Cook County Democratic Party demands written "Agreement, Promise and Pledge" from prospective candidates

The Cook County Democratic Party will hold its slating meeting next week.

At past slating meetings the Cook County Democratic Party has always asked prospective candidates if they will be willing to pay some sort of assessment for common campaign costs ($40,000 or thereabouts), whether they will support the entire ticket if slated, and whether (if rejected by the Party) they will run against the Party.

There's nothing new or especially controversial in that.

What is new -- this year -- and very controversial, at least in some quarters, is that the Cook County Democratic Party is asking all candidates who appear before the slatemakers next week to sign and return a two-page document entitled "Potential Candidate Agreement, Promise and Pledge" by Friday, December 10. The document is set out in full in this post on Page Two. Feel free to read it and come back.

To begin with, the Party says this pledge is not intended as a loyalty oath or litmus test, according to communications FWIW has had with the Party's executive director and its counsel. But some committeemen and political consultants disagree. One committeeperson told FWIW, "If history has taught us anything we should recognize the danger in making people sign oaths or pledges."

A number of committeepersons have charged that the decision to draft and send this pledge document was taken by the Party's Executive Committee without consultation of the "rank and file" committeepersons.

As far as FWIW can ascertain, this allegation is well-founded. But, Party sources insist, the pledge agreement is a natural outgrowth of discussions within the Executive Committee over the course of several years. Issues of internal support and discipline have been of increasing concern for the Party; my sources see this new pledge as a natural consequence of an incremental standardization and formalization process.

Refusal to sign the pledge is not an automatic bar to slating. Candidates who have failed or refused to sign the pledge may still be slated, according to the Party, if they win sufficient numbers of the weighted votes of the 50 ward and 30 township committeemen that ultimately choose the slate. The Party executive director and counsel characterize the pledge as just another data point included in the binders of information given to each committeeman concerning each candidate, along with information regarding the candidate's credentials, financial backing, and so forth.

As with everything political, therefore, it comes down to votes: If enough committeepeople are offended by the demand for a pledge, candidates who refuse to sign may actually have an advantage. We may be able to determine whether there is serious discontent about the pledge request, or how widespread that discontent may be, next week, when the slate is revealed.

But probabaly not.

The 80 committeepeople in the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee are drawn from diverse backgrounds with widely varying experiences. In other words, most days they probably would disagree on the color of the sky. They may claim unanimity next week -- they will claim unanimity publicly -- but, if history is any guide, some committeemen will be as loyal to the entire slate as Brian Kelly was to Notre Dame. And we won't necessarily know about all of those who break ranks (or for whom) until the votes are counted next summer. And, by then, it won't really matter.

I've said before that the purpose of slating is for the Party to identify and support likely winners. The paramount objective of a political party is to win elections. That is likewise the paramount objective of any political candidate. And, to win, any candidate needs to build a successful, if temporary, coalition of support. Party loyalists are but one component.

I asked whether, pursuant to this new pledge, a slated candidate would jeopardize his or her standing by attending an event where candidates running against the slate are featured. The Chicago Federation of Labor will no doubt endorse most of the same candidates as the Cook County Democratic Party. But probably not all of them. Would, for example, a slated countywide judicial candidate risk forfeiture of her Party support by appearing at a labor event along with non-slated candidates?

Party sources told me that this is not the intent of the pledge. The purpose is not to prevent a candidate from using a consultant or election attorney or pollster who may be working against the ticket in a different race -- my sources said the Party recognizes that there is a limited pool of qualified political professionals from which to choose -- but, rather to prevent the chosen candidates from actively working against a slated candidate in another race.

Events will show.

However, even if the intention is benign, there is a real question of whether this pledge will have a chilling effect on some candidates.

I know of candidates, in past elections, who were afraid to appear at events with non-slated candidates, even if they were permitted to speak glowingly at these events about all their brothers and sisters on the slate, for fear of losing Party Support. That was long before any written pledge. And, you know what? These candidates lost. The successful candidate has to go anywhere and everywhere where support may be found, and seek support for him- or herself from both those who are inclined to support others on the slate as well as those who are not so inclined.

Then, for judicial candidates in particular, there is the question of whether this explicit, detailed pledge contravenes the Code of Judicial Ethics. Does the pledge potentially compromise judicial independence (Canon 1)? Does it potentially constitute a comment on matters that may come before the judge in the course of his or her duties (Canon 3A(7))? Do the requirements to supervise and monitor and control the activities of subordinates or volunteers, particularly in the expenditure of funds, potentially put a candidate on the wrong side of Canon 7?

Party sources claim that the pledge does not put a judicial candidate on the wrong side of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The pledge requires the candidate to conduct what amounts to a political conflicts check, not allowing him or her to embrace candidates who are in conflict with the slate. Appearing beside a candidate running against the slate at a given event may not constitute active support of the non-slated candidate -- but sending joint mailers would.

(This is a developing story and may be updated as new information is received.)

Illinois LAP announces officers for its Board of Directors

The Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program has announced Board of Directors Officer positions for the 2021-22 year.

Edward McCarthy will serve as President of LAP's Board of Directors.

McCarthy is the managing partner of McCarthy and Allen in Downstate Glen Carbon. A former President of the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce, McCarthy has also served on the Edwardsville Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield School Board. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967-70, rising to the rank of Captain. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1973, according to ARDC, McCarthy also became a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois in 1974.

Cook County Associate Judge Stanley Hill has been named Vice President of the LAP Board.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Hill to the Circuit Court bench in 2010. Although he did not succeed in his 2012 run to hold the seat to which he was appointed, his colleagues retained him in the 2012 associate judge selection process.

An ordained Christian minister, Hill is a former president of the Board of Directors of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. Before joining the judiciary, Hill practiced in state and federal courts throughout the United States, and operated his own firm, Stanley L. Hill & Associates, P.C. He has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1974, according to ARDC.

A complete list of all LAP's Officers and Directors can be found at this page of the LAP website.

LAP’s mission is to help, protect, and educate the legal community about addiction, mental health and wellness. If you or someone you know needs support with mental health or wellbeing, contact LAP at gethelp@illinoislap.org or call (312) 726-6607. LAP's services are 100% confidential with immunity.

Where to recycle broken holiday lights

It happens nearly every year: The lights are brought up from the basement, or in from the garage, or down from the attic. No matter how carefully they were stored, they emerge a tangled mess. And when they are finally untangled... and plugged in just to check... one or more of the strings turns out to be kaput.

If the Elf on the Shelf heard what you said when that happened (or, rather, didn't happen), you'd wind up on Santa's naughty list for sure.

But, other than cursing them, what can you do with the no-longer-functioning strings of lights?

Charlie Meyerson's December 2 Chicago Public Square carried a link to this WTTW post touting efforts by a group of North Side alderpersons and community organizations to recycle non-working holiday lights.

As the linked WTTW article notes, Christmas lights are not permitted in regular recycling bins.

Here is the list, lifted from the WTTW site, where those dead holiday lights will be accepted for recycling:

• 40th Ward office, 5620 N. Western Ave.
• 47th Ward office, 4243 N. Lincoln Ave.
• 48th Ward office, 5533 N. Broadway
• Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, 4054 N. Lincoln Ave.
• A Pretty Flower, 2334 W. Lawrence Ave.
• Erwin Law, 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 208

Used extension cords will also be accepted at these locations.

Well, that didn't take long: De La Cruz and Donnelly appointed to countywide vacancies

In separate orders entered yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Araceli R. De La Cruz to the countywide vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joan Margaret O'Brien and also appointed Cook County Associate Judge Thomas M. Donnelly to the countywide vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sharon Sullivan.

The De La Cruz appointment is effective January 6. Donnelly's appointment is effective December 8. Both appointments expire on December 5, 2022, when the persons elected to these vacancies in the 2022 election will be sworn in.

Both appointments were made by the Supreme Court on the recommendation of Justice Mary Jane Theis. According to the press release issued by the Supreme Court yesterday, Justice Theis recommended these appointments following a review of applicants by a 14-person screening committee consisting of judges, lawyers, and Cook County community members. The Hon. Wayne Andersen (Ret.) and the Hon. Patricia Holmes (Ret.) served as Co-Chairs for the screening committee. The additional members were James Botana, the Hon. David Coar (Ret.), Mary Dempsey, Leynee Cruz Flores, John Gallo, Denise Kane, Beth Kaveny, Mike Monico, Michael Rothstein, Sister Cathy Ryan, Richard Waris, and Mark Wojcik.

Justice Theis's newly reconstituted screening committee was announced by the Court on Thursday. (Click here for FWIW's coverage of that announcement.)

"I am greatly honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve," De La Cruz said, according to yesterday's statement from the Supreme Court. "It is an incredible privilege to do so on behalf of the people of Cook County and I am profoundly grateful to Justice Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court for their confidence in me."

According to the Supreme Court's press release, De La Cruz has over 20 years of experience in law in a variety of important roles. She most recently has spent 5 years as General Counsel/Chief Administrative Officer at Acero Schools of Chicago. Before joining Acero, she served for two years as the Chief of General Prosecutions for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Division of Professional Regulation.

De La Cruz was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party for a countywide vacancy in 2020, but fell short of the Democratic nomination in a three person race. She was one of the 39 Circuit Court hopefuls who presented credentials at the Democratic Party's pre-slating meeting this past October.

From 2009 to 2014, according to the Supreme Court's press release, De La Cruz served in three different roles for the Chicago Transit Authority, first as Chief of Safety and Security Compliance, then as Deputy Chief of Staff, and finally as Chief Safety and Security Officer, Senior Vice President, where she managed a department of over 45 safety, security and compliance professionals who were charged with the oversight of bus and rail transit system safety. And from 2001 to 2009 she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecuting hundreds of criminal matters via case review, indictment, motion practice, jury trials, bench trials and settlement conferences.

De La Cruz earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School, where she was a recipient of the Elmer Kissane Award. Her professional associations include the Chicago Bar Association, the Hispanic Lawyer’s Association of Illinois, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, and the Woman’s Bar Association.

In the Supreme Court's press release announcing his appointment, Judge Thomas M. Donnelly is quoted as saying, "I am honored that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed me to serve the citizens of Cook County as a Circuit Judge. As always, I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities and attempt to live up to this honor. This appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court affirms my work and dedication as an Associate Judge for the past 19 years and I appreciate the Court’s confidence in my judicial service."

According to the Supreme Court's announcement, Donnelly has served as an Associate Judge of Cook County since 2000 and is currently assigned to the Law Division where he hears civil jury trials. He has tried over 300 jury trials and over 1,000 bench trials in his time on the bench. Prior to joining the bench, Donnelly clerked for Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow and served as an assistant public defender for 13 years.

Donnelly served on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices from its inception until its final report and was an appointed judicial representative on the Statutory Court Fee Task Force. He currently sits on the Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees with a term expiring in 2023 and serves as liaison to the Committee on Judicial Education. From 2016 to 2019, he served as the inaugural chair of the Illinois Judicial College Board, and currently serves on the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee. He has chaired both the Chicago Bar Association Professional Responsibility Committee and the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Professional Conduct.

Donnelly also appeared before the Cook County Democratic Party's October pre-slating meeting. Rumors about his probabe appointment, now verified by events, have circulated since that time. Those rumors were mentioned, but only obliquely, on FWIW.

Donnelly earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s College and his Juris Doctor from the Loyola University School of Law. He has taught at Loyola since 1987 where he currently teaches Illinois Civil Litigation Practice and additionally serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College where he teaches hundreds of judges around the country.

Judge Donnelly’s awards include the Hon. Mary Ann G. McMorrow Distinguished Service Award from the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, the Impact Award from the Center for Disability and Elder Law, and the Harold Sullivan Award (named for Judge Sharon Sullivan's father) from the Illinois Judges Association.

Patricia Brown Holmes to Co-Chair revamped Theis Judicial Screening Committee

Retired Cook County Associate Judge Patricia Brown Holmes has been named Co-Chair of a revamped Judicial Screening Committee created by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis to screen applicants for possible temporary Cook County judicial appointments. Holmes is currently Managing Partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHP), where, as her firm bio notes, she is "the first African-American woman to lead and have her name on the door of a major law firm that is not women-or minority-owned."

The Supreme Court also announced today that retired U.S. District Judge Wayne R. Anderson will continue to serve as the other Co-Chair of this committee, as he has since 2013, when Justice Theis first announced the formation of her screening committee.

In addition to Anderson, other returning members of the committee are Hon. David Coar (Ret.), Mary Dempsey, Denise Kane, Beth Kaveny, Mike Monico, Michael Rothstein, Sister Cathy Ryan, Richard Waris, and Mark Wojcik.

Holmes is a new addtion to Justice Theis's screening committee. Also joining the committee, according to today's announcement from the Illinois Supreme Court, are Leynee Cruz Flores, James Botana, and John Gallo.

Leynee Cruz Flores is a partner with the firm of Golan Christie Taglia. Her firm bio notes that Flores is the Immediate Past President of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and serves on the Young Professionals Board for the Center for Disability & Elder Law. Flores is also Treasurer of the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois.

Before joining Golan Christie Taglia, Flores was a principal in the firm of Chuhak & Tecson P.C., where she was leader of that firm's Estate & Trust Administration & Litigation practice group. She is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Florida.

James Botana is a principal in the Chicago office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His firm bio notes that, before joining Jackson Lewis in 2000, Botana "was a prosecutor and a senior attorney in the Employment Litigation Department of the Office of the Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago." He was a founding member of the firm's Diversity Committee. The Supreme Court's announcement today notes that Botana was named Latino Lawyer of the Year by the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois in 2020.

The Court's announcement also notes that Botana still serves as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. He has also served on the Illinois State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Comission on Civil Rights.

John Gallo is the CEO and Executive Director of Legal Aid Chicago.

Before joining Legal Aid Chicago, in 2017, Gallo was a long-time partner at Sidley Austin LLP. He was Firmwide Co-Chair of Sidley's White Collar Practice from 2010 to 2017 and Head of Litigation in Sidley's Chicago office from 2014 to 2017.

Gallo also served as trial counsel to the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board from 2000 to 2017.

The Supreme Court's announcement today notes that Gallo created Sidley’s Capital Litigation Project in 2005 to provide legal representation to inmates on Alabama’s death row. Before joining Sidley Austin, Gallo spent seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.

In today's statement concerning the reconsituted Screening Committee Justice Theis said, "I welcome the new members and thank them for their service," Justice Theis said. "It is important to have a diverse committee to reflect the community we serve."

Justice Theis's Judicial Screening Committee is currently reviewing candidates for vacancies created by the retirements of Judges Joan O'Brien and Sharon Sullivan.

Supreme Court Rules Committee sets February 2 public hearing on proposed new Code of Judicial Conduct

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hold a special public hearing (via Zoom) on February 2, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. to hear testimony on a proposal from the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee (IJEC) for the adoption of a new Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.

The 54-page proposed new Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, Proposal 21-08, is based on the American Bar Association’s 2007 Model Code of Judicial Conduct and seeks to advance the IJEC’s mission of promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct by judges in Illinois. Thirty-seven states have previously adopted new Codes of Judicial Conduct based on the 2007 Model Code.

Members of the public will be able to view the livestreaming hearing online via the Court’s YouTube page. Additional information will be provided on the Rules Committee Public Hearing page of the Supreme Court’s website.

The Supreme Court Rules Committee is inviting public comments on the proposals. Written comments should be submitted by January 26, 2022, to RulesCommittee@illinoiscourts.gov or via mail addressed to Committee Secretary, Supreme Court Rules Committee, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601. All written comments submitted will also be published and accessible on the Supreme Court's website.

To be scheduled to testify at the public hearing, please register by sending an e-mail to the Rules Committee Secretary, as noted above, no later than January 26, 2022.

The IJEC is a joint committee of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois Judges Association, and its chair is Steven F. Pflaum of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP. Justice Rita B. Garman serves as Supreme Court liaison to the Rules Committee and James A. Hansen of Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell, LLP, is chair of the committee.

Judge arrested for DUI in Hinsdale, reassigned to judges' jail

Cook County Associate Judge Mohammed M. Ghouse was arrested by Hinsdale Police on November 23. He has been charged with DUI in DuPage County. Yesterday, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans entered an order assigning Judge Ghouse to restricted, aministrative duties -- colloquially referred to as "judges' jail."

A Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch news story, by David Giuliani, about the arrest and subsequent reassignment is available at this link. Tribune subscribers (of which I am not one) can access this article.

A statement from Judge Evans was issued late yesterday afternoon. Here is that statement in full:

On November 23, 2021, the Hinsdale Police Department filed a “DUI Criminal Complaint” against Associate Judge Mohammed M. Ghouse in the Illinois circuit court for DuPage County, alleging that, on November 23, 2021, Judge Ghouse was driving under the influence of alcohol and was driving too fast for conditions or failed to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Today, I have issued an order assigning Judge Ghouse to restricted duties in the Office of First Municipal District Presiding Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., where he will perform administrative duties only, subject to further order of the court. The order is effective immediately.

I have also ordered that this matter be referred to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

My decision follows a meeting of the Circuit Court of Cook County Executive Committee, held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, to discuss the matter.

Up until the date of his arrest, Judge Ghouse had been fulfilling his assignment in the Fifth Municipal District in Bridgeview, Illinois.

The members of the Executive Committee who participated in the meeting held December 1, 2021, were as follows:

• Honorable Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge
• Honorable Moshe Jacobius, Presiding Judge, Chancery Division
• Honorable Sanjay T. Tailor, Acting Presiding Judge, County Division
• Honorable Erica L. Reddick, Acting Presiding Judge, Criminal Division
• Honorable Grace G. Dickler, Presiding Judge, Domestic Relations Division
• Honorable Raul Vega, Presiding Judge, Domestic Violence Division
• Honorable David Navarro, Acting Presiding Judge, Pretrial Division
• Honorable Daniel B. Malone, Acting Presiding Judge, Probate Division
• Honorable Diann K. Marsalek, Acting Presiding Judge, Traffic Division
• Honorable Robert Balanoff, Acting Presiding Judge, Child Protection Division
• Honorable Michael P. Toomin, Presiding Judge, Juvenile Justice Division
• Honorable Sophia H. Hall, Administrative Presiding Judge, Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Resource Section
• Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., Presiding Judge, First Municipal District
• Honorable Shelley Sutker-Dermer, Presiding Judge, Second Municipal District
• Honorable Jill C. Marisie, Presiding Judge, Third Municipal District
• Honorable Cheyrl D. Ingram, Presiding Judge, Fourth Municipal District
• Honorable Kerry M. Kennedy, Acting Presiding Judge, Fifth Municipal District
• Honorable Tommy Brewer, Presiding Judge, Sixth Municipal District

The outcome of the Executive Committee's JIB referral will not be made public unless the JIB brings charges before the Illinois Courts Commission. Historically, although (for reasons of confidentiality -- see Article VI, Section 15(c) of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, as amended) there are no statistics that I know of, the vast majority of referrals do not result in public charges. That charges were not pursued by JIB may sometimes be inferred from subsequent events. (Additional information about the work of the JIB can be found at this website.)

Ghouse became an Associate Judge in 2016.

This may also be an opportune moment to remind readers that the Lawyers Assistance Program is available to help "Illinois judges, lawyers, law students, and their families concerned about alcohol use, drug dependency, or stress related issues like anxiety, burnout, [or] depression."

Campaign website launched for Jim Gleffe

A camapign website has been launched in support of Jim Gleffe's campaign for the Cook County Circuit Court bench. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; it will be added to the Candidate Sidebar on this site when that is set up.

Licensed in Illinois since 2007, according to ARDC, Gleffe's campaign biography notes that he currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Labor Counsel in the Office of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough.

Before that, Gleffe worked for then-Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough as chief legal counsel and, later, as the Chief Deputy Recorder and Chief of Staff. Over the course of his legal career, Gleffe has also worked for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, serving in the financial securities division of that office (ultimately rising to chief deputy director), and, later, for City of Chicago Clerk Susana Mendoza, serving as a policy analyst.

Gleffe was among those presenting credentials at the Cook County Democratic Party's recent pre-slating meeting. His campaign website states that attorney Michael Kasper is his Campaign Chair, and Kristen Bauer, the president of KBauer Consulting, Inc., is his Campaign Manager. Among those listed as providing consulting for the campaign are 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn and Frank Calabrese.

Options for lawyers in a charitable mood on Giving Tuesday

The Illinois Bar Foundation is making a special Giving Tuesday push for money to support its work "ensuring equal access to justice across the state and providing aid to attorneys in need."

Persons donating to IBF via the organization's Facebook page may have their gifts matched by "Meta" (Facebook's new corporate face) until Meta shells out $8 million matching donations to the IBF and who knows how many other charities that have signed up for this program (Mr. Zuckerberg must be skipping lunch today).

The Lawyers' Assistance Program also has a special Giving Tuesday pitch. Here's a link to the LAP donation page. LAP offers this graphic showing exactly how your donations can translate into specific services:

Also, the Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Gala and Awards Ceremony is tonight (the virtual reception starts at 5:00 p.m.) Tickets may still be obtained at this link.

Advertisement: Victory Research offers services to judicial candidates

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Some last minute advice for those dreading the Holiday get together

Dr. Fauci says it's OK for families to gather at someone's home for Thanksgiving. Actually, he said it's OK if all eligible persons are fully vaxxed and boostered (there's a new verb for you) and maybe if there's a window open (well, the oven's on, isn't it, so that's not too much a stretch) and if no one inhales too deeply. Something like that.

But we're Americans -- we're vague on details -- so once Dr. Fauci said OK all hesistation was thrown to the winds and, across this great land of ours, vast hordes of relatives, some of whom have had no contact with one another for 20 months, have begun converging. Vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.

And you, Dear Reader, are panicking: We are told that Thanksgiving dinners are supposed to be like this --

-- but we all know that the actual events can go from awkward to angry in a heartbeat. Especially if dinner is delayed past halftime of the Dallas game. In vino veritas? Well, sometimes, too much vino can unleash some unfortunate pent-up sentiments.

And that was before Covid.

In My Fair Lady Professor Higgins advises Eliza Doolittle (going to her first Ascot races) to stick to two subjects, the weather and everybody's health.

But even that list is too long for 2021. Someone will inquire about another's health... and the subject of masks and vaccinations will invariably surface... and the conversation may veer from awkward to angry to explosive. Frozen turkey in the deep fryer explosive. COVID!

Maybe sports can be substituted as a safe conversation topic.

The Beloved Bears are playing Detroit in a little while. And, in Chicago, at least, there is a common affection, among the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, for the Beloved. Unless your family has one of those Packer fans. Many do. Some from contrariness. Some because the Bears basically sucked when they were growing up.

The Packers aren't playing today -- it's true -- but someone may mention Aaron Rodgers -- who had COVID! And maybe has Covid toe.

And, all of a sudden, we're back in the deep fryer.

At this moment, you're feeling nostalgic for the days when it was only politics that marred holiday gatherings. Or for the aunt who insisted on tousling your hair and pinching your cheeks when you were over 30.

But it's OK. These awkward holiday dinners are a great opportunity for you and yours to remember that what you share with your family is more important than any of these unimportant things that divide us. And make gatherings awkward sometimes. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Just don't talk about COVID!

Cook County budget amendments provide funding for 24/7 Domestic Violence court, pay raises for jurors and private attorneys representing indigent litigants

A press release issued by the Chief Judge's Office yesterday afternoon:

The Circuit Court of County will fund a plan that will more than double pay for jurors, improve and expand services for survivors of domestic violence, and increase pay to private attorneys representing indigent persons, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The new programs will cost the court $2.82 million for 2022, under amendments to the court’s budget passed unanimously by the Cook County Board of Commissioners today. The court will pay for the improvements through delays in filling vacancies of court personnel, reducing the contract budget for the Juvenile Division, and increasing the contribution of fee collections from special-purpose funds.

The amendments provide funding both to address the immediate needs of Domestic Violence Court operations and to establish 24 hour/7 days a week operations for Domestic Violence. Fees for jury service to both petit and grand jurors increase from $14.50 per day to $30 per day, and the related transportation stipend increases from $2.70 per day to $5 per day, effective June 1, 2022. Finally, the rates of compensation for the legal representation of indigent litigants will also increase, effective June 1, 2022.

“These changes are of crucial importance to the administration of justice in Cook County,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “While it has required sacrifices from our office, we believe these sacrifices are needed to improve services for those who come before the court, either as jurors, complaining witnesses, or as defendants.”

Judge Evans noted that juror pay has not changed for decades, despite increased costs of transportation, parking, and other goods and services. “We need to respect the time and effort it takes to serve on a jury, which is such a critical part of our justice system under the U.S. Constitution,” Judge Evans said.

In October, Judge Evans formed a committee to review the practices and procedures governing the hearing of domestic violence matters throughout the court, and to review the organization and efficiency of Domestic Violence Division operations at all courthouses where domestic violence matters are heard. The committee, chaired by Domestic Relations Division Presiding Judge Grace G. Dickler, includes judges in the Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence and Child Protection Divisions, advocates for domestic violence victims, and representatives of the private bar, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Cook County Board.

The funding will pay for additional personnel and equipment, including 40 laptop computers, to boost current operations and allow for 24/7 access to emergency orders of protection for domestic violence survivors.

“The court recognizes that petitioners in Domestic Violence cases are often undergoing tremendous stress and may face physical danger, and that they cannot wait for regular business hours to obtain emergency protective orders,” Judge Evans said. “The establishment of these new procedures, funded in our 2022 budget, is intended to make judges available 24/7 to rule on these critical matters. I would like to thank the board commissioners, advocates and other county officials for working with the court to develop these improvements.”

The additional funding for private attorneys representing indigent clients recognizes the important work done by these attorneys, and brings their pay more in line with pay for similar work in other jurisdictions. Pay is going up from $75 per hour to $112.50 per hour for in-court proceedings and from $50 to $75 for out-of-court preparation, effective for services provided on or after June 1, 2022.

DSF announces award winners for upcoming Unity Gala; tickets now on sale

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation's annual Unity Gala will be online again this year.

The event is set for Tuesday, November 30, starting at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are priced from $150.

The DSF has announced winners of several awards to be conferred at the Unity Gala.

Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch will receive the organization's Unity Award. State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (17th) will receive the Hon. Laura Liu Access to Justice Award. The following individuals will be recognized as Advocates for Diversity:

• Erica N. Byrd, Senior Attorney, Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel,


• Hon. Megan Goldish, Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County,


• Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner, Romanucci Blandin Law,


• Jennifer L. Rosato-Perea, Dean and Professor of Law, DePaul College of Law,


• Marvet Sweis Drnovsek, Founder, MSD Injury Lawyers, and


• Adam M. Zebelian, Associate, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck.

In addition, the DSF will bestow scholarships on 21 students attending area law schools.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on this page of the DSF website; more information may be obtained by emailing dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Advocates offer free CLE tonight

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is holding its November general meeting online this evening -- a virtual cocktail at 6:30, the Advocates regular meeting at 7:00, but, after this business has been concluded, the Advocates are offering a one-hour free CLE program entitled, "Practice Management: How to Take Time Off for the Holidays."

That seems timely.

The presenter will be Melanie Leonard, the founder and CEO of Streamlined Legal.

To sign up for the program, you must send your full name and ARDC nunber to the Advocates' CLE coordinator, Eryk Wachnik at eryk@wachniklaw.com before the program.

I'm a little wary of putting Zoom meeting details out on the Intertubes where anyone might find them and potentially misuse them, but I assume Mr. Wachnik will be able to provide you with the requisite links if you email him soon. I'll update if necessary.

Chief Justice and Illinois Mental Health Task Force to Host Mental Health Summit Report Release Web Event and Issue a Call to Action

That's a long headline, but it's the one used by the Supreme Court press office in this news release issued Monday:

The prevalence of mental illness and co-occurring disorders is greatly impacting our nation, each of our states, and our communities, and has a disproportionate effect on our courts and justice system. As part of that National Initiative, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators hosted a Midwest Regional Summit in October 2019 in Deadwood, South Dakota. Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and Illinois State Court Administrator Marcia Meis assembled and led an Illinois delegation at the Summit.

Upon returning to Illinois, the delegation met monthly and formed the Illinois Supreme Court’s Mental Health Task Force and began planning an Illinois Mental Health Summit. The Summit series, Improving the Court and Community Response to Persons with Mental Illness and Co-Occurring Disorders through Compassion and Hope, convened by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, was held virtually over six sessions taking place from September-December 2020. As a final product the summit series, through financial support of the State Justice Institute, the National Center for State Courts drafted and issued the attached 2020 Illinois Mental Health Summit Report.

The Illinois Supreme Court and National Center for State Courts are hosting a Report Release Web Event: A Call to Action on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to present an overview of national initiatives, report findings, and Illinois Mental Health Task Force next steps.

Registration info is available at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8_47ZvALQLKE0nDMFEC2Ug.

Ultimately, the results of the Regional Mapping Workshops will inform a statewide vision of what a behavioral health continuum of care with multiple diversion pathways should look like in Illinois and lead to development of a plan and pilot projects to improve court and community responses to mental health and co-occurring disorders. After completion of the Resource Mapping Workshops, we hope that each community and region will sustain efforts through ongoing Councils or leveraging efforts through collaboration with established coordinating councils, task forces, and coalitions.

“The release of the Summit Report and the recent hire of a Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator to facilitate the Task Force equips the Supreme Court with a road map and resource to continue leading change at the intersection of behavioral health and justice. My Supreme Court colleagues and I thank everyone involved in the summit series and heeding this call to action” said Hon. Chief Justice Anne M. Burke.

For further information regarding the Illinois Mental Health Task Force, please visit Illinois Mental Health Task Force (illinoiscourts.gov) or contact Scott Block, Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts at sblock@illinoiscourts.gov.

And how are you celebrating World Kindness Day?

I would have missed this entirely but for a reader who kindly tipped me off that today, November 13, is World Kindness Day.

You know World Kindness Day is a real thing, because it has its own Wikipedia page (linked above) and because CNN has a story about it.

I hope it becomes an even bigger thing because, well, the world (and all of us in it) could use a lot more kindness. However you celebrate, celebrate responsibly.

New countywide vacancy opens with retirement of Judge Margaret A. Brennan

Judge Margaret A. Brennan has retired from the Cook County bench, opening a new countywide vacancy in time for the 2022 primary.

According to this press release, Judge Brennan has joined ADR Systems as a member of its panel of senior mediators and arbitrators.

First elected to the Circuit bench in 2002, Brennan was retained in 2008, 2014, and 2020.

The most recent Who Sits Where post has been updated accordingly.

Cardenas to kick off campaign for Board of Review on Veterans Day

Posted at the request of a friend of this site....

You may well ask, what relevance does this event have for the prospective Cook County judicial candidate? (Some FWIW readers get a tad miffed if I stray beyond the narrow confines of judicial elections.)

The answer to said question, truthfully, is not a whole heck of a lot. Ald. George Cardenas is also the Committeeperson of Chicago's 12th Ward and, presumably, it never hurts to try and catch the eye of any committeeperson (one down, you may think to yourself, but 79 to go). And, of course, the committeeperson making his or her own grab for a higher rung on the cursus honorum is less likely than most to be fascinated by your judicial ambitions. Or to even pretend to be.

Ald. Cardenas is not even on the countywide slating committee (though he is on the judicial retention committee).

So the benefits for the judicial wannabe are tangential... at best. Perhaps you'll meet someone. Perhaps someone will see you and remember your face. There's always an opportunity for a social media post of some kind. If you can get someone to pose with you.

But did you notice the price? If the above announcement may be believed, the event Thursday evening, starting at 6:00 p.m., at Radius, 640 West Cermak, is... dare I say it... free. Quoting now from the blurb itself: The event promises "[c]omplimentary food & drinks from outstanding local chefs."

You will not find many political events in this price range.

It's true -- and almost certain -- that you, the hopeful candidate, will be largely ignored, and perhaps completely ignored unless you happen to meet someone you know socially. That's just the nature of campaigning. But there are plenty of events where you can pay a pretty penny for admission -- and be equally ignored. So this may be worth considering. If you have the time.

Registration is required. Click here to reach the Eventbrite link.

Advocates Society accepting applications for law school scholarships until November 15

While, presumably, for most FWIW readers, law school is but a happy (or unhappy... maybe even largely suppressed) memory, readers may know of students who might be interested....

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is accepting applications for its annual scholarships to students attending law school in Illinois. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2021.

All the details, and a financial aid application, may be found at this page of the Advocates website. In general, however, full-time students enrolled at fully accredited U.S. colleges or universities are eligible to apply. Here are some of the other basic requirements and criteria announced by the Advocates:

1. Seniors at the undergraduate level may apply if they have been accepted at an accredited law school (students deferring acceptance will forfeit any scholarship, but may reapply at a later date);


2. Graduate students pursuing a juris doctorate degree may also apply;


3. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen of Polish heritage or documented legal alien of Polish heritage or affinity;


4. Applicants must be in good academic standing and document financial need;


5. Applicants cannot be a member, family member, substantial contributor or a family member of a substantial contributor of the Polish-American Advocates Scholarship Foundation;


6. Applicants must be a resident of the Chicago Metro area for at least 4 years prior to application (proof required); and


7. Applicants must be able to attend an interview in late November VIA ZOOM and an Awards Presentation Ceremony in mid-December of 2021.

New date announced for 2021 Diversity Scholarship Fund Unity Gala

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation had been aiming for an in-person Unity Gala this year; the date and location of DSF's planned in-person Unity Gala has been on its website for some time.

But DSF has determined that it is best to go the virtual route for another year, and the forthcoming annual Unity Gala has been moved from a hotel ballroom to a screen near you and the date has been changed, as per the announcement above, to November 30.

This year's award winners have not yet been announced, but early tickets are available for $150 each. A bronze sponsorship (for $1,500) is also available. Tickets and the bronze-level sponsorship opportunity are available by clicking here. Inquiries about other sponsorship opportunities should be directed to dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Another fundraiser that may be of interest to Cook County Judicial hopefuls

If you read the newspapers, what's left of 'em, or watch television news, you probably think first and foremost of Don Harmon, pictured here, as State Senate President Don Harmon.

But what matters so much more to the aspiring Cook County judicial candidate is another of Mr. Harmon's titles, namely, Chair of the Circuit Court Committee of the Cook County Democratic Party.

And the Chair of the Circuit Court Committee is having a fundraiser, Wednesday, November 10, starting at 7:30 p.m., at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, in Berwyn. Tickets are $100 each and, of course, sponsorships are available (Front Row Seat - $300, Backstage Pass - $500, Talent Scout - $1,000, All Access Pass - $2,500, or I'm With the Band - $5,000). Two admission tickets come with each sponsorship. To purchase tickets, click on this ActBlue weblink.

Mind you, showing up for a fundraiser (even if you actually pay for your ticket -- even if you in fact kick in for a sponsorship) will not get anybody slated. It may help get you noticed, bringing you to the attention of persons who might... someday... maybe... if (and only if) it suits their purposes... assist your ambitions. So, please, don't spend the mortgage money or the grocery money on a quixotic trip to Berwyn (or anywhere else). But I note this fundraiser for the potential benefit of the unconnected judicial wannabes who may have the discretionary income, and spare time, to indulge in such activities and who (being unconnected) would not otherwise hear of this event.

And one other thing, from the FitzGerald's website:

If you go, bring your vax card.

A different "Road to the Robe" on November 18

If I were the artsy type, I'd spout a little Robert Frost here. You know....

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth....

Except -- if you're thinking of running for judicial office -- there is no one road. There are many. And you have to find your way down as many of them as you can. This is so even if your local Democratic committeeperson (and BFF) has promised you on a stack of Bibles yea high that you are a lock-cinch-certainty to be slated. Because slating alone does not guarantee victory. You have to build your own winning coalition (although, admittedly, it'd be really great if your BFF can actually deliver that slating-building-block for you) and, believe you me, as long as you do get slated (they do get a tad miffed if you try and win without their support), the Democratic Party of Cook County will be all for your branching out.

Moreover, Mr. or Ms. Lawyer-Who-Wants-to-be-Judge, when you do research, do you stop when you find the first case that seems to apply to your situation? Of course not. You keep looking, checking out the alternatives, never knowing what may prove the most persuasive.

Therefore, you may be interested to learn that the Office of Alumni Relations & Development of the Law School formerly known as John Marshall is holding its own online Road to the Robe event on Thursday, November 18, starting at 5:00 p.m.

The program will consist of two panel discussions, the first moderated by Appellate Court Justice (and 1982 JMLS alum) Jesse Reyes, entitled "Journey To The Robe," and the second, starting at 6:00 p.m., entitled "Navigating the Process," moderated by James Nally (a 1984 JMLS alum), Legal Counsel to the County Clerk (and, before he moved to the Clerk's Office, an experienced election attorney). To register for the program, click on this Eventbrite link.

Upcoming Cook County Democratic fundraisers that may be of interest to local judicial candidates

I did a list like this last month. I felt a little guilty about it at the time; you can read my self-serving rationalization for printing the list if you follow the link in the preceding sentence.

I assumed someone had sent me the list by accident; I never expected to see another one. After all, I'm just a nobody that nobody sent.

But, lo and behold, tucked in among all the urgent and ultra-urgent Virginia election emails clogging my email in the last several days (I knew they were redrawing boundaries, but I didn't realize they were redrawing them so dramatically*) was another email providing a list of Illinois House Democratic fundraisers at which Cook County judicial candidates, or at least those Cook County judicial candidates with sufficient discretionary income, might go to see and be seen. For that reason, I've purged the list of non-Cook County reps -- probably not a sufficient ROI for attending collar county or Downstate events. Herewith, then, the edited list:

Representative La Shawn K Ford Virtual Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 9 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Individual Ticket: $150
Sponsorships: $500 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000
Make checks payable to:

Citizens to Elect La Shawn K Ford
912 S Mayfield
Chicago, IL 60644

RSVP to Bernie at BWilliams@HDemsIL.com
Zoom link will be emailed upon RSVP


Representative Lakesia Collins Karaoke Birthday Fundraiser Wednesday, November 10 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Carpenter's Union Hall, 12 E. Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611
Community Ticket: $25 | General Ticket: $50
Sponsorships: $500 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 Purchase a ticket online at: bit.ly/friendsoflakesia
Make checks payable to:

Friends of Lakesia 1501 N. Clybourn Ave, Unit D Chicago, IL 60610

Fundraiser In Support of Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Thursday, November 11 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Gladys' Restaurant, 1225 E 87th St, Chicago, IL 60619
Ticket: $33
Sponsorships: $250 | $500 | $1,500
Purchase a ticket online at: ilevans.com
Make checks payable to:

Citizens for Marcus C Evans, Jr., P.O. Box 641514
Chicago, IL 60664

RSVP to info@craticshaffer.com

Holiday Reception Hosted by The Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity in Support of Leaders Manley, L. Hernandez, Evans, Hoffman and Reps. Greenwood, Ortiz, Collins, Vella, and B. Hernandez**
Thursday, December 9 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Moe's Cantina River North, Cava Room, 155 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Ticket: $500
Sponsorships: $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000
Make checks payable to:

• Friends of Natalie Manley, 1927 Timbers Edge Circle, Joliet, IL 60431
• Citizens for Elizabeth Hernandez, P.O. Box 50777, Cicero, IL 60804
• Citizens for Marcus C Evans, Jr., P.O. Box 641514, Chicago, IL 60664
• Committee to Elect Jay C Hoffman, P.O. Box 23738, Belleville, IL 62223
• Friends of Latoya N Greenwood, 5111 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226
• Friends of Aaron Ortiz, P.O. Box 32213, Chicago, IL 60632
• Friends of Lakesia, 1501 N. Clybourn Ave, Unit D, Chicago, IL 60610
• Friends of Dave Vella, 3235 Windsong Ct, Rockford, IL 61114
• Friends for Barbara Hernandez, P.O. Box 7263, Aurora, IL 60507

RSVP to Andrew at ak@sanbornwilliams.com

------------------------------------------------------
* Our beloved State of Illinois was once arguably part of Virginia -- at least that's what the Virginians claimed -- until the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

** Lots of non-Cook County beneficiaries specified for this event, obviously, but if you can't figure out who is where, perhaps your discretionary income might be better spent on geography lessons.

Navarro named acting presiding judge of the Pretrial Division

An announcement from the Office of the Chief Judge:

As of Monday, November 1, the Hon. David Navarro is the new acting presiding judge of the Pretrial Division, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

Judge Navarro, who had previously served as supervising judge of the division, was first appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in May 2017 and was elected in November 2018.

“Judge Navarro has shown tremendous dedication and skill in his years in the Pretrial Division, including as a supervising judge, and I am confident that he will succeed in this new leadership role,” said Judge Evans.

Before his appointment to the judiciary, Judge Navarro had been chief of the Public Integrity Bureau at the Illinois Attorney General’s office. He also has served as an assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago.

“I am humbled by the appointment and will do my best to serve the citizens of Cook County,” Judge Navarro said.

Judge Navarro is on the board of directors of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Illinois Latino Judges Association. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Loyola University School of Law, where he teaches trial practice.

The Pretrial Division conducts the initial proceedings in various criminal cases, and is in session every day of the year, including weekends and court holidays. Judge Navarro replaces former Pretrial Division Presiding Judge John P. Kirby, who has moved to the Law Division.

The Hon. Mary C. Marubio has been named the new supervising judge of the Pretrial Division. Both Judge Navarro and Judge Marubio have been in the Pretrial Division since it was established in September 2017.

41st Ward sets November 16 endorsement session

The 41st Ward Democrats are planning an endorsement session on Tuesday, November 16, at a location to be determined.

To be determined? you ask. Well, the session will be open to all 41st Ward residents who are also paying members -- the membership fee is, not conincedentally, $41 (here's the PayPal link if you need it) -- and I'm reasonably certain that, as soon as the membership money is received, interested persons can find out the location of the endorsement session.

Endorsements will be made for Statewide offices, and Countywide offices, and Cook County Commissioner, and MWRD Commissioner, and for the House and Senate Districts that carve up the ward.

But read the fine print: There will be a separate endorsement session for all judicial candidates.

For more information, email 41st Ward Committeeman Joe Cook at joecook79@gmail.com.

In other news from the 41st Ward Democrats, tomorrow, November 3, is the deadline to order lawn signs or t-shirts supporting the Road Home Program at Rush Medical Center. For more information about the 41st Ward Democrats fundraising campaign, click here.

Nov. 4 Joint Dinner honoring Judge Sybil Thomas

The Cook County Bar Association, in conjunction with the Illinois Judicial Conference, the Black Women Lawyers' Association, and the Black Men Lawyers' Association, is hosting a dinner in honor of Cook County Associate Judge Sybil C. Thomas this Wednesday evening at the Park Supper Club, 65 E. Garfield Blvd.

According to Ticket Falcon, this event is already sold out.

Illinois Bar Foundation to host True Crime Authors' Q & A this Thursday evening

The Illiois Bar Foundation will present a virtual program featuring true crime authors Gary V. Johnson and Jeffrey Dean Doty this Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. IBF Board Member Richard L. Turner will moderate the question and answer session on Zoom.

Tickets for the Zoom event only are $25 each. Tickets including either Gary Johnson's book, "Luck is a Talent," or Jeffry Doty's book, "A Convenient Man" (based on the Maria Rudolph case out of Sycamore, Illinois) are $40 each. An event ticket and a copy of both these books may be obtained for $50. For tickets click here.

Sponsorships are still availble as well and may be obtained at the same webpage (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000). Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Access to Justice and Lawyers Care programs of the Illinois Bar Foundation.

Still thinking about running for judge? The Democratic Party is still looking for you

The Cook County Democratic Party had one of these in March. They're doing it again, this Wednesday, November 3, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., via Zoom

I refer to the Party's "Road to the Robe" presentation.

This will be an "abbreviated" session for those who were unavailable to attend the March presentation.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Register online or call (312) 263-0575.

No new subcircuit map for 2022

In the end, the Powers-That-Be couldn't figure out where to draw the new lines.

So there won't be any new lines, not until next year, and that will be too late for the forthcoming judicial primary.

The General Assembly adjourned yesterday after passing a controversial new Congressional map -- but without redrawing subcircuit boundaries.

New subcircuit boundaries were supposed to happen: P.A. 101-477 added a new subsection a-5 to §2f of the Circuit Courts Act, 705 ILCS 35/2f(a-5), which provided that, in 2021, "the General Assembly shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census." Instead, however, tucked away at p. 77 of a 96-page "amendment" to SB0536 (which changed a proposal dealing with use of political committee funds into an election omnibus bill), was just a one-digit change to §2f(a-5) of the Circuit Courts Act: 2021 became 2022.

The horse-trading will presumably continue, somewhere far offstage. Meanwhile, though, the 2022 election will apparently proceed without change to the subcircuit boundaries that have been used since 1992.

Advocates Society's Annual Judges Night next Tuesday

This virtual event is not just a social hour. While there will be informal networking between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. next Tuesday, October 26, the Advocates Society will present an "interactive discussion" with Wisconsin Judge Richard Ginkowski, the host of the ABA Gavel Talks Podcast, entitled, "It's No Joke: Respect for Lawyers and Judges Here and Abroad."

"Even when the jokes stopped," event organizers say, "Polish-American lawyers still feel the effects of decades of discrimination." Participants will be invited to share their experiences. The program will also look at "the crisis of the Polish government’s nonstop assault on a free and independent judiciary."

A $25 suggested donation is requested for registrants, although judges will be admitted on a complimentary basis. For more information about the event, or to register, start at this page of the Advocates website.

Skokie Veterans Treatment Court to hold first post-Pandemic in-person graduation tomorrow

An announcement from the Chief Judge's Office....

The Skokie Veterans Treatment Court, a problem-solving court in the Circuit Court of Cook County, will have its first in-person graduation ceremony since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday. The ceremony will be held at 2:15 p.m. on October 22 in room 201 of the Second Municipal District Courthouse.

Problem-solving courts, also known as specialty or therapeutic courts, seek to help low-level criminal defendants suffering from an underlying mental health, social or substance abuse problem keep from becoming repeat offenders. Problem-solving courts achieve this goal by providing treatment and intensive supervision. The Cook County Circuit Court has a countywide network of problem-solving courts that includes Drug Treatment Courts, Mental Health Treatment Courts, and Veterans Treatment Courts.

Cook County problem-solving courts are designed primarily to assist people who have committed non-violent felony crimes.

The first Cook County Veterans Treatment Court was established in 2009 at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, and since then, Veterans Courts have been established at all the Circuit Court’s suburban locations.

The Hon. Michael Hood, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, presides over the Skokie Veterans Treatment Court. He said Friday’s ceremony will include four new graduates. Also invited are graduates who had previously attended ceremonies on Zoom.

Judge Hood noted that Veterans Treatment Court accepts participants who suffer from both addiction and mental health issues, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The program takes two years, and provides treatment primarily administered through the Veterans Administration. Participants who successfully complete the program will have their charges dismissed and expunged.

“It’s true rehabilitation,” said Judge Hood, who has run the Skokie Veterans Treatment Court for seven years. “There’s an issue, a mental health or addiction issue, which we address so we can take them out of the cycle of criminal justice. The point is to take them back, make them whole.”

Graduates at the ceremony will be presented with handmade quilts from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

On posting vacancies -- and not -- and how you, Dear Reader, can help

I've just updated, again, the Who Sits Where post that I put up only the day before yesterday.

Today's addition is the 15th Subcircuit vacancy of Judge Chris Lawler, pictured at right.

The picture is taken from the announcement that ADR Systems made on August 31 about Judge Lawler joining the ADR panel of neutrals. I certainly missed that one.

I can't say I wasn't warned: I've received several anonymous tips during the last several weeks about the Lawler vacancy. But I ignored these, for reasons I shall explain momentarily. This morning I saw an inquiry on an ISBA listserv from a practitioner trying to find out who was hearing the now-retired Judge Lawler's cases on his former motion call. That got me looking.

Why didn't I look sooner? Well, my comment queue is chock-full of rumors about judges retiring -- not just Judge Lawler. For any judge you care to name I probably have at least one anonymous comment about that judge retiring. Often these rumors are embellished with intimations that Judge X is succumbing to some loathsome disease. Or about to be indicted. Or both.

Some of the anonymous persons who submit comments here are very creative.

But not very nice.

I don't print those sorts of comments.

Not everyone who supplies anonymous tips here has an axe to grind. Many, I'm sure, are trying to be helpful. But, without something more to go on than 'Judge Y has retired' I can't necessarily tell who is trying to be helpful and who has some sort of problem.

In the case of Judge Lawler, someone might have told me about his move to ADR. That would have given the comment, anonymity notwithstanding, credibility. And, of course, I could easily verify the information provided... if only it had been provided.

The motto of the old City News Bureau was, "If your mother says she loves you, check it out." In the age of the 24/7 news cycle, such caution is apparently quaint. But I'd rather be incomplete than inaccurate. (I will now brace myself for the inevitable anonymous comments that say that I am both. *Sigh*)

But the rest of you, Dear Readers, can help improve this site. I know how few people are going to put their name behind anything -- but if you have an anonymous tip you wish to share, any corroboration you can include will allow me to investigate, on my own, and maybe even get your information out to the world, as you wished it to be, in a more timely fashion. Thanks.

Trying to avoid the Observer Effect... or... did you get that in writing?

Although Schrödinger’s Cat is only marginally related to any discussion of the

Observer Effect, on the Internet, any observation of kittens pulls in extra eyeballs.

In physics, the Observer Effect is defined as the disturbance of an observed system by the act of observation itself.

In psychology, the Observer Effect, also called the Hawthorne Effect, refers to how persons being observed tend to change their behavior because they are being observed. In other words, the playground bully was a perfect angel when Sister was watching -- but watch out when Sister turned her back!

The political system is ordinarily closed to and, indeed, hostile to, observation. (We don't want nobody nobody sent.) To the extent that they may sometimes make observations of the political system in operation, journalists (including lawyers who function as journalists, or try to) may well cause those observed to alter their behavior.

On a macro level, this is undoubtedly a good thing. As Thomas Jefferson said, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." Despite his many hypocrisies, the man could turn a phrase. Even when he contradicted himself. (Also Jefferson: "Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.")

Whatever. I take it as an article of faith that 'sunshine is the best disinfectant.' (The exact Brandeis quote is, "Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.") I sincerely hope that, in some small way, because I have brought attention to the process, this site has contributed to the improvement of the local judiciary.

But, on a micro level, on the individual level, I worry. For over 25 years I wanted to be a judge. I can empathize, very sincerely, with those many lawyers who also wish to be judges, and, necessarily, therefore, also with those who aspire to a temporary appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court. I reserve the right to like some people who are chosen better than others, or even not at all, but, whether I know them or not, whether I've ever heard of them before or not, I can relate to their ambition. So, in general, I don't want something I do or say here to undermine any specific individual aspirant.

But... sometimes news happens. It would be fair game, by any journalistic standard, to report it. But I also know how the Observer Effect can work in politics (and anybody who tells you judicial appointments aren't political is selling you hokum): The premature disclosure of a likely appointment may make said likely appointment extremely unlikely.

So when I heard about a person appearing before the Democratic Party's Pre-Slate Making meeting last week and informing the Party worthies that said person was about to be appointed to one of the vacancies recently posted by Justice Theis, that was fair game. I could have reported that immediately; I didn't need to wait for the anonymous comments to stack up in my comment queue (three, as of this morning) with the same information.

But I didn't do that. Not right away. Instead, armed with the tools acquired in Journalism 101 (whatever the course was actually called at Loyola some 45 years ago) I reached out to the Supreme Court's press officer and sought confirmation concerning the appointment and whether an announcement of the appointment in question was imminent. Maybe I'd even ferret out word about the second appointee.

Alas. Word came back, and promptly, too, that no announcement is imminent regarding the two Theis vacancies.

So I've continued to sit on the story. Even though all sorts of people seem to know about it already. And that public knowledge may or may not trigger the Observer Effect.

Mind you, if I were a Supreme Court Justice and I had indicated to a person prior to the pre-slating meeting that he or she was likely to get my nod for a particular appointment, I would probably have encouraged that person to add his or her name to the list of persons presenting credentials. So word would get out, but I would not be offended. Or, if I wanted to hold off on the announcement for my own purposes, I might have called Jacob Kaplan myself and explained the situation, advising that my person would be adding his or her name to those scheduled to appear but that I didn't want my prospective appointee to mention it. In which case I might be a tad miffed if said prospective appointee spilled the beans and possibly motivated, then, to look elsewhere.

If the Observer Effect submarines anyone here, I have a clear conscience. But, good heavens, what a crazy process we have.