Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
This contest was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Patricia "Pat" S. Spratt - #242
Campaign Website
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Patricia S. Spratt is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Spratt was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and concentrates her practice in business and commercial litigation and green initiative programs. Ms. Spratt is well regarded by her peers and by the judges before whom she has appeared. Throughout her career, Ms. Spratt has been actively involved in public service work. Ms. Spratt has a fine temperament and possesses the depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Hon. Patricia Susan Spratt was admitted to practice in 1991. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2015. From 1992 to 1995 she was an associate at a small firm doing civil litigation involving securities issues. She then became a partner as Shefsky & Froelich where she does both trial and appellate work. She is considered to have very good legal ability and her knowledge of the law is well regarded. She has written and lectured extensively, including a book on professional responsibility which is used as a source for the members of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Professional Responsibility on which she serves. She is considered to be a resource for research and trial tactics. She is praised for her professional demeanor. Judge Spratt had substantial experience in a variety of complex litigation matters. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Patricia S. Spratt has been licensed since 1991. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in September 2015. Prior to her appointment, she was a partner at Taft Stettinus & Hollister LLP and previously was at Shefsky and Froelich, where she handled trial and appellate work. She has extensive litigation experience doing complex civil cases in both federal and state court, and is highly respected for her wide range of knowledge and legal experience. She has participated in bar association and community activities as well as writing and lecturing. Judge Spratt is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Evaluated |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Chapter of NOW
Indo-American Democratic Organization
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Christopher J. Stuart - #243
Campaign Website
Christopher J. Stuart: In his own words
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Christopher Stuart is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stuart was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently in private practice concentrating in complex litigation matters. Mr. Stuart has both trial and appellate experience and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Christopher J. Stuart was admitted in 1985. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career doing nationwide class actions involving primarily antitrust, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and federal securities act claims. While he has done few actual trials, his practice involves extensive motion practice in complex litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in a variety of complex matters. He is reported to be hard working with a very good knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Christopher J. Stuart was admitted to the bar in 1985. He has been in private practice for most of his career handling class actions involving antitrust, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and federal securities act claims. While it appears that he has litigated extensively in complex cases and is considered to be hard working, it was extremely difficult to ascertain the extent and nature of his most recent practice due to a lack of sufficient information. This raised concerns over the amount of recent and complex litigation. Mr. Stuart is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | 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 |
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Jennifer Ballard - #244
Campaign Website
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Jennifer Ballard 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Jennifer Ballard failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Jennifer M. Ballard declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Ms. Ballard is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Cook County Democratic Party
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Mable Taylor - #245
Campaign Website
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Mable Taylor 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Mable Taylor failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Mable Taylor declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Ms. Taylor is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
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Patrick D. John - #246
No Campaign Website (but the candidate has a
Facebook page)
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Patrick John 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.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Patrick John was admitted to practice in 1998. He is currently an Associate at The Barclay Group where he focuses on family law. From 2001 to 2010 he was an Associate at a small firm and was employed by another private firm between 1998 and 2001. He has served as an associate in two private law firms since being admitted to practice. Mr. John is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. His practice includes a substantial motion practice. The Council, however, is concerned that he does not have sufficient trial experience in complex matters. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Patrick D. John was admitted to practice in 1998. He is an associate with the Barclay Law Group, concentrating in family law and has been in private practice since being licensed. He is considered to be a diligent and skilled litigator in his area of practice, with a good temperament. Mr. John is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Evaluated |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Rosa Silva - #247
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Rosa Marie Silva is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Silva was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Silva has had extensive criminal trial experience and possesses the requisite legal knowledge, ability, and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Rosa Maria Silva was admitted to practice in 2001. She is an Assistant Cook County Public Defender assigned to the Felony Trial Division. From 2001 to 2002 she represented clients in divorce and real estate matters. From 2002 to 2003 she served as an Assistant Will County Public Defender. She is very active in bar association and civic activities. She is reported to have good legal ability and is considered to be a hard-working defense counsel with good temperament. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Rosa Silva has been licensed since 2001. She currently works in the Felony Trial Division of the Public Defender’s Office. She also spent a year in private practice doing divorce and real estate, and from 2002 to 2003 she worked for the Will County Public Defender. She has substantial criminal litigation experience including many jury trials and complex cases and gets high marks for her legal knowledge, ability, diligence, and organizational skills. She is also active in bar association and civic activities. Ms. Silva is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | 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 |
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