whose mission is to address issues facing African American children and families, by investing in programs and services that create a strong foundation for children to thrive long-term. Our community service tasks invest in transforming communities "one child at a time" through activities partnered with organizations such as the Souper Bowl of Caring, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Cook County voters should elect me to the Circuit Court of Cook County as a result of my twenty-one years of individual law practice litigation experience before our circuit court. As a result, I've gained insight into how the public views the judiciary, and I believe that what litigants desire in a court of law is the opportunity to receive a fair hearing regardless of color, gender, age, nationality, or sexual orientation. My clients have been those persons anxious to ensure that their position would be "heard" when appearing before the court, therefore I understand what it means to a person standing before a bench, not knowing how their future will be affecting from a ruling issued by someone they have never seen or heard speak before. Respect is what they are seeking, and what I plan to give in one hand as I administer justice from the other.
Ashonta C. Rice
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