Chicago Council of Lawyers releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released the narratives explaining its evaluation of Cook County judicial candidates in the March 17 primary. (Well, most of them, anyway.) The Council's report may be found by clicking this link; if that doesn't work, they may be accessed from the VoteForJudges.org home page.

The CCL report lists candidate evaluations in alphabetical order. Voters may find it more useful to see what the Council thinks of candidates seeking each vacancy, particularly in (those all too few) contested races. Thus, in this post, we will look at the Council's evaluations of candidates seeking vacancies in Subcircuits 13 through 20; in prior posts, we have looked at the Council's evaluations of countywide judicial candidates and candidates in Subcircuits 1 through 11.

Now that these posts are complete, I'll get to work updating the Organizing the Data posts to include the Council's narratives. Be patient; I'll get it done as soon as I can.

13th Subcircuit

Curry Vacancy

Robert Groebner - Qualified

Mr. Groebner receives praise for legal ability, integrity, temperament, and punctuality. He appears to have a strong reputation among the defense bar. Mr. Groebner has significant litigation experience and the experience to run a courtroom.

The Council finds Mr. Groebner Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Martin Kelley Vacancy

Brittany Pedersen - Qualified

Brittany Pedersen was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009. She began her career in the Kane County Public Defender’s office. In 2012, she began working as a solo practitioner in private practice and has focused her practice on criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, real estate and contract disputes.

Ms. Pedersen is described as a passionate and zealous advocate. She was called a skilled attorney and is considered an excellent litigator. She has been described as knowledgeable with a professional demeanor.

The Council finds Ms. Pedersen Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Thomas Kelley Vacancy

William Kelley - Qualified

William Kelley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980. He served in a clerkship with the Louisiana Supreme Court in the Criminal Appeals Division for one year. Since 1982, he has been in private practice.

Mr. Kelley is considered to have a fine temperament and very good legal knowledge. He has extensive experience supervising cases.

The Council finds Mr. Kelley qualified for the Circuit Court.

O'Malley Vacancy

Daniel Naranjo - Qualified

Daniel Naranjo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he worked as an Assistant Public Defender III in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office for 25 years, and prior to that he worked in private practice for three years.

Mr. Naranjo is praised for his legal knowledge and ability, and described as an excellent trial attorney. He is considered sensitive to bias, with good character, and temperament.

The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

Julian Sanchez Crozier - Qualified

Julian Sanchez Crozier was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2013.

Evaluators consistently describe him as exceptionally intelligent, deeply knowledgeable, and possessing strong legal judgment and integrity. He is praised for his even temperament, diligence, and commitment to community outreach.

The Council finds Julian Sanchez Crozier Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Mendoza Vacancy

Jessica Velez - Not Qualified

Ms. Velez is considered calm, pleasant and bright. However, she lacks trial experience and it is difficult to assess her legal ability at this time. It is possible the candidate has the ability to become a good judge but on balance, she has not demonstrated that ability sufficiently to be recommended at this time.

The Council finds Ms. Velez Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

Natalia Moore - Not Recommended

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Not Recommended rating because this candidate did not participate in the Alliance screening process. - Ed.)

Meridth Hammer - Not Qualified

Meridth Hammer was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2020 and the Indiana Bar in 2001. Since 2024, she has been First Deputy General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Previously, she has been an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security and in private practice.

Many attorneys were positive about her temperament and consider her capable and forthright. Although there are some concerns about the level of complexity of matters she has handled in her career, we believe the candidate has shown sufficient experience to find her qualified as a candidate. However, significant concerns about Ms. Hammer’s residency have been raised and the Council is not comfortable recommending her for the Circuit Court of Cook County at this time.

The Council finds Meridith Hammer Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Carroll Vacancy

Amari Dawson - Not Recommended

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Not Recommended rating because this candidate did not participate in the Alliance screening process. - Ed.)

Bianca B. Brown - Qualified

Bianca B. Brown was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. Her diverse career includes service at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, City of Chicago, Illinois Attorney General's Office, CTA, and as an ARDC hearing board member. She is praised for her legal knowledge, integrity, and excellent temperament, though some concerns about attention to detail were noted. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

André Thapedi - Not Recommended

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Not Recommended rating because this candidate did not participate in the Alliance screening process. - Ed.)

18th Subcircuit

Andreou Vacancy

Samuel Bae - Qualified

Samuel S. Bae was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999 and to the Texas bar in 2005. He has been in private practice.

Mr. Bae is reported to have good legal ability and does a good job representing his clients. The Chicago Council of Lawyers previously found him not qualified but believes he has since gained sufficient additional experience.

On balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Chrones Vacancy

Juan Ponce de Leon - Qualified

Juan Ponce de Leon was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009. Since 2010, he has been a Public Defender in Cook County.

The Council finds Juan Ponce de Leon Qualified for the Circuit Court.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

Sara McGann - Qualified

(This evaluation was issued prior to Judge McGann's appointment to the bench. - Ed.) Sara McGann was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009. She serves as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, focusing on appellate law.

Ms. McGann is described as thoughtful and intelligent. She is consistently composed and professional. She is considered a mentor because of her knowledge, communication skills and approachability.

The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Kane Vacancy

Monica Gail Somerville - Qualified

Monica Gail Somerville was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. Ms. Somerville is presently a staff attorney with Cabrini Green Legal Aid. She has had a varied career, including service in a variety of capacities with the City of Chicago, as an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, a senior attorney with the Cook County Forest Preserve, litigation counsel with the ARDC, and an attorney with the USPS Law Department.

Ms. Somerville is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her supervisor skills and for her ability to manage complex government programs. She has litigation experience. She is reported to have a good temperament.

The Council finds Ms. Somerville Qualified for the Circuit Court.

John Harkins - Not Recommended

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Not Recommended rating. - Ed.)

Dave Condron - Qualified

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Qualified rating. - Ed.)

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

Michael J. Zink - Qualified

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Qualified rating. - Ed.)

Miller Vacancy

Jon Stromsta - Qualified

Jon K. Stromsta was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. He is currently an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and is a panel arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Previously, he was with the Office of the State Appellate Defender and an attorney for the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare and Pension Funds.

Mr. Stromsta is praised for his demeanor and integrity. Mr. Stromsta is considered to have good legal ability and is widely respected for his knowledge of the law in a variety of areas.

The Council finds Jon Stromsta Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Belle Katubig - Qualified

(The Council's list of evaluation narratives does not include a narrative for this candidate, but FWIW can confirm that the Council gave this candidate a Qualified rating. - Ed.)

Updated grids for subcircuit candidates issued by the Alliance

The 13-member Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening has released updated candidate ratings for the forthcoming primary. This post will cover Alliance ratings of subcircuit judicial candidates; updated Alliance ratings of countywide judicial candidates are covered in this post. The ratings are now essentially complete; the "blanks" that remain in the grids exist because a few candidates are pursuing appeals of their ratings with the issuing bar group. (While the Alliance conducts joint investigations and interviews of Cook County judicial candidates, each bar group issues its own ratings and has its own process for addressing appeals from those ratings.)

The grids reproduced below and in the countywide ratings post show ratings for every candidate in the Democratic Primary. There are no ratings of Republican candidates because no one filed to run for any judicial vacancy in the 2026 Cook County Republican primary. At least when it comes to judicial elections, there is no two-party system in our fair county.

The list of subcircuit candidates that follows here is deceptively long. Every person living in Cook County lives in one of 20 Subcircuits. A voter can only vote for subcircuit candidates in his or her home subcircuit. Depending on your subcircuit, you may have one vacancy to fill; you may have none. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. Many other subcircuit vacancies are uncontested as well.

The ratings issued by each of the bar associations that together comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

With all these explanations in mind, herewith the Alliance grids for 2026 subcircuit candidates (click to enlarge or clarify any image):

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

CBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA has not released any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary because there are no candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County via the Republican primary.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of 20 judicial subcircuits. Voters can only choose among candidates in the subcircuits where they reside (and, of course, only if they vote in the Democratic primary). Not every subcircuit has a vacancy to be filled. And, as you will see, even in those subcircuits where there are vacancies, many of those vacancies are uncontested (only one candidate filed). In this post, FWIW looks at the CBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13-20. The CBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. A post on the CBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 1-11 can be found at this link.

13th Subcircuit

Curry, Jr. Vacancy

ROBERT “BOB” GROEBNER - QUALIFIED

Robert Groebner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Groebner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for his entire career. He has had many assignments, including as a misdemeanor and felony trial assistant. For the past 11 years, he has been assigned to preliminary hearings, bond court, and pre-trial release hearings. Mr. Groebner is well respected by judges whom he appears before, colleagues and adversaries. He has substantial trial and litigation experience and has a strong knowledge of criminal law and the research skills to learn new areas. He is also noted for his good demeanor and temperament.

M. Kelley Vacancy

BRITTANY MICHELLE PEDERSON - QUALIFIED

Brittany Michelle Pedersen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Pedersen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. She is currently a trial attorney focusing primarily on criminal defense, representing individuals charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses. She is highly regarded for her commitment to pro bono service and active community involvement. Ms. Pedersen possesses a solid foundation of trial and legal experience and is well-respected for her legal ability, diligence, and demeanor.

T. Kelley Vacancy

WILLIAM F. KELLEY - QUALIFIED

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 [Kelley's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

O'Malley Vacancy

DAN NARANJO - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Naranjo's appointment to the bench in mid-2025 - Ed.) Dan Naranjo is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Naranjo was admitted to practice law in Florida in 1997 and in Illinois in 1998. He joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office in 2000. He has handled misdemeanor and felony matters and is currently assigned to the Multiple Defendant Division. Mr. Naranjo is respected by lawyers and judges before whom he has appeared for his calm demeanor, legal knowledge and diligence. Daniel Naranjo is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

JULIAN SANCHEZ CROZIER - QUALIFIED

Julian Sanchez Crozier is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Crozier was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2013. He worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for five years. He has been a partner at Ciesielski, Soukaras, and Crozier Law, LLC for seven years handling criminal defense. Mr. Crozier has considerable trial experience in both civil and criminal courts. He is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, demeanor and temperament, and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mendoza Vacancy

JESSICA KARINA VELEZ - NOT RECOMMENDED

Jessica Karina Velez is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Velez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2012. She is currently the Deputy General Counsel at the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Prior to that, she worked at two tort defense firms. The Committee was impressed with the candidate’s integrity, diligence, judicial temperament, and punctuality as well as her dedication to the legal community. However, the candidate is not a seasoned litigator with the depth of complex litigation experience that is required to be a judge. The Committee believes that the candidate can reach the level of experience required with more trial experience.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

NATALIA MOORE - NOT RECOMMENDED

Natalia Moore declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

MERIDTH HAMMER - NOT RECOMMENDED

Meridth Hammer declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Carroll Vacancy

AMARI DAWSON - NOT RECOMMENDED

Amari Dawson declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

BIANCA B. BROWN - QUALIFIED

Bianca B. Brown is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Brown was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She spent 14 years working at public agencies, including the City of Chicago, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the CTA. She is now in private practice. Ms. Brown has been extremely active in bar association activities and has demonstrated a commitment to public service. She has vast trial experience, and is knowledgeable, even-handed, and well suited to serve as a judge.

ANDRÉ THAPEDI - NOT RECOMMENDED

André Thapedi declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

18th Subcircuit

Chrones Vacancy

JUAN PONCE DE LEON - QUALIFIED

Juan Ponce de Leon is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ponce de Leon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He has 15 years of experience with the Cook County Office of the Public Defender, where he was initially assigned to child protection for three years, followed by two years in juvenile justice, and for the last 10 years he has been assigned to felony courtrooms. He is well respected for his integrity, excellent temperament, and knowledge of the law.

Andreou Vacancy

SAM BAE - QUALIFIED

Sam Bae is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bae was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999. He is currently a solo practitioner whose general practice concentrates in personal injury, family law, business litigation and civil litigation. He is well respected for his legal knowledge, integrity, diligence and fine temperament.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

SARA MCGANN - QUALIFIED

Sara McGann is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McGann was admitted to practice law in 2009. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County assigned to the Appeals Division. Ms. McGann is committed to public service. She is well respected for her demeanor and knowledge of the law and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service as a Cook County Judge.

Kane Vacancy

MONICA SOMERVILLE - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Committee's Governing Resolution, the JEC Executive Committee has voted to issue a "Qualified" rating for Monica Gail Somerville's current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

JOHN HARKINS - NOT RECOMENDED

John Harkins declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

DAVE CONDRON - QUALIFIED

David Condron is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Condron was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. He began his 16-year career at the Cook County State's Attorney's office, handling criminal matters, including in the Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit and Special Prosecutions, before moving to the Civil Actions Bureau. Mr. Condron subsequently went into private practice, where he handled matters involving commercial real estate and complex construction. Currently, he is an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor with the City of Chicago's Law Department, dealing with excessive force claims. Mr. Condron is well respected for his calm and professional temperament, his legal knowledge, and his experience in both complex civil and criminal litigation matters.

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

MICHAEL J. ZINK - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Zink's appointment to the bench in late 2024 - Ed.) Michael J. Zink is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Zink was admitted to practice law in November 2004. Mr. Zink is currently in private practice. The candidate has extensive legal experience, his references praise his temperament, and he has a strong history of performing community service. Mr. Zink is qualified to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Miller Vacancy

JON STROMSTA - QUALIFIED

Jon Stromsta is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stromsta was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985. Mr. Stromsta worked in private practice with a focus on civil litigation and appeals, family law, and criminal defense. He is currently an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Employment Security, where he conducts benefit appeals, evidentiary hearings, drafts decisions and review hearings, and prepares opinions for the Board of Review. He is well regarded for his temperament and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

BELLE KATUBIG - QUALIFIED

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 [Katubig's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

ISBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

Updated 2/11/26 to correct typo

The Illinois State Bar Association has released narrative explanations for its evaluations of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The ISBA has not released any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary because there are no candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County via the Republican primary.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of 20 judicial subcircuits. Voters can only choose among candidates in the subcircuits where they reside (and, of course, only if they vote in the Democratic primary). Not every subcircuit has a vacancy to be filled. And, as you will see, even in those subcircuit where there are vacancies, many of those vacancies are uncontested (only one candidate filed). In this post, FWIW looks at the ISBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13-20. The ISBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. For a look at the ISBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11, click here.

13th Subcircuit

Curry Vacancy

Robert “Bob” Groebner - Qualified

Robert Groebner has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since his admission to the Illinois bar in 1999. He is currently assigned to Preliminary Hearings/Bond Court in Skokie. He was previously assigned to the same position at Belmont & Western in 2014. Previously, he worked a felony court at 26th Street, various misdemeanor courts, Child Sex Crimes, and Child Support courts. He has taken CLE classes in a variety of subjects, including DEI issues.

Mr. Groebner is an active member of Stein Collectors International. He volunteers at St. Peter Luthern Church and the Buddy Foundation, an animal shelter. He is a current member of the Cook County, Northwest Suburban and Hellenic Bar associations.

Mr. Groebner’s legal knowledge was praised as he is regarded as the “go to” guy for issues. He is known to be sensitive and empathetic to litigants. In his current position, he has made use of diversionary programs to avoid criminal outcomes. He is calm, even-tempered and respectful. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Robert “Bob” Groebner qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Martin C. Kelley Vacancy

Brittany Michelle Pedersen – Not Qualified

Brittany Pedersen has been licensed since 2009. After spending three years with the Kane County Public Defender, she entered private practice, both as a solo practitioner and with various firms, in the areas of criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, real estate and contracts. Since 2020 she has been a solo practitioner with Pedersen and Irvin, with offices in St. Charles and Elgin. She does have jury and bench trial experience, almost entirely in Kane County. She has been a guest lecturer at Aurora University, a board member and former officer of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and a member of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce. She previously ran for judge twice in the 16th subcircuit, Kane County.

She is described by other attorneys and judges as passionate and intelligent, with knowledge of the law and legal process. The investigation raised concerns about the lack of practice in Cook County courts; in addition, the Committee had concerns about a prior judicial evaluation in Kane County. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Brittany Michelle Pedersen not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Thomas J. Kelley Vacancy

William F. Kelley – Qualified

William F. Kelley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980. He has practiced the vast majority of his career with various iterations of his current firm, Kelley, Kelley, & Kelley. he started as an associate handling minor criminal/traffic, personal injury, and commercial issues. As a partner, he handled PI, workman's compensation, tax, and estate issues. Since 2009, he has been senior managing partner; he describes his current practice as: probate/estate, 45%, business law 23%, tax law 10%, with 23% being business or commercial litigation. He lists CLEs on a variety of topics.

Mr. Kelley is very engaged with community activities. He is past president and a board member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. He was a past president and board member of Rotary International. He is currently a trustee of Harper College. Lawyers and judges acknowledged his wide range of legal knowledge. He is said to be sensitive to diversity issues. He is described as 'even keeled' and calm. The Illinois State Bar Association finds William F. Kelley qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

O'Malley Vacancy

Dan Naranjo – Qualified

Daniel Naranjo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. Effective June 5, 2025, he was appointed to the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Shannon P. O’Malley. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Naranjo served in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender.

Judge Naranjo’s present assignment is at the Domestic Violence Courthouse. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dan Naranjo qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

Julian Sanchez Crozier – Qualified

Julian Sanchez Crozier was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2013. Though not actively practicing he was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 2018 and was involved in several cases during his time in private practice. Since 2018, Mr. Crozier has been with Ciesielski, Soukaras & Crozier Law in Chicago as attorney/partner with concentrations in drivers’ license reinstatement, real estate, personal injury, and criminal defense in state court. From 2013 to 2018 he was with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office – Child Enforcement Division.

Mr. Crozier is a member of various bar associations and has been active in community organizations. Attorneys praise his professionalism, fairness, patience, and respectfulness.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds Julian Sanchez Crozier qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mendoza Vacancy

Jessica Karina Velez – Not Qualified

Jessica Karina Velez was admitted to the Illinois bar 2012. Since September 2023, she has been Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the State Comptroller, where she oversees Freedom of Information Act requests and oversees assistant attorney generals who handle litigation for the Comptroller’s Office. Prior to her current position, she handled general tort cases at Johnson and Bell. She handled one civil jury trial as lead counsel and one as assisting counsel. She has been a committee chair for the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and also a board member for that bar association’s charity. She is also a Regional Commissioner for the Hispanic National Bar Association, and coached moot court for several years. She also served as chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at her former firm.

Attorneys consider Mr. Velez to be bright and quick to grasp legal concepts, diligent and calm. Concerns were raised about the limited nature of her litigation experience and the depth and breadth of her legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jessica Karina Velez not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

Natalia Moore – Not Recommended

Public records show that Natalia Moore was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008 and is with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Moore declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Natalia Moore is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Meridth Hammer – Not Qualified

Meridth Hammer was admitted to the Illinois bar in March 2020 and the Indiana bar in November 2001; her license in Indiana is still active. In July of 2025 she returned to private practice after serving for the second time as First Deputy General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, having previously served in that position from 2019 to 2021. Her duties included employment matters, ensuring compliance with laws and rules and legal research. Between 2021 and 2024 she was a supervising administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Prior to 2019 she was based in Indianapolis, working for several tech-related firms and as corporate counsel for the Crosstown Community Development Corp. in addition to being the lead attorney for The Hammer Legal Group handling business real estate transactions. She has not handled any jury trials, she does report over 100 bench trials and 100 quasi-trial matters. She is a member of the Disciplinary Commission Hearing Board for the Attorney and Registrations Disciplinary Commission and has been a committee member with the Black Women Lawyers’ Association.

Most people contacted gave Ms. Hammer positive comments on her legal knowledge and said she is impartial, prepared and professional. There are concerns about the lack of depth and breadth of her experience and her lack of complex litigation experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Meridth Hammer not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Carroll Vacancy

Amari Dawson – Not Recommended

Amari Dawson declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Public records indicate that Ms. Dawson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005 and is with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Amari Dawson is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Bianca B. Brown – Qualified

Bianca Brjhett Brown was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. Prior to her current position as a senior associate with Pretzel & Stouffer since April 2025 where she is a trial attorney, she has worked for the Chicago Transit Authority as a Chief Attorney, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division, the City of Chicago as an Assistant Corporation Counsel, and as a solo practitioner concentrating on criminal defense and family law.

Ms. Brown is praised for her legal knowledge and grasp of the issues. She has served for nine years on the Hearing Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and is currently a member of the Board of Governors for the Illinois State Bar Association. She is described as professional, a person of integrity, and sensitive to diversity and bias. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Bianca B. Brown qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

André Thapedi – Not Recommended

Public records indicate that André Thapedi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. From 2009 to 2021 he was a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing Auburn, Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Ashburn, Chatham, West Englewood, and portions of Justice and Hickory Hills.

Mr. Thapedi declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, André Thapedi is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

18th Subcircuit

Andreou Vacancy

Sam Bae – Qualified

Samuel Bae was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999; since 2000 he has maintained his own practice, mainly in domestic relations, personal injury and commercial litigation. He is a member of several bar associations, most actively as a volunteer with the Korean American Women In Need program. He co-authored a review of the legal and practical issues of sexual harassment.

References praised Mr. Bae for his temperament, diligence and impartiality. Attorneys reported that he is impartial, courteous and diligent, with good legal knowledge. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Sam Bae qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Chrones Vacancy

Juan Ponce de Leon – Qualified

Juan Francisco Ponce de Leon was admitted to the Illinois bar in November of 2009. For the past ten years he has been a criminal defense attorney with the Office of the Cook County Public Defender currently assigned to the Third District (Rolling Meadows). Prior to this, he worked in the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Divisions.

Colleagues and opposing counsel report that Mr. Ponce de Leon has great legal knowledge and negotiates properly for his clients. He is praised for being professional, even-keeled and good with difficult situations. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Juan Ponce de Leon qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

Sara McGann – Not Qualified

Sara Ann McGann was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009. After spending her career as an Assistant State’s Attorney, in July of 2025, she was appointed to the Circuit Court to fill the resident judgeship formerly held by Judge John A. Fairman who was elected to a different subcircuit. After an initial assignment in Traffic Division in First Municipal, she was assigned to the Sixth District (Markham) in January of 2026.

Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge McGann served in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2009. She was a briefing supervisor in the Criminal Appeals Division and managed Drug and Mental Health Treatment Courts. Previous to that assignment she had worked in various treatment and diversion courts at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Fifth District (Bridgeview) and the Sixth District).

Attorneys reported that she is professional, intelligent and current on legal issues. There were concerns about the depth and breadth of her recent legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Sara McGann not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Kane Vacancy

Monica G. Somerville – Not Qualified

Monica Somerville was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. Since January 2025 she has been a staff attorney at Cabrini-Green Legal Aid handling criminal records’ relief matters. She has also been a private practitioner and a hearing officer for the City of Chicago. In the past, she has been employed by various government agencies at the federal, state, county, and city level. She is a member of various bar associations, including as a committee member for the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. She volunteers with the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and has presented on legal matters at various community and law school events.

Ms. Somerville does have some jury and bench trial experience, although the majority is not recent. Attorneys gave positive feedback on her legal knowledge and ability, her open-mindedness, professionalism and impartiality. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall experience and her lack of recent trial experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Monica G. Somerville not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

John Harkins – Not Recommended

Public Records show that John Harkins was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2018 and is with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office representing the Sheriff’s office in courtrooms throughout the county.

Because he has less than the required ten years of attorney licensure and active legal practice, the Illinois State Bar Association finds John Harkins not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Dave Condron – Qualified

David Richard Condron was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Presently he is an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor with the City of Chicago’s Department of Law, defending Chicago Police officers named in civil rights claims. From 2018 to 2013 he was an Associate Counsel with O’Rourke Hogan Fowler & Dwyer with concentrations in construction, mechanics lien and commercial real estate litigation. From 2017 to 2018 he was with Conklin & Conklin handling eminent domain matters on behalf of the State of Illinois. From 2001 to 2017 he was with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony cases.

Mr. Condron has been praised for his legal knowledge by supervisors and opponents and has been described as treating everyone with respect and dignity even during difficult and emotional trials. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dave Condron qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

Michael J. Zink – Qualified

Michael J. Zink was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. In December 2024 he was appointed to fill the vacancy of the retirement of Judge David Haracz. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Zink had twenty years of experience in private practice having served as an equity partner and associate at Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells. He has been published extensively in legal journals and newsletters and presented CLE programs for the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Judge Zink’s present assignment is in First Municipal in a non-jury civil room where, among other matters, hears cases involving personal injury, subrogation, property damage, landlord/tenant, credit card debt, and breach of contract. Additionally, he fills in whenever there is a shortage of judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Michael J. Zink qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Miller Vacancy

Jon Stromsta – Qualified

Jon Karl Stromsta was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. In addition to his position with the Illinois Department of Employment Security as an Administrative Law Judge since 2022, he is a Panel Arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. From 2010 to 2024, he was a partner with the Enterprise Law Group in Northfield with concentration in civil and criminal defense litigation and appellate practice. From 2008 to 2010 he practiced family law and general civil litigation and criminal defense at Pasulka & Associates.

From 2004 to 2008 he was with the Office of the State Appellate Defender – Capital Litigation Division / Post Conviction Unit. Mr. Stromsta is praised for his legal knowledge and ability and character and temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jon Stromsta qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Belle Katubig - Qualified

Belle Lourdes Katubig was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. She has been with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2018 representing the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Health. She does have jury trial experience, has been a speaker on legal issues, and is a member of various bar associations and community groups. She has also served on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Committee on Professional Responsibility.

Respondents spoke highly of Ms. Katubig’s legal knowledge and ability, her sensitivity to diversity and bias, her character, impartiality and integrity, and her temperament. The Illinois State Bar Associations finds Belle Katubig qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Congratulations to the presumptive winners... but....

I mentioned earlier today that Steven Q. McKenzie, Ava George Stewart, and Judge D'Anthony "Tony" Thedford are running unopposed in the Democratic Primary for their respective countywide vacancies and that Judge Judith C. Rice is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary for the Hoffman vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court. I mentioned, too, that -- no Republicans having filed in any of these races (indeed, no Republicans having filed in any Cook County judicial race) -- these individuals are almost certain to be elected a year from now, on the first Tuesday of November 2026.

My congratulations to each of these candidates and also to each of the following subcircuit candidates, who also remain unopposed after the filing period closed yesterday:

• John Carroll - 3rd Subcircuit - Murphy vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Kim Przekota - 11th Subcircuit - Roberts vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Robert "Bob" Groebner - 13th Subcircuit - Curry, Jr. vacancy;
• Brittany Michelle Pedersen - 13th Subcircuit - Martin C. Kelley vacancy;
• William F. Kelley - 13th Subcircuit - Thomas J. Kelley vacancy;
• Dan Naranjo - 13th Subcircuit - O'Malley vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Julian Sanchez Crozier - 16th Subcircuit - Converted from the Associate Judgeship of Callie L. Baird;
• Jessica Karina Velez - 16th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Patricia Mendoza;


• Sam Bae - 18th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Frank J. Andreou;


• Sara McGann - 19th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. John A. Fairman (appointed to this vacancy in July by the Illinois Supreme Court); and


• Michael J. Zink - 20th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. David E. Haracz (appointed to this vacancy last year by the Illinois Supreme Court).

That's 11 uncontested subcircuit vacancies so far, out of a total of 23. (It was 22, but we have to add in the new Ross vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit.)

Anyway -- before objections are filed to anyone's nominating petitions -- before any electoral board proceedings that may further diminish the field of candidates -- already three of the five countywide vacancies and nearly half of the subcircuit vacancies are uncontested. That's great for the candidates in question... and I do mean that... but is this news equally great for the voters? What does this say about how lawyers view judicial service? Or about the costs and sacrifices necessary to attain the bench? What does this say about the health of our political process generally? I don't pretend to have anwers to these questions, but I have significant concerns.

Thirty two candidates file for 22 subcircuit vacancies

There are currently vacancies in 10 of Cook County's 20 judicial subcircuits. The 13th Subcircuit has the most vacancies (four), while the 1st, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th all have two each.

Yesterday, on the first day nominating petitions were accepted for the 2026 primaries, 32 candidates filed for these 22 vacancies. (The last day for candidate filing for these vacancies is November 3.)

Several of the vacancies are so far uncontested; we will come to these.

But four candidates filed for the 19th Subcircuit vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael J. Kane. The candidates filing there are Monica Somerville, Dave Condron, Jessica Megan Scheller, and John Harkins. Somerville was a candidate for a countywide vacancy in 2022; the other three appear to be making their first bids for election to the bench.

Three candidates filed for the Walker vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit. These are Judge Ginger Odom, who was appointed to this vacancy by the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this year; Tiffany N. Brooks, who ran for a 5th Subcircuit vacancy (under the old map) in 2022; and Ashley Greer Shambley, who has not previously sought election to the bench.

So far, there are other contested races in the 3rd Subcircuit (Sherlock vacancy), where Martin Douglas Reggi and Rachel Marrello have both filed; in the 8th Subcircuit (Mikva vacancy), where Dan Balanoff has filed to run against Judge Lester Finkle, who holds this seat pursuant to Supreme Court appointment; and in the 11th Subcircuit (Meyerson vacancy), where Jarrett Knox and John R. Carrozza have both filed.

Both of the races in the 17th Subcircuit drew two candidates on the first day of filing. In the race for the vacancy created by the election of Associate Judge Lloyd J. Brooks to a full Circuit seat, Meridith Hammer and Natalia Moore have both filed. Bianca B. Brown and Amari Dawson have both filed for the other 17th Subcircuit vacancy, created by the retirement of Associate Judge James R. Carroll.

Subcircuit candidates who are so far unopposed are:

• Radiance Ward - 1st Subcircuit - Balanoff vacancy;


• John Carroll - 3rd Subcircuit - Murphy vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Kathleen Cunniff Ori - 8th Subcircuit - Gamrath vacancy;


• Kim Przekota - 11th Subcircuit - Roberts vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Robert "Bob" Groebner - 13th Subcircuit - Curry, Jr. vacancy;
• Brittany Michelle Pedersen - 13th Subcircuit - Martin C. Kelley vacancy;
• William F. Kelley - 13th Subcircuit - Thomas J. Kelley vacancy;
• Dan Naranjo - 13th Subcircuit - O'Malley vacancy (appointed to this vacancy earlier this year by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Julian Sanchez Crozier - 16th Subcircuit - Converted from the Associate Judgeship of Callie L. Baird;
• Jessica Karina Velez - 16th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Patricia Mendoza;


• Sam Bae - 18th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Frank J. Andreou;
• Juan Ponce de Leon - 18th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Jeffrey G. Chrones;


• Sara McGann - 19th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. John A. Fairman (appointed to this vacancy in July by the Illinois Supreme Court);


• Michael J. Zink - 20th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. David E. Haracz (appointed to this vacancy last year by the Illinois Supreme Court); and
• Jon Stromsta - 20th Subcircuit - Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Stephanie K. Miller.

Candidate profiles and websites to come in due course.

Daniel Naranjo appointed to fill 13th Subcircuit vacancy

In an Order entered earlier this week, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed long-time Assistant Public Defender Daniel Naranjo to the 13th Subcircuit vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Shannon P. O'Malley.

The appointment is effective June 5 and terminates on December 7, 2026.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1998, according to ARDC, Naranjo has served in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender since 2000, according to a press release issued by the Illinois Suprem Court in conjunction with the appointment.

Naranjo currently serves as a member of the Multiple Defendant Division where he represented individuals charged in multiple offender felony cases. He previously worked in the Felony Trial Division from 2008 to 2020, handling a large volume of felony matters ranging from retail theft to first degree murder cases. Before that, from 2000 to 2008, Naranjo oversaw domestic violence, traffic, and misdemeanor cases.

Naranjo has not previously run for judge in Cook County, but, according to the Supreme Court, he has served on Judicial Evaluation Committees for both the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois and the Puerto Rican Bar Association. He is a member of the Barrington Rotary Club and coaches the first ever Barrington High School Mock Trial team.

Naranjo's appointment was made pursuant to an application process announced by Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham in December 2024.

Justice Cunningham announces application process for three Circuit Court vacancies

Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham has announced an application process for three Circuit Court vacancies, one countywide, and one each in the 1st and 13th Subcircuits.

The countywide vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Mary Ellen Coghlan (vacant effective September 1, 2024). The 1st subcircuit vacancy was created by the election of Judge Carl A. Walker to the Illinois Appellate Court. The 13th Subcircuit vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Shannon P. O’Malley. (Yes, Judge O'Malley was defeated for retention, but he chose to retire as of November 30, before his term expired.)

The Supreme Court's press release about this new application process notes that applicants will be screened by Justice Cunningham's new screening committee.

Applications for any of these vacancies can be downloaded from this page of the Supreme Court website. Completed applications must be submitted electronically. The deadline for filing for any of these three vacancies is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

The persons appointed to fill the vacancies will serve until the first Monday in December following the November 2026 election.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois, and a resident of the county or subcircuit at the time of the appointment.

Only one retention judge in jeopardy... but how much does it matter?

Judge Shannon O'Malley's retention bid is still uncertain at this hour, but he is the only retention judge in jeopardy. All other judges on the ballot Tuesday appear to have been retained.

O'Malley is in count-every-vote territory, as he teeters perilously close to the 60% + 1 threshhold.

A couple of quick snapshots: Yesterday afternoon, O'Malley was under the mark, with 59.97% of the votes then counted, 778,061 "Yes" votes out of a total of 1,297,398 votes in re O'Malley. This afternoon, Frank Calabrese supplied updated figures, showing that O'Malley had edged up slightly, with 785,165 "Yes" votes out of a new total of 1,308,805 votes. That translates to 59.99%. But there's no rounding in retention races. Calabrese calculated that O'Malley was 118 votes down.

There are new numbers this evening. O'Malley has been above the water line in the suburban numbers right along:

But O'Malley's numbers have hovered around 55% in City returns, and these latest numbers are consistent:

The new total is 1,317,063, and O'Malley now has 790,461 "Yes" votes, translating to 60.02%.

Which, ordinarily, would have to be good news for Judge O'Malley. Granted,there are still votes to be counted. The Chicago Board of Elections tweeted out tonight that there are 91,340 uncounted ballots. I don't know the current County numbers. But the trend would appear, for the moment, to be O'Malley's friend.

But does it really matter that much? Injustice Watch has reported that Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has referred Judges O'Malley and E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. to the Judicial Inquiry Board because of the Injustice Watch report last month, questioning whether these judges actually live in Cook County:

On Wednesday, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans took the rare step of referring two judges for investigations before the Judicial Inquiry Board. We reported in October both judges claimed homeowner property tax exemptions on homes in Will County. https://t.co/qdofQITs26

— Injustice Watch (@injusticewatch) November 7, 2024

I suspect that, long before the reported referral, JIB was already keenly aware of the residency questions raised by Injustice Watch. While the JIB investigation process is confidential, and will remain confidential unless and until JIB brings charges against either judge before the Illinois Courts Commission, the Injustice Watch report itself and the subsequent revelations by bar groups scrambling to investigate this real-life October surprise, create very troubling questions about whether O'Malley or Wright are in fact eligible for judicial service in Cook County.

In other words, O'Malley could win retention... and still lose his job.

I don't know all the facts. I don't know where Judge O'Malley or Judge Wright actually lived, whatever public records may have shown. I don't know what either may try to prove, or argue, or raise. If charges are brought against either or both of them, I don't know what the Courts Commission might do.

However, under the unusual circumstances here, checking every update seems kind of beside the point. FWIW will check in on this again. But whether O'Malley stays over 60% is not necessarily the main story here.

Supreme Court gives seven judicial candidates a head start on their judicial careers

In a series of orders entered yesterday, the Supreme Court appointed seven individuals, not currently serving on the bench, to the judicial vacancies they are seeking in uncontested primaries.

Specifically, unopposed countywide candidate Jennifer P. Callahan (Raines vacancy) was appointed to the Raines vacancy.

Unopposed 4th Subcircuit candidate Koula A. Fournier (Maloney vacancy) was appointed to the Maloney vacancy.

Unopposed 8th Subcircuit candidate Loveleen Ahuja (Collins-Dole vacancy) was appointed to the Collins-Dole vacancy.

Unopposed 10th Subcircuit candidate Caroline Glennon-Goodman (McWilliams vacancy) was appointed to the McWilliams vacancy.

Unopposed 11th Subcircuit candidate Dawn Gonzalez (Collins vacancy) was appointed to the Collins vacancy.

The candidates for both 13th Subcircuit candidates are unopposed. Both received bench appointments yesterday. Ralph E. Meczyk (Betar III vacancy) was appointed to the Betar III vacancy; Mary Sevandal Cohen (Steffen vacancy) was appointed to the Steffen vacancy.

Each of these appointments is effective on February 2 (Groundhog's Day, or Candlemas, if you prefer) and will terminate on December 2 -- when (barring a meteor strike or some equally improbable event) each of these appointees will be sworn in for full six-year terms.

Each of the appointment orders contains specific language -- unique in my experience -- that says that the appointee "has received recent positive ratings from members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening and the Chicago Bar Association following the interviews and evaluations."

There are other uncontested candidates, not all of whom are already serving on the bench. Some of these will have good bar evaluations; some of these may also receive early appointments at some point. Some of the uncontested candidates will perhaps have less than stellar bar evaluations or eschew screening altogether; none of these are likely to receive early appointments. Time will tell.

The Supreme Court's press release concerning these appointments is here.

Former Greylord Defendant will become a Cook County Judge

Operation Greylord was one of those bright-line events in my career (Wikipedia, FBI links provided for the Millennials and Zoomers who may be unfamiliar). Before Greylord, young attorneys like me could prowl the hallways behind the courtrooms at the Daley Center, deliver courtesy copies, kibbitz with the judges' law clerks (some of whom we knew from school), and sometimes even exchange non-ex parte pleasantries with actual judges. When I did stuff like this, I felt connected (dangerous word choice there, I suppose) -- well, put it this way: Hanging around the chambers hallways, when I could, made me feel a part of the larger legal profession, something more than just a junior associate in a small firm.

After Greylord... well... those of you with young children or grandchildren may be familiar with the Kiboomers video, "The Floor is Lava." I don't know what came first -- there is a Floor is Lava board game, and a TV game show, too -- all I know is that, after Greylord, access to the chambers areas became much more restricted, even for lawyers having business in those courts. Especially for lawyers having business in those courts. Doors were locked. There was no more wandering about. The floor might as well have been lava.

I still think that isolating judges from the lawyers appearing before them was a mistake: The more innocent foot traffic, the more curious eyeballs taking in the sights, the more small talk -- the less opportunity for shenanigans or skulduggery. But no one asked me. Ever.

In addition to indictments against 17 judges, the Greylord investigation resulted in criminal charges against a number of deputy sheriffs, police officers, court clerks, and (according to the linked Wikipedia article, supra) 48 lawyers.

Among these lawyers was Ralph Meczyk.

Meczyk and his one-time law partner pled guilty to federal income tax charges in 1987, according to this Tribune article by Maurice Possley. I'm reprinting large portions of it here:

Two former law firm partners pleaded guilty Monday to federal income tax charges arising from the Operation Greylord investigation of Cook County Circuit Court.

Lebert D. Bastianoni, 48, and Ralph Meczyk, 36, who formerly practiced in their firm, Bastianoni & Meczyk, admitted they failed to report a combined total income of about $35,800 earned in 1980 from their representation of criminal defendants.

Bastianoni... and Meczyk... both pleaded guilty to filing a false partnership income tax return for 1980 and false individual returns for the same year.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Thomas Scorza said that the two men earned $60,700 from their representation of criminal defendants in 1980, which was paid them through cash bond refund checks sent out by the Circuit Court clerk's office. The charges were brought after the Internal Revenue Service conducted a computer analysis of the cash bond refund checks sent to Bastianoni and Meczyk and determined that the defendants had underreported their income.

Meczyk told U.S. District Judge Marvin Aspen that he and Bastianoni had left the Cook County public defender`s office and went into private practice together.

"We had an incredibly horrible bookkeeping system," Meczyk said.

"Because of our sloppiness and our foolishness, I've realized my mistake. I did understate my income."

*   *   *

The men are the 59th and 60th individuals to be convicted on charges stemming from the Greylord investigation....

Meczyk is now unopposed for a 13th Subcircuit seat in the March Democratic primary. No Republican has filed for that seat, so Meczyk is almost certain to win election next November.

Bar evaulations for this year's candidates are not available at this time, and will not be available until much closer to the March primary.

However, this is not the first time Meczyk has sought election to the bench.

He ran for a 12th Subcircuit vacancy in 2014 and participated in the CBA and Alliance evaluations at that time. Meczyk had nearly unanimous favorable ratings then, as FWIW reported.

In fact, Meczyk's only negative evaluation came from the Chicago Council of Lawyers. It read:

Eugene Meczyk was admitted to practice in 1977. He is a sole practitioner. Mr. Meczyk is a highly respected practitioner with substantial litigation experience in complex matters. He is praised for his temperament and his legal ability. Several years ago in a past evaluation, the Council said the following:

“Without further consideration, the Council would find Mr. Meczyk qualified for the bench. The Council is concerned, however, that Mr. Meczyk was convicted for failing to report income on his partnership and tax returns in 1980. He claims that he and his law partner did not keep adequate records and when he filed his tax return in 1981, he underreported the 1980 income. Judge Aspen sentenced him to a 30 day work release program, four years probation, a fine, and 500 hours of community service. He was censured by the ARDC in 1988, and ordered to permit the ARDC or its designee to review his bookkeeping from time to time for up to two years. Mr. Meczyk was pardoned fully and unconditionally by President Bill Clinton in December 2000. The Council as a matter of policy, is unable to find Mr. Meczyk qualified due to his past felony conviction.”

While the current evaluation of Mr. Meczyk establishes that he is still considered to be a good litigator, the Council as a matter of policy, is unable to find him qualified due to his past felony conviction.

I don't know Ralph Meczyk. I don't believe we've ever met. And I do not pretend for one moment to know whether he will be a good judge or a bad one.

What I do know -- or at least what I think I can predict, with a high degree of certainty -- is that someone in the media, here or on the national level, will, at some point in this election cycle, stumble upon the candidacy of Mr. Meczyk and, grabbing onto the Greylord conviction, attempt to frame him as a poster child for all that is wrong and corrupt in Cook County generally and in our court system in particular.

Yes, we have problems in Cook County and with our courts in particular. There are serious people who question whether our state and local governments generally, and some of our elected officials and judges in particular, have become too accommodating toward criminal defendants at the expense of crime victims and society in general.

But a productive discussion on that serious question will not in any way be aided by propping up Mr. Meczyk as a 'horrible example' and bleating nonsense like in Crook County (har, har) they coddle crooks so much, they even make felons into judges.... I think that's totally unfair. Unfair to Mr. Meczyk, who has apparently recovered from a serious blunder to become, in the judgment of his peers, a highly respected practitioner. Unfair, too, to persons who care about serious issues that are derailed and trivialized by carnival barkers spouting snarky slogans.

And, yes, I realize that no one cares what I think fair or unfair.

But I have here attempted to ascertain the available facts on this subject and to lay them out fairly. Will this head off any hullabaloo? Probably not. But I wanted to try anyway.

Ralph E. Meczyk files for Betar vacancy in 13th Subcircuit

Ralph E. Meczyk has filed for the Betar vacancy in the 13th Subcircuit.

There is no campaign website that I can find this morning; I will keep looking.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1977, according to ARDC, Meczyk was a candidate in the former 12th Subcircuit in the 2014 election cycle. He has applied several times for associate judge.

-------------------------------------------------------
Ed. Note -- Before someone complains, I have already seen a number of filings from candidates who have already been profiled on FWIW in this election cycle. I'm not ignoring them; rather, I am looking for 2024 candidates who have not previously been mentioned. More to come.

Mary Sevandal Cohen to make 13th Subcircuit judicial bid

A campaign website has been launched in support of Mary Sevandal Cohen's recently announced 13th Subcircuit judicial bid. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link will be added to the Candidate List in this site's Sidebar when that is set up. Sevandal Cohen also has campaign pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Licensed in Illinois since 2005, according to ARDC, Sevandal Cohen currently serves as in-house counsel for Pace, the suburban bus division of the RTA, handling civil litigation in Cook and surrounding counties, and representing Pace before various administrative agencies. Her campaign bio notes that Sevandal Cohen worked as a DeKalb County Assistant State's Attorney before joining Pace.

Sevandal Cohen's campaign bio also notes her extensive volunteer work with several charitable organizations and bar associations. A graduate of St. Ignatius High School, Sevandal Cohen did her undergraduate work at the University of Illinois and took her law degree from the University of Iowa. She has studied both Spanish and Arabic.

Sevandal Cohen resides in Barrington with her husband and three sons. She applied for associate judge in 2022.

Joe Gump wins the one contested Cook County judicial election

In the only contested judicial election on the ballot in Cook County -- in the race for the Groebner vacancy in the far Northwest suburban 13th Subcircuit -- former Assistant Public Defender Joe Gump has defeated Gary William Seyring by roughly 11,000 votes, 55,347 to 44,577, according to returns released late last evening by the Cook County Clerk.

A great many more persons than this were elected to judicial vacancies yesterday... but all were unopposed. No Republicans were on the ballot for any judicial vacancy in Cook County, countywide or subcircuit, except for Seyring. All the other judicial elections were effectively determined in the June primary.

A few small changes have been made to this site's Sidebar

The 2022 candidate lists have been purged: All the unsucessful primary candidate websites have been removed, as have the websites of all successful candidates who face no opponent.

Get out your magnifying glasses, folks: The remaining list is very, very short. Because only in the far northwest suburban 13th Judicial Subcircuit is there any remaining judicial race for Cook County voters to decide.

When all the votes were counted in the race for the Democratic nomination for the Groebner vacancy in the 13th Subcircuit, Joe Gump edged out James "Jack" Costello by 161 votes, 11,789 to 11,628.

Gump, pictured at left, will face Republican nominee Gary William Seyring, shown below, in November.

So the new Sidebar candidate list is only two names long.

With the sole exception of this one race, people who didn't bother to vote in the Democratic primary in June were effectively denied the opportunity to participate in this year's Cook County judicial elections.

Looking at the numbers, such as they are, in the Subcircuit races

For Part 1 of this survey, see this post which looks at turnout numbers as a whole and results in countywide races for the Circuit and Appellate Courts.

All of the caveats set out in Part 1 apply here -- numbers will change -- margins will shrink or grow as VBM ballots are received and accounted for. I'm using a calculator and wearing my glasses but accept full responsibility for any addition errors that may occur when I combine results in subcircuits that extend across City and suburban boundaries. Where the margins are now small, when the final results are known, some races may appear to have 'flipped.'

They will not have 'flipped' of course; it is only the order in which ballots are received and counted that makes it look as if races have 'flipped' -- as FWIW readers surely know. The results in the 13th Subcircuit, on the Democratic side at least, will probably not be determined until the last timely votes are relinquished by the postal authorities... although, what was a seven vote margin for Gump is now over 100 votes in Gump's favor.

With all this in mind, we start looking at subcircuit results.

City and Suburban Subcircuits

City-only Subcircuits

Suburban-only Subcircuits