Former Chief Judge Evans appointed to the Appellate Court

The Illinois Supreme Court today appointed former Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans to the Lavin vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court. That's a link to the Supreme Court's order in the preceding sentence; the Court's press release concerning the appointment can be found here.

The appointment is effective August 17; it will terminate December 4, 2028.

Evans was elected to a then-new 5th Subcircuit seat in 1992. He was elected Chief Judge in September 2001, serving in that role until 2025.

Chicago Council of Lawyers releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11

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, the report 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. So, in this post, we will break down the Council's evaluations candidates seeking vacancies in Subcircuits 1-11. In the last post, we reviewed the CCL's narratives of candidates seeking countywide judicial vacancies. In the next post, we will look at the Council's evaluations of candidates in Subcircuits 13-20.

As soon as these are all done, I'll get to work updating the Organizing the Data posts to include the Council's narratives. Be patient; I'll get this all done as soon as I can.

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

Radiance Ward - 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.)

Natalie L. Howse - 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.)

Walker Vacancy

Ashley Green Shambley - Qualified

Ashley Nicole Shambley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. She serves as a Cook County Public Defender and was previously in private practice.

Ms. Shambley has a good reputation with regard to her legal ability and knowledge.

The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Ginger Odom - 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.)

Tiffany N. Brooks

(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.)

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

John Carroll - 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.)

Sherlock Vacancy

Martin Douglas Reggi - 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.)

Rachel Marrello - Qualified

Rachel Marrello was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000.

The Council finds Rachel Marrello qualified for the Circuit Court.

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacancy

Stephanie Kelly - Qualified
Stephanie Kelly was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She has been in both private practice and in-house in the field of Labor and Employment law.

Ms. Kelly’s career has included extensive experience in handling administrative hearings similar to litigation in other courts and experience supervising litigation in various courts. She is described as diligent and professional. While her courtroom experience is from earlier in her career, we believe she is qualified to transition to the bench.

The Council finds Stephanie Kelly Qualified for the Circuit Court.

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

Kathleen Cunniff Ori - Qualified

Kathleen Ori was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. Since 2017, she has served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County. Previously, she was in private practice.

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

Elizabeth Christina Dibler - 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.)

Garson Fischer - 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.)

Mikva Vacancy

Lester Finkle - 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.)

Daniel Balanoff - Not Qualified

Daniel Balanoff was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. He has been in private practice since admission. Mr. Balanoff also served one year as Chief Legal Officer/Director of Special Projects in the Second District of the Cook County Board of Review (Property Tax Appeal Board).

Mr. Balanoff has some litigation experience, but the Council has concerns about his litigation skills in more complex cases. While he is described as professional and respectful, some concerns have been raised about his integrity.

The Council finds [Daniel] Balanoff Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Katherine Morrison - Qualified

Katherine Carole Morrison was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2012. Since 2018, she has been a partner in private practice, handling medical malpractice defense cases and defense of section 1983 civil rights cases. She has been in private practice since admission to the bar.

Ms. Morrison is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her diligence and work ethic. She is reported to have good temperament.

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

11th Subcircuit

McLean Meyerson Vacancy

Jarrett Knox - Qualified

Jarrett Knox was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2014. He previously worked as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and is with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office.

Mr. Knox is described as smart, knowledgeable, and thorough. He is also praised for his honesty, fairness, and impartiality.

The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

John Carrozza - Qualified

John Carrozza was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. He has been in private practice since 2009.

Everyone interviewed stated that Mr. Carrozza has impeccable character and integrity. He is described as “professional, prepared and polite”. He is calm and even-tempered. He has a wide perspective of the law and a wide range of clients.

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

Roberts Vacancy

Kim Przekota - 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 1 to 11

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 1-11. 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 13-20 will follow later today.

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

RADIANCE WARD - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Radiance Ward is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ward was admitted to practice law in 2007. She began her career as a solo practitioner handling family law cases, before joining a Legal Aid group helping victims of domestic violence. She subsequently worked for the Cook County Circuit Court as a staff attorney. For the past 12 years, Ms. Ward has been an Assistant Public Defender, working her way up the ranks to where she now primarily handles murder cases at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building. She also is an adjunct Professor at Loyola and coaches a mock trial team. Ms. Ward is highly respected for her integrity, courtroom experience, legal knowledge, and her ability to empathize with litigants.

NATALIE L. HOWSE - NOT RECOMMENDED

Natalie L. Howse 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.

Walker Vacancy

ASHLEY GREER SHAMBLEY - QUALIFIED

Ashley Shambley is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Shambley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She has over 14 years of experience as a public defender, handling complex homicide cases. Ms. Shambley is actively involved in her community and various charities and has a deep level of commitment to public service. She is respected for her integrity, knowledge of the law, and excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

GINGER ODOM - 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 [Odom's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

TIFFANY BROOKS - NOT RECOMMENDED

Tiffany Brooks 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.

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

JOHN CARROLL - 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 [Carroll's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

Sherlock Vacancy

MARTIN DOUGLAS REGGI - NOT RECOMMENDED

Martin Douglas Reggi is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Reggi has practiced law since 1990. Most of his experience is in criminal defense, although he has recently done some civil work. The Committee has concerns about Mr. Reggi’s organizational skills and whether he could manage a call and listen to evidence and arguments and organize facts properly to analyze them and apply the law.

RACHEL MARRELLO - NOT RECOMMENDED

Rachel S. Marrello is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Marrello was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000. Currently, she is employed by Cook County Health as in-house labor and employment counsel. Ms. Marrello is articulate, has excellent demeanor, and works well with people. She has handled many intricate aspects of public administration. She served as an elected suburban school board member for four years. Although Ms. Marrello handled simple arbitrations and assisted with litigation matters early in her career, she has never tried a case and lacks the trial court experience required to serve as a Circuit Judge.

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacany

STEPHANIE S. KELLY - NOT RECOMMENDED

Stephanie S. Kelly 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.

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

KATHLEEN CUNNIFF ORI - QUALIFIED

Kathleen Cunniff Ori is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ori was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. She began her legal career as a law clerk initially for Judge Michael M. Mihm of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois and then for Judge William J. Bauer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She then was in private practice prior to joining the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where she currently serves as Deputy Supervisor in Labor and Employment. Ms. Ori is committed to community service and is highly regarded for her integrity, legal knowledge and trial experience, and temperament. She possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

ELIZABETH CHRISTINA DIBLER - 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 [Dibler's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

GARSON FISCHER - QUALIFIED

Garson Fischer is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fischer was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been an attorney in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office since 2005. He currently serves as Deputy Chief for Criminal Appeals. Mr. Fischer possesses extensive knowledge of criminal law and demonstrates a calm and thoughtful temperament. He presents as intelligent, articulate, and carries himself with professionalism. His demeanor is well suited for the bench. Mr. Fischer possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mikva Vacancy

LESTER FINKLE - 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 [Finkle's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

DAN BALANOFF - NOT RECOMMENDED

Daniel C. Balanoff is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Balanoff was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. He is a solo practitioner representing clients in bankruptcy, probate, real estate and estate planning matters. He also served as Chief Legal Officer for the Cook County Board of Review, District 2. Mr. Balanoff’s dedication to community service and pro bono work is commendable and reflects a strong commitment to public interest.

Mr. Balanoff was the subject of an employment discrimination suit in which he and his Board of Review supervisor were sued. The case was quickly settled and no findings resulted. In addition, Mr. Balanoff was found to have violated the Cook County ethics code in connection with his role on the tax board. He dismissed the ethics board findings as politically motivated. Both matters are recent and raise concerns regarding his judgment.

Additionally, while Mr. Balanoff’s work at the tax board provided some trial experience, those matters were relatively limited in scope and brief in duration. Broader and more substantive litigation experience, particularly in jury trials and complex legal issues, would provide a stronger foundation for confident, well-informed judicial decision-making in more legally intricate matters.

KATHERINE CAROLE MORRISON - QUALIFIED

Katherine Carole Morrison is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Morrison was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2012. She has been involved in various other organizations, including the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, The Chicago Bar Association, and Lawyers Lend-A-Hand. She is a partner at Burns Noland LLP, where she has practiced personal injury and civil rights cases on the defense side. Ms. Morrison has an impressive background regarding high-end legal work regarding nursing home cases. She received high praise for her intelligence, diligence, and legal knowledge.

11th Subcircuit

Meyerson Vacancy

JARRETT KNOX - QUALIFIED

Jarrett M. Knox is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Knox was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. His practice has had a primary focus in public guardianship and child protection. He is held in high regard by his adversaries, particularly for his integrity and professional demeanor. His ability to remain calm, balanced, and measured in emotionally charged cases involving minors, abuse, and neglect underscores his strong judicial temperament and makes him exceptionally well suited for service on the Circuit Court bench.

JOHN R. CARROZZA - QUALIFIED

John R. Carrozza is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Judge. Mr. Carrozza was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been practicing law in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, breach of contract, mechanic’s lien, probate and real estate. He has a strong devotion to public service, as evidenced by his involvement in volunteer efforts that benefit the disadvantaged and people with disabilities. He is well respected by judges, colleagues, and adversaries for his legal knowledge and ability.

Roberts Vacancy

KIM PRZEKOTA - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Przekota's appointment to the bench in early 2025 - Ed.) Kimberly Przekota is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Przekota was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. Since then, she has been an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and is currently a first chair Assistant in a felony courtroom, trying serious felonies including homicide. She has considerable practice experience and is highly regarded by her adversaries and judges before whom she has appeared. Ms. Przekota is well regarded for her professionalism, even in highly charged, emotional matters.

ISBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11

Updated February 9 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 subcircuits 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 1-11. The ISBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. The ISBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 13-20 can be found in this post.

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

Radiance Ward – Qualified

Radiance Ward was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. Since 2013 she has worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Homicide Task Force Unit, and as an adjunct law professor at Loyola University – Chicago School of Law teaching intensive trial practice. From 2012 to 2013 she was a case manager in the Office of the Chief Judge. From 2009 to 2012 she was a solo practitioner with concentration on domestic relations matters.

Ms. Ward has been described as extremely bright, dedicated and has a very good understanding of the law. She has a high regard for rules of ethics; is very calm; well-prepared for trial and handles her cases diligently and efficiently. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Radiance Ward qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Natalie L. Howse – Not Recommended

Natalie L. Howse was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Public records show she is owner and principal of the Law Office of Natalie L. Howse with a concentration in civil defense. Ms. Howse declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Natalie L. Howse is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Walker Vacancy

Ashley Greer Shambley – Qualified

Ashley Greer Shambley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. She started her career as an associate in the Law office of John F. Lyke. Since 2012 she has been an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. As most of her experience is in criminal law, she has had some domestic relations practice. She lists twenty-seven criminal trials-to-verdict as a lead counsel and twenty as assisting counsel.

Ms. Greer Shambley has been active in several social and legal associations and an executive board member of AFSCME since 2023. She is described as being on top of the law with tremendous legal knowledge, unimpeachable character and highly respected by opposing counsels and judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ashley Greer Shambley qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ginger Odom - Qualified

Ginger Leigh Odom was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. Effective June 23, 2025, she was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the election of Justice Carl A. Walker to the Appellate Court. Prior to the appointment, she had been an Assistant Appellate Defender since 2004 in the Office of the State Appellate Defender’s Office. In 2020 she was named Director of the Expungement Unit and also served on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Access to Justice.

Judge Odom’s present assignment is in the Traffic Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ginger Odom qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Tiffany N. Brooks – Not Recommended

Tiffany N. Brooks was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. Public records show she is currently the General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a position she has held since December 2020.

Ms. Brooks declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Tiffany N. Brooks is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

John Carroll – Highly Qualified

John P. Carroll, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. Effective May 2025, he was appointed to fill the vacancy of retired Judge Thomas W. Murphy. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Carroll served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for six years with a focus on projects involving policy, legislation, litigation, outreach, and advocacy. Previously he spent nineteen years with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted cases in the Felony Trial, Sex Crimes, Narcotics and Special Prosecutions divisions and for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Judge Carroll was initially assigned to the Traffic Division; in July 2025 he was assigned to the Domestic Violence Division where as a “floater”, he presides over criminal and civil domestic violence cases and emergency orders of protection. The Illinois State Bar Association finds John Carroll highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Sherlock Vacancy

Martin Douglas Reggi – Not Qualified

Martin Douglas Reggi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980. After spending several years as an Assistant State’s Attorney, he opened a solo practice focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation, real estate, Secretary of State hearings and evictions. He has some jury trial experience as well as misdemeanor bench trial and quasi-criminal matters. He is a member of various bar associations.

Mr. Reggi is reported to be fair and impartial and treats all with respect; however, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his current legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Martin Douglas Reggi not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Rachel S. Marrello – Qualified

Rachel Stephanie Marrello was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. She held a variety of positions in private labor/employment firms until 2010 when she joined the Cook County and Forest Preserve as the Shakman compliance administrator. In 2010, Ms. Marrello joined the Cook County Independent Investigator General’s Office as an investigator. Since 2022, she has been in-house labor and employment counsel for Cook County Health. She reports as having acted as hearing officer or presenter for eighty-five quasi-judicial hearings in the past five years.

Ms. Marrello serves on the board of the Bellwood Stray Crew. She was elected to the Riverside School District Board and served as vice president or board member from 2013 to 2017. Respondents praised her professionalism, temperament and sensitivity. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Rachel S. Marrello qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacancy

Stephanie S. Kelly - Qualified

Stephanie S. Kelly was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She has been Interim Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for Major, Lindsay & Africa since 2023. 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.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds Stephanie S. Kelly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

Kathleen Cunniff Ori – Qualified

Kathleen Cunniff Ori was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. Since 2017 she has served as a Cook County State’s Attorney where she is currently assigned to the Special Litigation Division handling cases of labor and employment law. Previously, she was in private practice with McGuireWoods and clerked for a U.S. District judge and a U.S. Appellate Court judge.

Ms. Ori is described as a thorough and talented writer and researcher, having a good grasp of the law and effective at explaining it to other people; is quite competent and well-respected by colleagues, opposing counsels and judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Kathleen Cunniff Ori qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Elizabeth Christina Dibler – Qualified

Elizabeth Christina Dibler was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She has spent her career with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, presently First Chair in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau since 2018. Before this she served in the Felony Trial Division where she supervised other attorneys. She has extensive jury and bench trial experience in complex matters.

Ms. Dibler volunteers in her community and participated in mock trial competitions. She is described as being highly proficient and very knowledgeable. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Elizabeth Christina Dibler qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Garson Fischer – Qualified

Garson Fischer was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. Additionally, he is admitted and active in the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois (2006) and the U.S. Supreme Court (2009). Since 2005 Mr. Fischer has been with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office as a Deputy Chief of Criminal Appeals.

Mr. Fischer has been commended for his legal knowledge; is sensitive to ethnic diversity; is very professional and has received praise from his adversarial opponents for his legal ability, demeanor and temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Garson Fischer qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mikva Vacancy

Lester Finkle – Qualified

Lester W. Finkle was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. In May 2025, he was appointed to fill the vacancy of Justice Mary L. Mikva. From 1984 to 2021, Mr. Finkle was with the Office of the Cook County Public Defender presenting more than fifty oral arguments before the Illinois Supreme and Appellate courts. At the time of his judicial appointment, he was with Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer as an appellate practitioner. Since 1997 he has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School).

Judge Finkle is reported to be the “go to” person; incredibly knowledgeable in the interpretation and analysis of case law; personable; and is sensitive to diversity and bias. His first assignment was in Traffic Division, six weeks later he was reassigned to the Domestic Violence Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Lester Finkle qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Dan Balanoff – Not Qualified

Daniel C. Balanoff was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. He is a solo practitioner with a general practice focusing on estate planning, probate, real estate, bankruptcy, and personal injury. Until June of 2025 he also held the position of Chief Legal Officer/Director of Special Projects for the Cook County Board of Review Property Tax Appeal Board for District 2 where he advised on legal, regulatory and procedural issues and defenders’ assessments. He has presented at various CLE seminars, was a speaker a various Board of Review outreach events, and has been a moot court judge. He reports no jury or bench trials.

Attorneys reported that Mr. Balanoff is capable and articulate in his area, as well as being considerate, patient and professional. Concerns were raised about his limited area of practice and the depth and breadth of his legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dan Balanoff not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Katherine Carole Morrison – Not Qualified

Katherine Carole Morrison was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2012. After first spending several years at Dykema, in 2018 she joined Burns Noland LLP where she is a partner focusing on medical malpractice defense and civil rights/section 1983 defense cases. She reports having one jury trial as lead counsel, two as associate, but none in the last few years. She has been a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee and is a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. She has also served as chair of the diversity and inclusion committee at her firm.

While attorneys contacted gave positive feedback on Ms. Morrison’s legal knowledge and ability, stating that she is well-prepared, organized and patient, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her litigation experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Katherine Carole Morrison not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

11th Subcircuit

Meyerson Vacancy

Jarrett Knox – Qualified

Jarrett Miller Knox was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. He has been with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2019 in the Child Protection Division. Prior to this, he was an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Human Services and an Assistant Public Guardian and worked as a staff attorney at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic and Legal Aid Society.

Mr. Knox is described as incredibly smart, knowledgeable and thorough. He has been complemented as being a special person for staying in Child Protection as a Guardian ad litem and Assistant State’s Attorney which makes him sensitive to issues faced by his clients. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jarrett Knox qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

John R. Carrozza – Qualified

John Roy Carrozza was admitted to practice in 2005. From 2005 to 2009, he was an associate at Spina, McGuire and Okal. He started his own firm in 2009, where his practice consists of 40% criminal cases, 25% real estate matters, 15% probate matters, the remainder consisting of eviction, corporate or building code violations. Mr. Carrozza has no jury trial experience but reports 2 - 5 civil bench trials and 5 - 10 criminal bench trials in the last 5 years.

Mr. Carrozza is a member of the ISBA. He is chair of the Tootsie Roll Drive for the Knights of Columbus. He is a board member of the Sheridan-Carroll Charitable Works group. He has been involved with the latter two organizations for at least twenty years. The candidate received favorable comments from interviewees in all areas, including legal knowledge, sensitivity, and preparedness.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds John R. Carrozza qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Roberts Vacancy

Kim Przekota – Qualified

Kimberly Przekota was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. Effective February 2025, she was appointed to the Cook Circuit Court by the retirement of Judge Mary Colleen Roberts. On March 24, 2025, she was transferred from Traffic Division to Domestic Violence Division as a “floater”.

Prior to her judicial appointment, Ms. Przekota was a career Assistant State’s Attorney in Felony Trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse and Skokie. Judge Przekota is a member of various bar associations and participates in community activities. She is praised for her legal knowledge and ability, trial skills, and having a hard working nature.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds Kimberly Przekota qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

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.

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.

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.

Only one Cook County judicial vacancy in the special judicial filing period

I offer the foregoing headline with just the teensiest wiggle room. The ISBE website shows only one Cook County judicial vacancy occurring during the special judicial filing period as of Friday, October 31. Technically, the last day on which a vacancy could occur and fall within the special judicial filing period was yesterday, Monday, November 3.

The special judicial filing period applies to judicial vacancies occurring during the three week period preceding the close of the regular filing period (which, again, was yesterday).

Only one such was reported. The 5th Subcircuit vacancy of Judge Dominique C. Ross was certified as of October 31.

Persons interested in filing for her vacancy may do so between November 17 and November 24.

It's a very tight window in which to collect signatures and do all the other things necessary to qualify for the ballot -- but this is the opportunity that now exists.

Judge Ross was elected to a 5th Subcircuit vacancy in 2008. She was the Democratic Party's slated candidate for a vacancy on the Appellate Court in 2022, but lost in a three-way race.

Yolanda Harris Sayre to be sworn in Friday as Circuit Court judge

Pursuant to an order entered today by the Illinois Supreme Court, Yolanda Harris Sayre, unopposed candidate for the Cassandra Lewis vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit, will be sworn in Friday, February 2, to that vacancy.

Today's order brings to eight the total number of newly appointed judges, all drawn from the ranks of unopposed candidates, all being temporarily appointed to the vacancies to which they will be elected in November.

Sayre's appointment, like the others, is effective Friday and ends on the first Monday in December. Her appointment order, like the others in this new, and new kind of, judicial class, notes that she "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."

Each of the appointment orders also stress that this is being done as a matter of "public necessity in order to ensure a more adequate level of judicial staffing within the Circuit Court of Cook County." It effectively makes up for the associate judgeships that have been 'converted' into new subcircuit positions -- and perhaps faster than a class of associate judgeships might have been selected as well.

The Supreme Court's press release concerning the announcement is here.

Sayre was slated for a countywide vacancy by the Cook County Democratic Party in 2022. In this election cycle, as FWIW readers may recall, Sayre was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party as its second alternate for any late-opening countywide vacancies. However, Sayre told slatemakers that she was eyeing a run for the 5th Subcircuit so, in an unusual move, the Party stipulated that, should Sayre make the 5th Subcircuit run, Ava George Stewart, who had been designated as the 6th alternate, would skip ahead of those in front of her and take Sayre's place. Running in a subcircuit race turned into a great career move for Sayre.

Yolanda Harris Sayre files for Lewis vacancy in 5th Subcircuit

Yolanda Harris Sayre, who has been working as Legal Counsel to the Illinois State Police, has filed nominating petitions to run for the Lewis vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit. That's a link to Sayre's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the Candidate List on the Sidebar on this site.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2005, Sayre started her legal career in Texas, where, according to her campaign bio, while still a law student, she worked in the Texas Attorney General’s office and, practicing on a Texas student bar card (the equivalent, presumably, of our 711 license), participated in suits against "fraudulent bankers and insurers, winning millions of dollars for the people of Texas." After "working at several large law firms and deciding against that lifestyle," according to her campaign bio, Sayre "took a position with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) as an original civilian trainer of Community Policing and Diversity Management."

Sayre later became the first African American to serve as "in the postion of Attorney at CPD," according to her campaign bio. She has also worked in private practice and as an Administrative Law Judge, including work as a hearing officer or ALJ for the Cook County Officers Electoral Board, the Chicago Board of Elections, and, more recently, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Active in several bar associations, Sayre's campaign bio notes that she is on the Executive Board of the Illinois Association of Administrative Law Judges. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Sayre was slated for a countywide vacancy in 2022. In this election cycle, as FWIW readers may recall, Sayre was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party as its second alternate for any late-opening countywide vacancies. However, Sayre told slatemakers that she was eyeing a run for the 5th Subcircuit so, in an unusual move, the Party stipulated that, should Sayre make the 5th Subcircuit run, Ava George Stewart, who had been designated as the 6th alternate, would skip ahead of those in front of her and take Sayre's place.

New subcircuit maps - Part 1 - Subcircuits 1-5

Geography majors, Cartography majors, and judicial wannabes, pull up your chairs and pull out your magnifiers. The new Subcircuit maps are out and FWIW has them. In this post, and the three that follow (on Page Two - but don't worry, links will be provided below), we provide you with images of the maps for your study. These images were obtained from the websites of the Chicago Board of Elections and the Cook County Clerk (which has responsibility for suburban elections). For subcircuits that straddle City and suburbs both, we have two maps....

If you're keeping score at home, the City-only subcircuits are the 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th, 14th, and 20th.

The County-only subcircuits are the 4th, 12th, 13th, and the 18th.

The subcircuits that have both City and suburban precincts are the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, and 19th.

This will be on the test.

Meanwhile, here is the map for the 1st Subcircuit:

And the City-only portion of the 2nd Subcircuit:

Here's the suburban portion of the 2nd Subcircuit:

This is the map for the City portion of the 3rd Subcircuit:

And the suburban portion:

This a map of the suburbs-only 4th Subcircuit:

And, finally, for this post, the map of the City-only 5th Subcircuit:

For maps of Subcircuits 6-10, click here.

For maps of Subcircuits 11-15, click here.

For maps of Subcircuits 16-20, click here.

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

Wright leading in 5th Subcircuit race

With 86.38% of the available votes counted, Timothy W. Wright III is holding a 4,000-vote lead over his nearest rival in the four-person race for the Shelley vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit.

Former Judge Jackie Marie Portman-Brown was a candidate in this race. She was defeated for retention in the 2020 general election.

In the race for the Portman-Brown vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit, appointed Judge David L. Kelly still holds a just-better-than 2,000 vote margin over Jenetia Marshall.

Most sitting judges doing well in subcircuit races, but not all

Associate Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin leads by a wide margin in the race for the Vega vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit. Judge Sanjay Tailor is likewise comfortably ahead in both City and suburban returns for the Cleveland vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit.

Judge David L. Kelly is ahead, too, but by a much narrower margin, in his race for the Portman-Brown vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit. While many other races report 90% or more of the votes counted at this still-early hour, only 79.8% of the votes have been counted in this race. Kelly's margin is only 1,825 votes.

In the 1st Subcircuit, however, Judge John W. Wilson is trailing Maria M. Barlow by 2,600 votes in City returns and another 1,200 in the suburbs.

Timothy W. Wright, III: In his own words

Timothy W. Wright, III is a candidate for the Shelley vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit. His punch number is 193.

I am Timothy W. Wright III, and I am running for judge of the 5th judicial subcircuit because I can help restore and build confidence in our justice system. I lived my adult life in the 5th Judicial subcircuit of Chicago where I have raised my kids. I graduated from Claremont Mc Kenna College and UCLA School of Law, where I served as Chief Justice of the UCLA Moot Court Honors Program and delivered the graduation address.

I met Congressman Harold Washington my second year of law school. While listening to Washington’s vision of fairness and justice, I soon relocated to Chicago and clerked with the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and would soon join Mayor Washington in the capacities of Acting Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Special Counsel to the Mayor and the first African American Commissioner of Economic Development in the City of Chicago.

I am licensed to practice law in Illinois and California and am also admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. I was one of the international lawyers who went to South Africa to negotiate for the release of Nelson Mandela and was the lead attorney for Sen. Roland Burris when he was seated in the Senate.

I have been found qualified or recommended by all bar associations who interviewed, and I am the only candidate in my race for the Honorable Diane Shelley vacancy found qualified by the Illinois State Bar Association. My mentors like Harold Washington and Justice Pincham taught me the importance of fairness, integrity, and equal justice. They stand as models for the Justice and Integrity that I thrive to aspire to in service to the courts and the community.

I stand for Justice with Integrity, and I see Justice as a verb that requires action. It requires action in the courtroom in listening and discerning truth based on an understanding of the community in which the court sits. It requires action in championing the engagement of the community in the justice system, and a recognition of the justice system as the most important branch of government impacting upon the lives of people in Illinois and Cook County. This is the work I have attempted to do in all of the capacities I have served, I stand ready to serve the 5th judicial sub circuit and all of Cook County to deliver Justice with Integrity.

I have been endorsed by the people of the Chicago Federation of Labor, the IVI-IPO, Democracy for America, Personal Pac, Chicago Firefighter Union, District Council NO. 14, and endorsed or supported by many others including:

• Congressman Bobby Rush,
• Cook County Commissioner and 11th Ward Committeeperson John Daley,
• Congressman Jesus Garcia,
• 16th Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Stephanie Coleman,
• Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky,
• Cook County Board President and Chairperson of the Cook County Democratic Party Toni Preckwinkle,
• 3rd Ward Alderman and Committeeperson Pat Dowell,
• 17th Ward Alderman and Committeeperson David Moore,
• Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter,
• 6th Ward Alderman and Committeeperson Roderick Sawyer, and
• 8th Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Michelle Harris

Bishop Larry D. Trotter of Chicago’s Sweet Holy Spirit Church adds, “These endorsements further validate Attorney Wright as a man of integrity, compassion, and love for the people of the 5th Sub-Circuit. His global experiences in helping hurting people are just what our judiciary system has lacked. We are all excited about his campaign and the future of the 5th Sub-Circuit.”

Organizing the Data: 5th Subcircuit - Shelley vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022
Updated June 21, 2022

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. This post may be updated before the primary as new information becomes available.

Timothy W. Wright, III - #193

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Timothy Wright III is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Wright was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984. Mr. Wright has served in several roles in government and private practice. He has practiced in variety of areas of substantive law. His current practice includes commercial litigation and public finance. Mr. Wright is well-regarded for his legal knowledge and experience, his strong work ethic, and his calm demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Timothy W. Wright was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. Since 2011, he has been a Partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, where he practices in the areas of transactional law, government affairs, public finance, and litigation. Previously, he was a Managing Partner at Gonzalez, Saggio and Harlan (2007-2011); Partner at Burris, Wright, Slaughter & Tom (2004-2007); General Counsel for WJYS, Tinley Park (1999-2003); Associate at Sachnoff and Weaver (1989-1993); Attorney for Business and Professional People for the Public Interest; and Judicial Clerk for Judge James Parsons, Northern District of Illinois (1983-1985).

Mr. Wright is considered to have good legal ability and has litigation experience. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Timothy W. Wright III has been licensed since 1984. Since 2011 he has been a partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood and Boyer, focusing on commercial litigation, public affairs, and public finance. He worked at several different firms before joining his current firm, focusing on similar areas. In addition, he was Chief of Staff to Representative Bobby Rush from 1997 to 1999, and member of the Clinton Transition Team from 1992 to 1993 as Domestic Policy Director, and Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Chicago from 1985 to 1989.

He has been on the Board of Chicago’s Theological Seminary and Claremont McKenna College and was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award by Claremont McKenna in 2019. He is a member of several bar associations.

He is an experienced commercial litigator, with some jury and bench trial experience and substantial complex quasi-litigation before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other boards. The vast majority of attorneys described him as being smart and knowledgeable with an inclusive approach and high integrity.

The Committee finds Timothy W. Wright III qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Personal PAC

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Judie Lyn Smith - #194

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judie Lyn Smith is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Smith was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992. She is an Assistant Public Defender who defends felony cases. She serves on an Illinois Supreme Court Committee drafting criminal jury instructions. She is also active in community service in the Chicago area. Ms. Smith is well regarded for her legal knowledge, legal ability, temperament, work ethic, and integrity.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Judie Lyn Smith was admitted to practice in 1992. She serves as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. She spent several years in private practice before joining the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. She is a court interpreter orientation trainer for the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

Judie Lyn Smith is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her temperament. She has a long career of criminal defense work. Many respondents to this evaluation praise her skills and her knowledge of the law. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Judie Lyn Smith was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. For the past eighteen years she has been an assistant public defender, currently assigned to the Sixth District (Markham). Earlier in her career, she was in private practice, worked in Japan and was an appellate law clerk. She is a member of various bar associations and served in the Illinois State Bar Association Assembly. She has also been a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, serving on two committees.

While she does have jury and bench trial experience in criminal matters, attorneys contacted during the investigation were split on her legal ability to be a judge; some stated she was competent and prepared, but others raised concerns about the extent of her experience with complex matters and her ability to at times be timely in moving cases.

The Committee finds Judie Lyn Smith not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement

"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide

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Tiffany N. Brooks - #195

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Tiffany Brooks is “Not Recommended” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Brooks was admitted to practice law in Illinois in November 2010. She has been employed as legal counsel by a bank, the City of Chicago, and the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. She has also been a solo practitioner, full-time for two years and part-time for seven years during her employment for the City and Clerk, handling matters such as criminal defense, administrative hearings, domestic relations, landlord/tenant and bankruptcies. At this stage in her career, Ms. Brooks does not possess the depth and breadth of trial or other complex legal experience to effectively serve as a judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Tiffany Brooks was admitted to practice in 2010. In 2011 she was employed as a staff attorney at Urban Partnership Bank. She was a sole practitioner between 2013 and 2020. From 2018 to 2020 she served as an Assistant Commissioner for the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection for the City of Chicago. From December 2020 to the present she is the General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Tiffany Brooks is considered to have good legal ability and has excelled in the variety of professional positions she has had. She is praised for her temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that she has limited trial and litigation experience. Her practice lacks sufficient breadth and depth to be a judge. She has been a lawyer for 12 years, but in only half of these has she provided individual representation. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Tiffany Brooks has been licensed since 2010. She is currently the General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a position she has held since December 2020. Prior to her current position, she served in various city positions, including Assistant Commissioner for the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection; as an investigator with the Civilian Office for Police Accountability; and as a legislative aide to the City Council. In addition to her posts with the city, from 2013 until 2020 she had her own law practice handling civil and criminal matters. She also taught at Northeastern and was a staff attorney at Urban Partnership Bank when she was first licensed. She has been active with various bar associations, a director on the South Side Community Federal Credit Union Board and provided pro bono services through various local community groups.

She reports two civil jury trials and two civil bench trials as lead counsel; none in the past five years. While attorneys praised her temperament, diligence, inclusiveness, and varied experience, concerns were raised about her lack of recent jury and bench trial experience.

The Committee finds Tiffany N. Brooks not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

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Jackie Marie Portman-Brown - #196

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Jackie Marie Portman-Brown is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Portman-Brown was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999. She served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney until 2005 when she became General Counsel for the Independent Police Review Authority. She was elected a Circuit Court Judge in 2008 and served in the Criminal Division until she was assigned to administrative duties in March 2020. She lost her retention election in November 2020. Concerns about Ms. Portman-Brown’s candor, conduct and judgment resulted in the Committee's finding of "Not Recommended.” (Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found "NOT RECOMMENDED" for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within three years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found "NOT RECOMMENDED" without hearing. -- Ed.)

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Jackie Marie Portman-Brown was elected to the bench in 2008 and left the bench in 2020. Prior to becoming a judge, she was general counsel at the Independent Police Review Authority from 2005 to 2008. From 1998 to 2005, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Former Judge Portman-Brown has served as the Presiding Judge of Adult Redeploy Illinois for the First Municipal District as well as the Presiding Judge of the State’s Attorney Office Deferred Prosecution Program. Some attorneys report that she is knowledgeable about the law and innovative, and that she applies the law with compassion. But other attorneys noted a pattern of judicial behavior demonstrating a lack of professionalism and some accused her of pre-judging cases.

In 2020, the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court referred a matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board. In a highly publicized situation Judge Portman-Brown had her grandniece locked in the lockup behind her courtroom as part of a discipline. Judge Portman-Brown has expressed regret for her actions; the JIB investigation is ongoing.

Her behavior on the bench has been described by some as quirky, but effective. Some lawyers praised her fairness on the bench in criminal law matters – particularly during the time after 2018 when she was assigned to a primarily narcotics courtroom in the Felony Trial Criminal Division. Her detractors say she is erratic and unpredictable. The Council has balanced the positive reviews Judge Portman has received against those who question her judgment. The Council on balance finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Jackie Marie Portman-Brown has been licensed since 1999. She served as a prosecutor and general counsel of the Independent Police Review Authority before her election to the circuit court in 2008 and retention in 2014. As a judge, she was assigned for First Municipal and the Criminal Division. From February 2012 until February 2019, she presided over the Deferred Prosecution Court while simultaneously presiding over the Adult Redeploy Illinois Court until that program was terminated in October 2018. In November 2020 she was defeated for retention after being reassigned in March 2020 to First Municipal, administrative duties, pending the resolution of a complaint filed with the Judicial Inquiry Board after a well-publicized situation where she allowed her grandniece to be locked in the holding cell behind the courtroom as an act of discipline.

Attorneys varied widely regarding her tenure on the bench in their assessment of her legal knowledge and ability. Some reported she had good legal knowledge, others that she did not know the law or misapplied it. Many raised concerns about her judgment and her temperament, with some describing her as being abusive at times to staff and reporting her at times unorthodox behavior on the bench, including singing and ringing a cowbell.

The Committee finds Jackie Marie Portman-Brown not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

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