June 6 meet and greet for some slated countywide candidates in Oak Park

Dawn Gonzalez will host a Meet & Greet with four members of the Cook County Democratic Party's countywide judicial slate on June 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Cross Function Workspace - Atrium Room, 1033 South Boulevard, Oak Park.

Scheduled to appear are Thomas E. Nowinski (Hyman vacancy), Araceli R. De La Cruz (O'Brien vacancy), Diana López (Cannon vacancy), and Ruth Isabel Gudino (McGury vacancy). There is no charge to attend, but persons interested in attending should RSVP to gonzalezd14@sbcglobal.net.

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And now for a commercial from your host and moderator: If you are hosting a candidate forum, or meet & greet, or any other event at which both Cook County judicial candidates and the public will be welcome, please email me at jackleyhane@yahoo.com so I can promote your event, too. I reserve the right to contact you for clarification, verification, or further details but, with that caveat, I will include as many events as I can.

Campaign website launched, May 25 fundraiser set for Christine Svenson

A campaign website is now up and running for Christine Svenson, candidate for the Republican nomination for judge in the 13th Subcircuit. That's a link to the new campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the this site's Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1995, according to ARDC, Svenson, who practices with the Svenson Law Offices in Palatine, also serves as an elected Trustee of Palatine Township. According to her campaign bio, Svenson was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Journeys | The Road Home and provides pro bono services for the Willow Creek Care Center, according to her campaign bio.

Svenson's campaign bio also notes that "she has served as General Counsel and Parliamentarian for the Cook County Republican Party; Chair of the Illinois Chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association and as a national Officer for the Republican National Lawyers Association; and Committeewoman for the Palatine Township Republican Organization." She still serves on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the Federalist Society.

Svenson's supporters are hosting a fundraiser for their candidate this coming Wednesday, May 25, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Chicago Prime Italian, 700 N. Meacham Rd., Schaumburg. Tickets for the event are $150 each or $250 per couple and will include a light buffet dinner and two drink tickets. Sponsorships are also available (Apertivo - $500, Prosecco - $1,000, Sambuca - $2,500). Tickets may be obtained through this page of the campaign website. For questions or more information about the fundraiser, email info@svensonforjudge.org.

Svensons was the Republican nominee for a 13th Subcircuit vacancy in 2018.

Birthday fundraiser for Judge Debra Walker

Supporters of Judge Debra Walker's Appellate Court candidacy (Hall vacancy) are hosting a fundraiser in honor of their candidate's birthday on Tuesday, May 24, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., on the 6th floor at 20 N. Clark Street.

Tickets are $100 each but sponsorships are available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000, Platinum - $2,500). To RSVP or for questions about the event, email gennifer@p2consultinginc.com.

The host committee for this event includes Hon. Helaine L. Berger (Ret.), David Brinton, Deane Brown, Karen Conti, Kathryn Conway, Karen Enright, Dawn Gonzalez, Corinne Heggie, Lori Levin, Radusa Ostojic, Todd Smith, and Karie Valentino.

Silent Auction bids allowed online for tonight's IBF Gala

It is a bit late to get tickets for tonight's Illinois Bar Foundation Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel, especially if you left your tux or formal at the cleaners before Covid and never picked it up. If you want to try, however, you might email Jessie at the IBF.

But that's not the reason for this post.

Rather, the Illinois Bar Foundation has put its silent auction for tonight's Gala online and all are invited to put in bids for auction items right now -- even those who don't remember where the cleaners is. Or used to be.

Campaign website found for Owens "Joe" Shelby

A campaign website has been launched in support of the 7th Subcircuit candidacy of Owens "Joe" Shelby. That's a link to the new campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to this site's Sidebar.

Shelby has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2007, according to ARDC. Shelby's campaign bio states that he has been employed as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney for the past 11 years. Before that, according to the campaign bio, Shelby served as Assistant Counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker.

A graduate of Providence St. Mel High School, Morehouse College, and Chicago Kent College of Law, according to his campaign bio, Shelby has served "on boards for St. Angela School, Better Boy’s Foundation, NAACP Westside Chapter, College Mentoring Experience, St. Joseph Services, and the National Black Prosecutor’s Association."

Shelby also sought a 7th Subcircuit vacancy in 2020.

Campaign website found for David Rodriguez

A campaign website has been launched in support of David Rodriguez's campaign for the Vega vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to this site's Sidebar.

Rodriguez has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1984, according to ARDC. His campaign bio states that he is currently employed as Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Rodriguez is also Chair of the Board of Directors of Aspira of Illinois.

According to his campaign bio, Rodriguez has taught business law at St. Augustine College. He has also served as a volunteer attorney with the Council on Latin American Relations, as American Red Cross Chicago Regional Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Relief Services, and as Legal Advisor to the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees (IAHSE).

Rodriguez was in private practice when tapped for his current position with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Earlier in his career, according to his campaign bio, Rodriguez was an Illinois Assistant Attorney General. His campaign bio notes that Rodriguez opened a regional office of the Attorney General in the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhoods. The office provided assistance to crime victims, fights consumer fraud, assisted immigrants and made government more accessible to Chicago’s north and northwest side residents. Rodriguez has also served as a Commissioner with the State of Illinois Court of Claims.

John Fritchey campaign website goes online

A campaign website has been launched in support of John Fritchey's candidacy for the Gordon vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. That's a link to the new site in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to this site's Sidebar.

Fritchey's new website touts endorsements from Cong. Chuy Garcia; Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry (3rd); Alderpersons Walter Burnett, Brendan Reilly, Harry Osterman; St. Rep. Kam Buckner; and former Ald. Ameya Pawar.

According to ARDC, Fritchey has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1989. ARDC says that Fritchey now works for F4 Consulting Ltd. His LinkedIn profile says that Fritchey serves as Government Relations Director for that firm.

Fritchey is a former Commissioner of the Cook County Board (2010-2018). Before that, from 1996, Fritchey served as a member of the Illinois House. Fritchey did apply for associate judge in 2021.

Fritchey's campaign website emphasizes his accomplishments, or at least his priorities, as a legislator. While several topics are covered (equality, mental health, abortion rights), just by way of example, the site contains this statement (emphasis in original):

Shootings. Carjackings. Robberies. Across Chicago, crime is out of control. John has spent his career fighting to make our neighborhoods safer including passing legislation creating stiffer penalties for gun crimes.

John's efforts to keep us safe led to the Illinois State Crime Commission naming him Democratic Leader of the Year.

As a Cook County Commissioner, John introduced legislation, supported by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, to create a Gun Court that would make it faster to handle gun offenses and would keep repeat offenders from quickly getting back out on our streets.

Campaign website launches for Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr.

A campaign website has been launched in support of Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr., candidate for the Republican nomination for the vacancy in the northwest suburban 13th Subcircuit. That's a link to the new campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to this site's Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney since 2010, according to ARDC, Buttitta is currently the principal of the Buttitta Law Group in Barrington. He began his legal career with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, according to his campaign bio, moving soon thereafter to the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office. Buttitta set up his own practice in 2013.

Buttitta has filed a Notification of Self-Funding; contribution caps are therefore off in this race.

Early voting delayed in Chicago, but only until May 26

Believe it or not, early voting was supposed to start tomorrow in Chicago.

It won't -- but early voting will start Thursday, May 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the Chicago Board of Election Supersite, 191 N. Clark (Lake & Clark).

According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, the opening date was pushed back one week from May 19 to accommodate the recent changes to the ballot, including the removal of the city ward map referendum question, as well as perform all necessary ballot proofing and pre-election testing of voting machines. Additionally, Vote By Mail ballots that were scheduled to start being sent on May 19 will begin hitting the mailboxes early next week.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners reports that the Supersite at 191 N. Clark will be open most days from May 26 to June 28 (Election Day) during the following hours:

Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Election Day (June 28): 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, the Supersite will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. From June 20 to 24, the Supersite will operate on extended hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Other early voting sites, in all of Chicago's 50 wards, are expected to open on June 13. For a complete list of Chicago early voting sites and hours of operation, visit this page of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website.

According to the Board of Election Commissioners, all voters in Chicago may vote at any early voting site, no matter where they live in the City. Voter registration services (new voters, name changes and address updates) will be provided at all Early Voting sites. Two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address, are needed to register for the first time or to file a name change or an address update.

Early voting for Cook County residents living outside Chicago will begin on June 1, according to the Cook County Clerk's Office. From June 1 to June 10, suburban voters will be able to vote in the Pedway at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington.

Suburban early voting sites will open up on June 13, according to the Clerk's Office. For a complete list of suburban early voting locations and hours of operation, visit this page of the Cook County Clerk's website.

Campaign website found for Pat Casey

The first thing one notices about the new Pat Casey campaign website (8th Subcircuit, Gordon vacancy) is that it does not have any pictures of the candidate. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to this site's Sidebar.

Other campaign websites carry at least one picture of the candidate; most are chock full of pictures of the candidate alone, of the candidate and his or her family, and/or of the candidate and various persons who could be coaxed into standing still long enough for a picture. In this high-powered smart-phone era, one needn't stand still for long....

I do not criticize, obviously. How could I? I myself have a face made for radio. Which, by the way, should not be taken as any sort of backhanded disparagement of this candidate's appearance. Again, how could I? I don't know what the candidate looks like.

I do know the new campaign website contains this carefully-worded campaign bio:

I am a resident of the 3rd Ward in the City of Chicago and I have the support of the Hon. Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward Alderman and Committeeperson.

I am active in the community and with professional organizations. I am a longtime supporter of Misericordia, where a family member is a resident. I am a member of the Chicago Bar Association, and American Bar Association. I have served as a Pro bono attorney for many individuals who need legal representation. I have been an Advisory Board member of System of Care Chicago, a youth and family focused behavioral and mental health program to erase the stigma of mental health and to make mental health services more available to families and youth of Chicago. I also support the Lakeview Pantry and the Jason Foundation, a nationwide suicide awareness, prevention and education not for profit.

I served as an Administrative Law Judge for over 10 years, the last 7 with the Illinois Department of Human Services where I oversaw long term care cases, before returning to private practice. Prior to my appointment as an Administrative Law Judge, I was in private practice concentrating on police misconduct cases, personal injury cases, and criminal defense matters.

I can also tell you that this is the second time Casey has filed to run for judge. Casey withdrew from the 2020 primary. Moreover, I exhuasted the Pat or Pat shtick in my 2019 post on Casey's last campaign website.

Finally, I can report that Patrick A. Casey has been licensed to practice in Illinois since 2001, according to ARDC.

Shelley M. Bethune named first Executive Director and General Counsel of the Illinois Courts Commission

Press release issued today by the Illinois Courts Commission:

The Illinois Courts Commission announced today that it has hired Shelley M. Bethune as its first Executive Director and General Counsel. Ms. Bethune will serve as the head of the agency and will supervise its day-to-day operations. She will take up her new responsibilities on June 1, 2022.

"We are thrilled to welcome Shelley as the first Executive Director of the Illinois Courts Commission," said Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, Chair of the Courts Commission. "Her background in ethics and the discipline process sets her up for success in this position. Her hiring helps maintain public confidence in our courts by providing for a robust judicial disciplinary system."

Ms. Bethune's most recent position was with the law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. There she defended attorneys in disciplinary proceedings before the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) and other lawyer regulatory agencies, as well as in civil legal malpractice actions. She also advised law firms and attorneys on various risk management issues to ensure compliance with their professional obligations. As part of this, she composed opinion letters analyzing relevant Rules of Professional Conduct and handled risk management hotline calls from attorneys on a wide range of ethical dilemmas.

"I am very honored to serve as the Courts Commission’s first Executive Director and General Counsel and humbled by the confidence the Commission has placed in me," Bethune said. "I am excited to bring my experience in legal ethics and attorney discipline to the important work of the Commission, and I am equally eager to help maintain the integrity of the judiciary and inspire the public’s confidence in our court system through this new role."

Prior to joining Hinshaw and Culbertson, Ms. Bethune served as Litigation Counsel for the ARDC. There she investigated hundreds of allegations of professional misconduct against Illinois attorneys to determine whether public charges of a violation of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct were warranted. She represented the ARDC Administrator in proceedings before the Inquiry and Hearing Boards and prepared pleadings for matters before the Hearing Board and the Illinois Supreme Court. She also provided guidance on ethical issues to Illinois attorneys through the Ethics Inquiry Program.

Ms. Bethune received her Juris Doctor from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. During law school, she externed in the Chambers of the Hon. Ruben Castillo in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The Executive Director and General Counsel will have an office at the Commission’s headquarters in Chicago.

Campaign website for Barry Goldberg found online

A reader alerted me to the new campaign website supporting the 9th Subcircuit candidacy of Barry Goldberg (Jacobius vacancy). That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to this site's Sidebar.

Licensed in Illinois since 1999, according to ARDC, Goldberg has spend his entire legal career in the Illinois Attorney General's office. He currently serves as Bureau Chief of the Charitable Trust Bureau, according to his campaign bio.

According to his campaign bio, Goldberg's father is an immigrant and his paternal grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. His maternal grandfather, Rabbi Menahim M. Goodman, was the rabbi of Congregation Anshe Motele on California Avenue for more than 30 years.

A former president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Goldberg was raised in West Rogers Park and Skokie and is a Niles West graduate. His campaign website lists the recently retired judge whose vacancy he seeks, Moshe Jacobius, as the Honorary Chair of his campaign committee.

Fundraiser Wednesday evening for Claudia Silva-Hernandez

I am reproducing the entire flyer below because it has a QR code and, supposedly, interested persons can use the QR code to register for Wednesday evening's event (from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) at the Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard Street.

When it comes to QR codes, I am in the same boat as Steve Stone on the White Sox telecasts.

I thought the QR codes boomlet of a couple years past had come and gone without my ever having to figure them out, but they obviously are here again, on the ballgame broadcasts and, now, in Cook County judicial fundraising efforts.

If you are unwilling to venture into this old/new-again brave new world of QR codes, but still wish to attend this event, you may do so by following this link from the candidate's campaign website. Individual tickets are $75 apiece and sponsorships are available (Friend - $150, Supporter - $250, Sponsor - $500).

Questions about the event specifically (as opposed to questions about QR codes generally) may be sent to angiesforsilvahernandez@gmail.com.

Aileen Bhandari campaign website goes live

A campaign website has been launched in support of Aileen Bhandari's campaign for the McGuire vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the Sidebar on this site.

Licensed in Illinois since 2002, according to ARDC, Bhandari is a career Assistant Cook County State's Attorney, having handled over 300 bench trials and 40 jury trials, according to her campaign website.

Her campaign bio notes that Bhandari is a second generation Indian and Filipino American who was raised on Chicago's Northwest side. She attended Our Lady of Victory grammar school and Notre Dame High School for Girls. Bhandari did her undergraduate work at Loyola and attended DePaul University College of Law.

Bhandari made the short list for Cook County Associate Judge in 2019. She ran for a countywide vacancy in 2020. Bhandari was president of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago and, according to her campaign bio, has served as president of the National Asian Pacific Islanders Prosecutor’s Association Chicago Region.

Circuit Court of Cook County reinstates three Supreme Court candidates

Following an afternoon Zoom hearing, the Circuit Court of Cook County late yesterday issued an order reinstating the Supreme Court candidacies of Appellate Court Justice Susan F. Hutchinson, former Lake County Sheriff Mark C. Curran, Jr., and Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rodkin Rotering.

Hutchinson and Curran were, and will be again, subject to any further appeals, candidates for the Republican nomination for the Supreme Court in the newly redrawn Second Judicial District; Rotering was, and now is again, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for that seat.

At yesterday's hearing, counsel for all parties insisted that the principally disputed statute -- §7-10(h) of the Illinois Election Code, 10 ILCS 5/7-10(h) -- was clear on its face, but (of course) each side asserted that the 'clear' provisions of that text supported their diametrically opposed positions. Judge Maureen Hannon sought agreement from the parties that, given their respective positions, the statute must be ambiguous. In her subsequent written opinion, Judge Hannon stated, "A statute is ambiguous if it is capable of being understood by reasonably well-informed persons in two or more different ways. People v. Jameson, 162 Ill.2d 282, 288 (1994)."

This case arose from a decision of the Illinois State Board of Elections that went against the recommendation of its own hearing officer and general counsel. See, Three candidates removed from Supreme Court race in Second Judicial District.

Following the issuance of yesterday's order, Justice Hutchinson stated, "I'm very happy with this ruling. Judge Hannon studied the issues carefully, asked good questions and came to the correct conclusion."

Hutchinson's attorney, Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer of Ancel Glink, added, "This is a victory for Justice Hutchinson, but also for the voters in the new second district who now have expanded choices in this important race."

Ed Mullen, of the Mullen Law Firm, represented Nancy Rotering. He said, "Judge Hannon’s decision is, in my opinion, consistent with the Election Code, relevant precedent, and the longstanding practice of the Illinois State Board of Elections. Ballot access is a substantial right in Illinois, not only for candidates, but for all voters to have choices. This decision gives voters in the Second Judicial District a real choice in the primary election, and I am thrilled that Democrats will have the opportunity to vote for Nancy Rotering for the Illinois Supreme Court."

Lawyers Club of Chicago presents conversation with Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans on May 26

The Lawyers Club of Chicago will present Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans "in conversation with Circuit Judge Nichole Patton in celebration of [Evans'] 30 year Judicial anniversary" at its Thursday, May 26 lunch meeting, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., at Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd.

Tickets for the event are $60 for members, $65 for non-members. (To apply for membership in the Lawyers Club, click here.) To register for the event, click here.

The club will conduct its annual meeting immediately following the program with Judge Evans.

IVI-IPO announces endorsements in Cook County judicial races

The Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization has announced its endorsements for Cook County judicial candidates running in the June 28 primary.

The IVI-IPO has also endorsed Kane County Circuit Court Judge René Cruz for the Democratic nomination for the Illinois Supreme Court in the newly redrawn Second Judicial District.

In the races for the two open Appellate Court seats in Cook County, the IVI-IPO endorsed Judge Debra B. Walker for the Hall vacancy and Judge John H. Ehrlich for the Harris vacancy.

The IVI-IPO did not make endorsements in every countywide Cook County Circuit Court race, but it has announced these endorsements:

• Monica G. Somerville
  Cannon Vacancy


• Deidre Baumann
  Lynch Vacancy


• Chelsey Renece Robinson
  McGury Vacancy


• Dan Balanoff
  O'Brien Vacancy


• Thomas More Donnelly
  Sullivan Vacancy

Similarly, the IVI-IPO did not offer endorsements in every Cook County subscircuit race, but it did make the following endorsements in these subcircuit races:

• John W. Wilson
  1st Subcircuit, Johnson Vacancy


• Jerry Barrido
  4th Subcircuit, Rogers Vacancy


• David L. Kelly
  5th Subcircuit, Portman-Brown Vacancy


• Timothy W. Wright
  5th Subcircuit, Shelley Vacancy


• David S. Rodriguez
  6th Subcircuit, Vega Vacancy


• Owens "Joe" Shelby
  7th Subcircuit, Martin Vacancy


• Bradley R. Trowbridge
  8th Subcircuit, Gordon Vacancy


• Sanjay Tailor
  9th Subcircuit, Cleveland Vacancy


• Barry Goldberg
  9th Subcircuit, Jacobius Vacancy


• Aileen Bhandari
  11th Subcircuit, McGuire Vacancy


• Joe Gump
  13th Subcircuit, Groebner Vacancy

Joe Gump campaign website now live

A campaign website has been set up in support of Joe Gump's campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for the Groebner vacancy in the 13th Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the candidate list on this site's Sidebar.

Gump has been admitted to practice in Illinois since 1987, according to ARDC. He currently is self-employed.

But, as his campaign website attests, Gump spent the vast majority of his legal career in the Cook County Public Defender's Office, the last 17 years of which were spent as a felony trial attorney at the Rolling Meadows courthouse. His campaign website also notes that he served as an executive board member of AFSCME Council 31, Local 3315 (the Cook County Public Defender Association) for 28 years.

Gump's website contains the following statement by the candidate:

As a public defender, I have enjoyed working with most States Attorneys and Judges to find appropriate dispositions in criminal cases that take into account the nature and circumstances of the offense, injury to the complainant or to society, and the background of the accused, including prior criminal behavior, mental health history, and drug or alcohol dependence. While I recognize the need for incarceration in some cases, I also believe in the concept of rehabilitative potential, and support the notion of progressive and corrective discipline where necessary. I am a strong believer in specialty courts such as the mental health court, drug court and veterans court, and I support bond reform measures that affirm the presumption of innocence by allowing the accused to remain free on bond or on electronic home monitoring pending the disposition of their cases.

Gump was a previously a candidate for judge in the 13th Subcircuit in 2008 and 2020.

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Photo credit (per candidate website): Manfred Pfeifer Photographer

Spring Into Action fundraiser for Judge David L. Kelly on May 17

Supporters of Judge David L. Kelly's 5th Subcircuit campaign are planning a "Spring Into Action" fundraiser for Tuesday, May 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Retreat, 305 E. Garfield.

As an aside, that may be the first time I linked to a venue's Instagram page. Retreat (full name: Retreat at Currency Exchange) also has a Facebook page, perhaps for the benefit of the less hip, such as yours truly.

But to resume: Tickets for the May 17 event are $50 apiece, but sponsorships are available (Friend - $100, Supporter - $250, Ally - $500, Patron - $1,000, Champion - $2,500). To reserve tickets email hello@judgedavidkelly.com. For more information about the event, or for any questions, contact Stephanie Kelly at (773) 454-2103.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Kelly to the Portman-Brown vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit last July. This is the vacancy he is seeking in the June primary.

Jorge Cazares campaign website found online

A campaign website is now live for 14th Subcircuit candidate Jorge V. Cazares (Jagielski vacancy). That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to this site's candidate Sidebar.

Licensed in Illinois since 1990, according to ARDC, Cazares is a partner in the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.

His campaign website notes that Cazares was the first Latino to serve as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for the Chicago Housing Authority. After returning to private practice, according his campaign website, Cazares was appointed Chief Ethics Officer for the CHA and Chief EEO Officer for the CHA.

Before joining Hinshaw, Cazares worked for Altheimer & Gray (where, his campaign bio notes, he was the only Latino lawyer in the 250-person firm) and, later, Pugh, Jones & Hubbard, P.C. (which later became Pugh Jones & Johnson, P.C.). According to his campaign website, Cazares' "practice included the representation of clients in contract and business disputes, commercial litigation, employment discrimination, local governmental defense, civil rights defense, products liability, defamation, major personal injury defense, labor disputes and arbitrations, RICO, bankruptcy litigation, and commercial real estate litigation matters."

A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, Cazares did his undergraduate work at Yale before 'returning home' to attend the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, according to his campaign bio. Cazares is a member of the Board of Directors of the Gads Hill Center and, according to his campaign bio, a founding member and Director of the Chicago Police Foundation. Cazares is fluent in Spanish, according to his campaign bio, and he and his wife of more than 25 years have raised their two sons to speak Spanish as well.

Campaign website launches for Kerrie Maloney Laytin

A campaign website has been launched for 6th Subcircuit candidate Kerrie Maloney Laytin (Vega vacancy). That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the site Sidebar.

Laytin has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2000, according to ARDC. She has served as a Cook County Associate Judge since October 2021. She previously served as a Circuit Court judge pursuant to appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court; she was a candidate for that seat in the 2020 election cycle.

According to her campaign bio, in addition to her judicial service, Laytin has served "the public in government and public interest positions throughout her career, such as Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Human Rights Commission and Staff Attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation (now Legal Aid Chicago) representing people living in poverty."

Maloney Laytin's campaign bio states that she "is in her second three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors for High Jump, an organization providing intensive academic enrichment and support to low-income middle school students, primarily of color. She also has volunteered regularly for other community organizations such as the Ark Food Pantry and Stand Up For Kids Chicago, an organization combatting youth homelessness primarily impacting LGBTQ+ youth. She has worked with the Interrupters, an anti-violence organization, and is a supporter of the Jason Foundation, a nationwide not-for-profit dedicated to youth suicide awareness, education, and prevention." Maloney Laytin is also "raising her two children in the 6th Subcircuit and is actively involved in her children’s schools."

Another campaign website goes online: 4th Subcircuit candidate Patrick Campanelli

A campaign website is now up and running for 4th Subcircuit candidate Patrick Campanelli (Rogers vacancy). That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to this site's Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1986, according to ARDC, Campanelli currently practices from an office in Palos Hills.

Campanelli's website notes that he set up his private practice in 1997, after starting his career as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. He has taught law-related courses at Joliet Junior College, according to his campaign website. He is married to Amy Campanelli, the former Public Defender for Cook County.

Patrick Campanelli made the news some years back reprsenting a Cubs fan falsely accused of disorderly conduct who was, according to Abdon M. Pallasch's June 17, 2003 story in the Chicago Sun-Times, "caught on video with Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter's hands around his neck when Kreuter and other Dodgers stormed the stands at Wrigley three years ago looking for another fan who stole Kreuter's hat."

The person who actually stole the bat -- a Tribune employee, according to Pallasch's story -- was never charged. The criminal charges against Campanelli's client were dropped, setting the stage for the civil suit. In addition to the $475,000 verdict against the Cubs, according to the Sun-Times write-up, Campanelli obtained a $300,000 settlement from the Dodgers.

Pallasch's story noted that, in addition to the civil lawsuits, "The Dodgers' actions prompted Major League Baseball to enact the largest mass suspension in baseball history: 19 Dodgers for a total of 89 games and $77,000 in fines. Ultimately, the suspensions of 11 players and one coach were overturned."

This is Campanelli's first bid for elected judicial office.

Found on the Internet: Campaign website for Mary Bernadette McMahon

Countywide judicial candidate Mary Bernadette McMahon (Callahan vacancy) now has a campaign website. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the Sidebar on this site.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2005, according to ARDC, McMahon has spent the "majority of her legal career in courtrooms where she worked as an Assistant State's Attorney assigned to the Felony Trial Division," according to her campaign bio. The campaign bio notes that she currently serves as a supervisor in the CCSAO.

McMahon resides on Chicago's Northwest Side with her husband, a firefighter, and their 4-year old son, according to her campaign bio. A Fenwick graduate, McMahon did her undergraduate work at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. before 'returning home' to attend the DePaul University College of Law.

This is McMahon's first campaign for election to the bench.

Campaign website found for Judie Lyn Smith

A campaign website has now been launched in support of Judie Lyn Smith's 5th Subcircuit candidacy (Shelley vacancy). That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the site Sidebar as well.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1992, according to ARDC, Smith currently serves as a an Assistant Public Defender, based in Markham.

Smith's campaign bio notes that she has been in the Public Defender's Office for the past 18 years "serving the voiceless, underserved, and indigent accused, no matter what." According to her campaign bio, Smith also worked as a clerk to "two appellate-level judges" and as a sole practitioner. The campaign bio also notes that Smith is conversant in French and Japanese, having "lived in Japan as an American lawyer and English teacher" and having pursued "undergraduate studies at the Sorbonne."

Smith is also an "urban farmer," according to her campaign bio, farming "at two community garden plots located within the fifth judicial sub-circuit" and donating "her farming skills, time, organic seeds, and the resulting, bountiful harvests to community organizations."

This is Smith's first bid for election to the bench, although she has previously applied for associate judge.

Barrido campaign sets May 16 fundraiser

Supporters of Jerry Barrido's 4th Subcircuit candidacy are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Monday, May 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Ryan's Public House, 8942 Ogden in Brookfield.

Beer, wine, and appetizers will be served. Individual tickets are $100 each. Sponsorships are available (Silver - $250, Gold - $500). Tickets will be available at the door. For more information about the event, or to reserve tickets, email barridolaw@gmail.com.

Campaign website found for Chelsey Renece Robinson

Updated and corrected 5/9/22

A campaign website has been launched in support of Chelsey Renece Robinson's campaign for the countywide McGury vacancy. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the site sidebar as well.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1996, according to ARDC, Robinson is a member of the Orland Park firm of Owens & Robinson.

Robinson's campaign website contains this statement:

She has defended the constitutional rights of those wrongfully accused. She has stood with and advocated for victims of crime. She has been a litigator for over 25 years and has observed members of the judiciary abuse their position, fail to uphold the law, and commit blatant injustice from the bench. She will stand for true justice and she will uphold and enforce the law. She will ensure that everyone that comes before her will obtain the justice they seek or receive the consequences for their actions that they deserve.

Under the heading, "Chelsey Renece Robinson stands for what is right," the campaign website proclaims:

will promote Restorative Justice to repair the harm caused by crime. She will enter judgments designed to recompense, restore, rehabilitate, and educate. She will seek to vindicate victims and protect the rights of all citizens.

This is Robinson's fourth attempt to obtain a seat on the Circuit Court. She was a 2nd Subcircuit candidate in 2020, 2016, and also in 2018, although she withdrew from the 2018 race before the primary.

Robinson's campaign also has active Facebook and Instagram pages.

CBA Symphony Orchestra and CBA Chorus present a Mozart renewal May 7 and June 5

The Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra and the CBA Chorus return will offer all-Mozart concert on Saturday, May 7, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St.

Included in the program of choral and orchestral selections is music from The Magic Flute and The Impresario, the composer's Te Deum and Ave Verum Corpus, and the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola (with Pat Bronte and Adrienne Kitchen as soloists.) Marek Rachelski, Stephen Blackwelder and David Katz conduct.

Tickets for the concert range from $10 (for law students or persons 18 or younger) to $15 (for adults) and are available at this link. Masks will be required for this performance. Tickets will be available at the door tomorrow ($20 for adults, $15 for students).

The CBA Symphony and CBA Chorus will present an encore of this program on Saturday, June 5, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at St. John Brebeuf Church, 8305 N. Harlem Ave., in Niles. Ticket prices for this encore program are the same as those for tomorrow's performance. Tickets for the June 5 program are available at this link.

Advocates to march Saturday in Polish Constitution Day Parade

The Advocates Society is asking members and friends to consider joining them tomorrow, Saturday, May 7, for the Polish Constitution Day Parade.

Interested persons should assemble on Balbo at Columbus by 10:30 a.m. The Advocates will be Unit #38 in the parade.

From the Advocates' invitation:

The Chicago parade has been around for more than a century and is considered one of the largest Polish cultural events outside of Poland. It marks the anniversary of the Polish constitution, which was adopted on May 3, 1791. That constitution, the first written constitution in Europe, recognized peasant rights under the law and religious tolerance. It was also an attempt to reform Poland’s political structure and strengthen Polish institutions in order to try to save Poland from neighbors Russia, Prussia and Austria, which continued to divide up the country through 1795. The partition of Poland lasted for 123 years until Poland’s sovereignty was restored in 1918.

Jerry Barrido campaign website goes live

Supporters of Jerry Barrido's bid for the Rogers vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit have launched a campaign website on his behalf. That's a link to the new campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the sidebar on this site.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1999, according to ARDC, Barrido has served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender since graduating from DePaul Law School in 1999.

Barrido's campaign bio noes that he has tried over 250 cases and, in addition, has written on statement suppression cases for an Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education handbook. He has lectured at CLE seminars sponsored by IICLE, the Illinois State Bar Association, "and at various other seminars on topics such as motion practice, forensic science evidence, and cross-examination, in both Illinois and Wisconsin," according to his campaign bio.

The campaign bio also notes that Barrido and his wife, attorney Maria Barrido, have two college-age children. "In addition to his volunteer work in the community," according to his campaign bio, Barrido "has coached little league baseball, junior basketball, and FIRST robotics competitions."

Barrido was a candidate for a countywide vacancy in 2018.

According to Bob Skolnik's March 15 article for the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, "Judicial candidates with clout face off in local race," Barrido deliberately chose to file for the Rogers vacancy, where he is pitted against the wife of the Speaker of the Illinois House and a niece of the Cook County Clerk. Skolnik quotes Barrido as saying, "I deliberately wanted to give the people a choice as to whether or not they wanted to go with the status quo Democratic politics or to have someone who is a fighter in the courtroom, who has a reputation as a zealous advocate and a hard worker period."

There is also a fourth candidate in this race, solo practitioner Patrick Campanelli, in addition to Barrido, ShawnTe Raines-Welch, and Chloe Pedersen.

Campaign website found for Marcia O'Brien Conway

Found on the Internet, a campaign website for 7th Subcircuit candidate Marcia O'Brien Conway. That's a link to the website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the sidebar on this site.

Licensed in Illinois since 1984, according to ARDC, Conway currently practices with the Conway Law Offices in Chicago's Loop. This is Conway's second stint as a solo practitioner but, according to her campaign website, between 1993 and 2018 Conway was a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. She began her legal career with Winston & Strawn, working there from 1984 to 1988. She was Editor-in-Chief of the Loyola Law Review.

Conway's campaign bio notes that, while continuing to practice, she raised triplets as a single mother. Her campaign bio says that Conway came from a "close-knit family where family and community were an integral part of life." According to her campaign bio, Conway has performed volunteer work for the River Forest Civic Association, Mothers Against Violence Everywhere, the National Alliance on Mental Health, the Organization for Autism Research, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Conway was a previously candidate for a 7th Subcircuit vacancy in the 2020 election cycle. One of her opponents then was Owens "Joe" Shelby; he is her only opponent in this year's race.

Chicago Federation of Labor tweaks its Cook County judicial endorsement list

The Chicago Federation of Labor has issued an updated endorsement list (and thanks to a reader -- who, to my astonishment, goes by the name 'Anonymous' -- for the tip). The new list shows that Yolanda Harris Sayre has been endorsed for the countywide Ingram vacancy.

The CFL apparently made no other changes on the judicial candidate list -- except the express proclamation of neutrality in the race for the Lipscomb vacancy, which was on the former list, is now missing. The race is simply overlooked.

For now?

Jenetia Marshall campaign website now live

A campaign website has been set up in support of Jenetia Marshall's campaign for the Portman-Brown vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the list of Circuit Court candidate websites in this site's sidebar.

Admitted to practice in Illinois in 2004, according to the ARDC website, Marshall's campaign website notes that she works as Statewide Compliance Administrator for The Department of Children & Family Services. Marshall joined DCFS in 2019, according to her campaign website, serving there first as Supervisor Regional Counsel.

Before that, according to her campaign bio, Marshall worked for the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian. Before embarking on her legal career, Marshall worked as a program manager with Northeastern Illinois University following her graduation from Spelman College in 1995. She is a life-long South Sider, a product of Chicago Public Schools, and a graduate of Kenwood Academy, according to her campaign bio.

Marshall's campaign bio also notes that she "is a member of Just Christ Ministries, where Anthony D. Wright is the Pastor and has been a member and servant of the Lord for over twenty years, currently serving as Board Treasurer." According to her campaign bio, she helped create a food pantry for the church, and has participated in the church's Ring of Hope boxing program, and Mentorship Ministry.

Marshall was a candidate for a 5th Subcircuit vacancy in 2018. One of her opponents then is her only opponent now, David L. Kelly.

Found online: Campaign website for Judge Debra Walker

A campaign website has been launched in support of Judge Debra Walker's candidacy for the Hall vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has been included in the newly added list of Appellate Court candidate websites in this site's Sidebar.

Walker's campaign bio notes that she has served on the Cook County bench since her election in 2008. According to her campaign bio, Walker is assigned to the court's Domestic Relations Division, where "she primarily handles pre-trials and trials of financially complex divorces."

Walker has served as Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism for six years, according to her campaign bio. She also served, pursuant to Supreme Court appointment, on the board of the Access to Justice Commission from 2012 to 2018.

Walker is a past president of the Illinois Judges Foundation and served as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation. She is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinoi. In 2019, according to her campaign bio, Walker received the Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, the University of Illinois College of Law.

According to her campaign bio, Walker lives in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago with her husband and her two teenage children.

Walker's campaign also has campaign Facebook and Instagram pages, but neither are appears particularly active at the present.

Chicago Federation of Labor announces endorsements in Cook County judicial races

The Chicago Federation of Labor has announced its endorsements for the forthcoming June 28 primary. The complete list of endorsements, for judicial and non-judicial offices alike, is here.

In countywide judicial races, in recent years, the CFL has typically followed along with most of the Cook County Democratic Party's endorsements. Most, but not all.

This year is no exception. While the CFL has echoed the Democratic Party's endorsement of Judge Dominique C. Ross for the Hall vacancy on the Appellate Court, it has bypassed Judge John H. Ehrlich, the Party's endorsed candidate, in favor of Judge Raymond W. Mitchell for the Harris vacancy.

In countywide Circuit Court races, the CFL has endorsed:

• Howard B. Brookins, Jr. (Brennan vacancy),
• Diana López (Cannon vacancy),
• Thomas Nowinski (Hyman vacancy),
• Rena Marie Van Tine (Leeming vacancy),
• Michael Weaver (Lynch vacancy),
• Ruth Isabel Gudino (McGury vacancy), and
• Araceli R. De La Cruz (O'Brien vacancy).

Each of these seven candidates was also endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party.

However, the CFL bypassed Judge Tracie Porter, the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate, in favor of Mary Bernadette McMahon for the Callahan vacancy. The Party's endorsed candidate for the Sullivan vacancy, Judge Thomas M. Donnelly, was passed over in favor of Claudia Silva-Hernandez.

Also, while there was no explicit proclamation of neutrality in the race for the Ingram vacancy, no endorsement for that contest is included in the CFL's list. Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan had the CFL's endorsement in the 2020 race but neither Ryan nor the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate in this race, Yolanda Harris Sayre, has been endorsed at this point.

In contested subcircuit races the CFL has made the following endorsements:

• John W. Wilson (1st Subcircuit, Johnson vacancy),


• Amanda Moira Pillsbury (4th Subcircuit, Gavin vacancy),
• Shawn Te Raines-Welch (4th Subcircuit, Rogers vacancy),


• David L. Kelly (5th Subcircuit, Portman-Brown vacancy),
• Timothy W. Wright III (5th Subcircuit, Shelley vacancy),


• Kerrie Maloney Laytin (6th Subcircuit, Vega vacancy),


• Marcia O'Brien Conway (7th Subcircuit, Martin vacancy),


• Pat Casey (8th Subcircuit, Gordon vacancy),


• Sanjay Tailor (9th Subcircuit, Cleveland vacancy),
• Barry Goldberg (9th Subcircuit, Jacobius vacancy),


• Chris Taliaferro (11th Subcircuit, McGuire vacancy),


• James "Jack" Costello (13th Subcircuit, Groebner vacancy),


• Viviana Martinez (14th Subcircuit, Jagielski vacancy), and


• Jim Gleffe (15th Subcircuit, Lawler vacancy).

For the record, the CFL also endorsed Charles "Charlie" Beach in his uncontested 6th Subcircuit race and also Iris Y. Chavira in her uncontested 14th Subcircuit bid.

The CFL officially proclaimed its neutrality in the race for the Lipscomb vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit.

Today at noon in the Daley Center Plaza

The Chicago Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section will be commemmorating Law Day (which was actually this past Sunday) today, at noon, in the Daley Center Plaza. The theme of this year's Law Day celebration is Toward a More Perfect Union -- the Constitution in Times of Change.

The CBA Barristers Big Band will provide musical selections and Judge Nichole Patton will provide "personal reflections" on the Law Day theme. The CBA will also present its Liberty Bell Award to a non-lawyer who has contributed to the administration of justice.

May 6 fundraiser for Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan; campaign website launched

At least one candidate apparently has hope that this never-ending, cold, wet gloom will somehow ripen into spring, at least judging by this flyer for a Friday, May 6 fundraiser for Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan:

Ryan's event is set for Friday, May 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at The Flower Firm, 1945 W. Fulton St.

Music will be provided by Old Style Neon; food and beverages will be served. Tickets are $50 apiece, but sponsorships are available ($250 - $500 - $1,000 - $2,500) and any of these may be obtained online at www.paypal.me/Ryanforjudge.

Ryan's supporters have also launched a campaign website for their candidate. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the site Sidebar.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2004, according to ARDC, Ryan is the owner of the Loop Law Office of Elizabeth C. Ryan. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, according to her campaign biography (Christ the King, Mother McAuley), Ryan now resides on the Northwest Side of the City, in Sauganash, with her husband and four daughters. She currently serves on the school board at Queen of All Saints.

Campaign website, other social media sites launched for Devlin Joseph Schoop

A campaign website has been launched in support of Devlin Jospeh Schoop's bid for the Harris vacancy on the Appellate Court. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence. Schoop's campaign also has Facebook and Instagram pages.

Schoop's campaign biography says that Schoop is "now the practice chair of the Cochran Firm Chicago’s Civil Rights Practice Group, representing people who have suffered at the hands of systemic abuses inflicted by indifferent governments." The campaign bio describes Schoop as a "product of Chicago Public Schools" (he is a Whitney Young graduate). According to the campaign bio Schoop "attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where he was awarded the Martin Luther King Academic Scholarship and was a member of the prestigious Honors College. During college, he worked at the union-side labor law firm Cotton Watt Jones and King and was mentored by African-American labor lawyer Irving M. King, the late father of Chosen Few D.J., Alan King."

After graduating from the University of Illinois Law School, Schoop clerked for U.S. District Court Blanche M. Manning, according to his campaign bio. The bio also notes that Schoop has "volunteered for Chicago Public Libraries Street Law programs, teaching youngsters from the Austin, South Chicago, Pullman and West Pullman communities about their rights and responsibilities under the law."

Schoop served on the Cook County Circuit Court, pursuant to appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court, from 2015-2016. He was a candidate for a 2nd Subcircuit vacancy in the 2018 election cycle.

The updated list of Cook County judicial candidates

Updated 5/4/22
Herewith the list, updated as a result of ballot lotteries and actions taken by the Cook County Officers Electoral Board. Links are to prior coverage on FWIW.

Appellate Court Vacancies

Hall Vacancy

Russell "Russ" Hartigan
Dominque C. Ross
Debra B. Walker

Harris Vacancy

Raymond W. Mitchell
Devlin Joseph Schoop
John H. Ehrlich

Countywide Vacancies

Brennan Vacancy

Howard Brookins, Jr.
Ubi O'Neal
Lisa Michelle Taylor

Callahan, Jr. Vacancy

Mary Bernadette McMahon
Suzanne Therese McEneely
Tracie Porter

Cannon Vacancy

Diana López
Monica G. Somerville
Mable Taylor

Hyman Vacancy

Thomas E. Nowinski
Carmen Migdalia Quinones

Ingram Vacancy

Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan
Yolanda Harris Sayre

Leeming Vacancy

Rena Marie Van Tine
Wende Williams

Lynch Vacancy

Deidre Baumann
Paul Joyce
Michael Weaver

McGury Vacancy

Ruth Isabel Gudino
Chelsey Renece Robinson

O'Brien Vacancy

Araceli R. De La Cruz
Jacqueline Marie Griffin
Dan Balanoff

Sullivan Vacancy

Thomas More Donnelly
Claudia Silva-Hernandez
Meridth Vanae Hammer

Subcircuit Vacancies

1st Subcircuit - Johnson Vacancy

Maria M. Barlow
John W. Wilson

4th Subcircuit - Gavin Vacancy

Nick Kantas
Amanda Moira Pillsbury

4th Subcircuit - Rogers Vacancy

Jerry Barrido
Chloe Georgianna Pedersen
ShawnTe Raines-Welch
Patrick Campanelli

5th Subcircuit - Portman-Brown Vacancy

David L. Kelly
Jenetia Marshall

5th Subcircuit - Shelley Vacancy

Timothy W. Wright III
Judie Lyn Smith
Tiffany N. Brooks
Jackie Marie Portman-Brown

6th Subcircuit - Araujo Vacancy

Charles "Charlie" Beach

6th Subcircuit - Vega Vacancy

David S. Rodriguez
Kerrie Maloney Laytin

7th Subcircuit - Martin Vacancy

Marcia O'Brien Conway
Owens "Joe" Shelby

8th Subcircuit - Gordon Vacancy

Pat Casey
Bradley R. Trowbridge
John Fritchey

8th Subcircuit - Lipscomb Vacancy

Jennifer Bae
Stephen Swedlow

9th Subcircuit - Cleveland Vacancy

Sanjay Tailor
Ann Buran-Vongher

9th Subcircuit - Jacobius Vacancy

Basileios "Bill" John Foutris
Torrick Alan Ward
Barry Goldberg
Don R. Sampen

11th Subcircuit - McGuire Vacancy

Chris Taliaferro
Aileen Bhandari

13th Subcircuit - Groebner Vacancy
Republican Candidates

Christine Svenson
Gary William Seyring
Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr.

Democratic Candidates

James "Jack" Costello
Joe Gump

14th Subcircuit - Brown Vacancy

Iris Y. Chavira

14th Subcircuit - Jagielski Vacancy

Steve Demitro
Viviana Martinez
Jorge V. Cazares

15th Subcircuit - Lawler Vacancy

Bernadette Barrett
Jim Gleffe

Cook County Electoral Board knocks one judicial hopeful off June ballot, overrules objections to four others

At its meeting on Friday, April 29, the Cook County Officers Electoral Board voted to sustain the objections filed to the nominating petitions of former Judge Elizabeth Anne Karkula, finding that her petitions had just more than 1500 fewer signatures than required for a countywide vacancy.

Karkula had been a candidate for the countywide Hyman vacancy. Her removal from the ballot leaves a one-on-one contest between slated candidate Thomas Nowinski and Carmen Migdalia Quinones.

In separate actions at that same meeting, the Cook County Officers Electoral Board overruled objections to the Appellate Court candidacy of Devlin Joseph Schoop (Harris vacancy), finding that he had 3058 more signatures than required on his nominating petitions and agreeing with its hearing officer that the objection to the certification language in the petitions was not well-founded.

The Board also overruled objections to the nominating petitions of first-time judicial candidate Mary Bernadette McMahon. The objection to McMahon's petitions also focused on the certification language in the petitions, but the Board agreed with its hearing officer that the language used was within the contemplation of §7-10 of the Election Code, 10 ILCS 5/7-10.

The Board's action means that McMahaon will remain a candidate for the late-opening countywide Callahan vacancy. She will have the top ballot position, ahead of Suzanne Therese McEneely and Judge Tracie Porter.

The other two cases disposed of Friday by the Electoral Board overruled objections against two subcircuit candidates.

The objections to petitions filed by 8th Subcircuit candidate Bradley R. Trowbridge also focused on certification language. The hearing officer found that the candidate's testimony regarding corrective measures taken concerning that language (necessitated by this year's unique circulation rules) was unrebutted and that the objection thereto was not well-founded. The Board adopted the recommendations made by its hearing officer. Trowbridge will remain a candidate for the Gordon vacancy.

Associate Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin will also remain a candidate for the Vega vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit as a result of the Board's action Friday: The Board approved the finding and recommendation of its hearing officer, agreeing that, after scrutiny via a Records Examination, Laytin's petitions had 115 more signatures than required.

Last week's decisions by the Cook County Officers Electoral Board completes its review of objections made to nominating petitions of judicial candidates. Most candidates -- nearly all -- survived challenges. A list of remaining candidates, in ballot order, will follow in the next post.