Michael Cabonargi: In his own words

Michael Cabonargi is a candidate for the countywide Coghlan vacancy. His punch number is 136.

I am honored to serve as a Circuit Court Judge following my nomination by Justice Joy Cunningham and the unanimous approval of the Illinois State Supreme Court. All 13 bar associations that evaluated my candidacy rated me Qualified, Highly Qualified or Recommended. I am also honored to be endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Citizen Action Illinois, and AMVotePAC, among other organizations.

Now I am asking voters to keep me on the bench.

I am a first-generation Italian American from Highwood, Illinois. My 18 year old father came here from Italy and my mother was born on an Iowa farm. I'm the first in my family to attend law school. Working since I was 15 and growing up with immigrant values and empathy taught me that systems should serve people, not create barriers, and that everyone deserves a fair chance.

My background shaped my commitment to accessible justice. I understand what it means to navigate unfamiliar systems without connections or resources. Early in my career, I clerked for U.S. District Court Judge William Hibbler, where I witnessed how the legal system impacts everyday people. This inspired me to create the Judge Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program Help Desk in Illinois’ Northern District---the first of its kind—earning me the Federal Bar Association's Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Throughout my career, from prosecuting financial fraud at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to leading the Cook County Board of Review (BOR), I've fought for those who systems often overlook. At the BOR, I transformed a 100% paper based, English-only agency into a multilingual digital system, holding over 250 community outreaches, reaching more than 1.5 million residents. As Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, I proudly worked with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on expanding access to high quality health care for more new Americans and fought drug companies to lower the cost of the most prescribed and expensive drugs.

As a sitting Circuit Court Judge, I experience daily the profound responsibility of judicial power. Every decision I make impacts families' lives, homes, and futures, and I approach each case with deep awareness of that weight. I confront systemic inequity through deliberate action in my courtroom, including ensuring robust language access and clear explanations for self-represented litigants. I also exercise discretion in granting fee waivers and payment plans, recognizing that court costs can be barriers to justice.

I understand that neutrality isn't enough when the system itself is biased. My commitment to equal justice guided my career before the bench and continues to guide every decision I make now. Judges must actively work to ensure fair treatment for those whom the system has historically marginalized.

I believe in the power of the law to create a fair and equitable society for all. As a judge, I'm committed to upholding the rule of law with integrity and impartiality. I strive to ensure that everyone who comes before the court is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances, understanding that people often come to court facing difficult situations. It's crucial for the court to meet people where they are, but not leave them there.

I'm ready to continue to serve the people of Cook County with dedication and a commitment to fairness for all. I am honored by this incredible opportunity and ask for your vote on March 17.

Ashley Greer Shambley: In her own words

Ashley Greer Shambley is a candidate for the Walker vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit. Her punch number is 143.

Hello, my name is Ashley Greer Shambley, and I am running for Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in the First Judicial Subcircuit, seeking election to fill the Carl A. Walker vacancy.

I am running for judge because I care deeply about the people and communities our courts serve. I believe the justice system functions best when judges bring experience, fairness, and humanity to the bench. Courtroom decisions do not happen in isolation. They have real and lasting effects on families, neighborhoods, and the broader community. Courts should be places where the law is applied fairly, people are treated with dignity, and public trust is strengthened.

For more than fifteen years, I have practiced law in Cook County, spending the majority of my career as a public servant. I currently serve as an Assistant Public Defender in the Multiple Defendant Homicide Task Force Unit, where I have acted as lead trial attorney on a wide range of complex, high-stakes cases. These cases demand exhaustive preparation, mastery of the law and evidence, and the ability to make sound decisions under intense pressure.

Serving as lead counsel carries an enormous responsibility. Every strategic decision, from motions practice to jury selection, from witness examination to closing argument, can determine the outcome of a case and profoundly affect the lives of everyone involved. I have spent countless hours reviewing evidence, litigating difficult legal issues, and standing beside clients at the most vulnerable moments of their lives, fully aware that their liberty, their families, and their futures were in my hands. That responsibility has shaped my judgment, my discipline, and my respect for the power of the courtroom.

At the beginning of my legal career, I worked as an associate in the Law Offices of John F. Lyke, where I gained early exposure to courtroom practice and the importance of preparation and professionalism. I also spent time in the Civil Division of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, assigned to Child Protection matters, which reinforced the reality that judicial decisions can alter the course of families and children’s lives. While my practice has been largely trial-focused, these experiences broadened my understanding of the courts’ reach into everyday life.

As a public defender, I have had the privilege and responsibility of working with people at nearly every stage of life. I have represented young people just beginning to understand the legal system, parents trying to hold their families together, and older adults navigating some of the most difficult moments they will ever face. Meeting people where they are, listening to their stories, and understanding their circumstances has taught me how to engage with individuals on a meaningful level. This experience has deepened my empathy, strengthened my communication, and reinforced the importance of treating every person in the courtroom with patience and respect. These are qualities I believe are essential on the bench.

My passion for this work is rooted not only in professional experience, but also in personal history. In 2005, while visiting family on the South Side of Chicago, I witnessed a police raid that left a lasting impact on me. Officers entered the home by force, used racial slurs, pointed firearms at unarmed occupants, and severely beat a family member who was later hospitalized and charged. I was required to testify in court, where I was told that people from my community often do not appear because they are assumed to be criminals. At the time, I was an honor roll student at Howard University.

I returned to campus profoundly changed by that experience. If this could happen to me, with access to education, opportunity, and support, I questioned what was happening to others in my community who did not have the same chances or protections. That realization led me to change my academic path and commit myself to criminal defense work, grounded in dignity, due process, and the fair application of the law. That decision has guided my career ever since.

I am the first person in my family to attend college, let alone law school, and I carry that responsibility with pride. I am a graduate of Howard University and DePaul University College of Law, institutions that instilled in me a deep sense of service and accountability. I am also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, an organization rooted in scholarship, leadership, and service.

My commitment to public service extends beyond the courtroom. I previously served as General Counsel for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I currently serve as a board member of AFSCME Local 3315 and have been a union steward for more than thirteen years, advocating for fairness, accountability, and respectful resolution of disputes. I also serve as a board member of Imagine Englewood If, an organization dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and expanding opportunity.

Within the legal profession, I am deeply engaged in mentorship and leadership. I am a long-time member and current Co-Chair of the Government Lawyers Section of the Cook County Bar Association, a member of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and a member of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I also regularly train other attorneys on jury selection, the effective use of technology in trial practice, and the strategic use of expert witnesses. Teaching and mentoring others has reinforced the importance of preparation, clarity, and ethical advocacy.

I am also deeply invested in community education. I regularly teach Know Your Rights programs to youth, adults, and seniors because I believe knowledge promotes safety and trust. When people understand their rights and how the courts function, interactions with the justice system are more measured and less likely to escalate.

Throughout my career as a public defender, I have seen firsthand how courtroom decisions ripple outward, affecting not only the individual before the court, but their families, their children, and entire neighborhoods. As a public defender and a lifelong South Side resident, I have seen the lasting effects of court decisions up close and personal and how they shape families, neighborhoods, and the long-term stability of our communities. These experiences have reinforced my belief that judicial discretion must be exercised carefully, consistently, and with humility.

My judicial philosophy is grounded in fidelity to the law, respect for precedent, and fairness in application. Judges must decide cases based on the law and the facts presented, without fear or favor. At the same time, judges set the tone for the courtroom. Clear communication, consistency, and respect are essential to maintaining public confidence.

I am seeking this judgeship because I want to bring the skills I have honed as a public defender, including preparation, judgment, and the ability to engage people with empathy and respect, to better serve the community from the bench. I respect the seriousness of the role and the trust placed in judges by the public. If elected, I will approach every case with care, independence, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

I would be honored to earn the trust of the voters of the First Judicial Subcircuit and to serve as a judge who applies the law faithfully, treats every person with dignity, and strengthens the integrity of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Advocates Installation and Award Dinner February 26

Discounted tickets are available through Saturday, February 14 for the Advocates' February 26 Award and Installation Dinner at the Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel, 171 W. Randolph Street. At the dinner, the Advocates incoming officer slate will be installed and Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes will receive the Society's 2026 Award of Merit. The new slate of officers includes:

• Kathy E. Bojczuk, President,


• Roman Drewniak, First Vice President,


• Julia Jensen Smolka, Second Vice President,


• Judge Michele Gemskie, Third Vice President,


• Judge Alon Stein, Historian,


• Dr. Justyna Regan, Secretary, and


• Iwona Przonak Garcia, Treasurer.

Discounted tickets are $200 each for members, $250 for non-members. After Valentine's Day, the ticket prices increase to $250 for members, $300 for non-members.

Tickets and numerous sponsorship opportunities are available at this page of the Advocates Society website.

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

Updated 2/11/26 to correct typo

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

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

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

13th Subcircuit

Curry Vacancy

Robert “Bob” Groebner - Qualified

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

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

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

Martin C. Kelley Vacancy

Brittany Michelle Pedersen – Not Qualified

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

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

Thomas J. Kelley Vacancy

William F. Kelley – Qualified

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

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

O'Malley Vacancy

Dan Naranjo – Qualified

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

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

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

Julian Sanchez Crozier – Qualified

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

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

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

Mendoza Vacancy

Jessica Karina Velez – Not Qualified

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

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

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

Natalia Moore – Not Recommended

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

Meridth Hammer – Not Qualified

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

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

Carroll Vacancy

Amari Dawson – Not Recommended

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

Bianca B. Brown – Qualified

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

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

André Thapedi – Not Recommended

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

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

18th Subcircuit

Andreou Vacancy

Sam Bae – Qualified

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

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

Chrones Vacancy

Juan Ponce de Leon – Qualified

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

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

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

Sara McGann – Not Qualified

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

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

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

Kane Vacancy

Monica G. Somerville – Not Qualified

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

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

John Harkins – Not Recommended

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

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

Dave Condron – Qualified

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

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

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

Michael J. Zink – Qualified

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

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

Miller Vacancy

Jon Stromsta – Qualified

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

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

Belle Katubig - Qualified

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

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

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

Updated February 9 to correct typo

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

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

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

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

Radiance Ward – Qualified

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

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

Natalie L. Howse – Not Recommended

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

Walker Vacancy

Ashley Greer Shambley – Qualified

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

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

Ginger Odom - Qualified

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

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

Tiffany N. Brooks – Not Recommended

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

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

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

John Carroll – Highly Qualified

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

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

Sherlock Vacancy

Martin Douglas Reggi – Not Qualified

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

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

Rachel S. Marrello – Qualified

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

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

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacancy

Stephanie S. Kelly - Qualified

Stephanie S. Kelly was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She has been Interim Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for Major, Lindsay & Africa since 2023. She previously worked in various positions at Chicago State University ultimately becoming Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer before leaving in late 2020.

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

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

Kathleen Cunniff Ori – Qualified

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

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

Elizabeth Christina Dibler – Qualified

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

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

Garson Fischer – Qualified

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

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

Mikva Vacancy

Lester Finkle – Qualified

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

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

Dan Balanoff – Not Qualified

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

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

Katherine Carole Morrison – Not Qualified

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

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

11th Subcircuit

Meyerson Vacancy

Jarrett Knox – Qualified

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

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

John R. Carrozza – Qualified

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

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

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

Roberts Vacancy

Kim Przekota – Qualified

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

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

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

ISBA releases narrative explanations for its evaluations of countywide Cook County judicial candidates

Updated February 9 to correct typo

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

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

In this post, FWIW looks at the ISBA's narrative explanations of countywide judicial candidates (that is, candidates for the one Appellate Court vacancy and the five countywide Circuit Court vacancies). The ISBA's narratives for candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11 are covered in this post; the ISBA's narratives for candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20 can be found by clicking here.

We begin here with the ISBA's narrative explanation for the only Appellate Court candidate:

Judith C. Rice - Qualified
Judith C. Rice was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988 and elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2014 and retained in 2020. In 2019 she was assigned to Domestic Relations and is currently its Presiding Judge managing the operations of ten domestic violence courtrooms and fifteen judges.

Judge Rice also serves as a rotating judge for both civil and criminal domestic violence cases and hears after-hours orders of protection. She is described as knowing the law well and is always ready to provide a fair hearing asking relevant questions. Those interviewed report that Judge Rice brings sensitivity to diversity and bias to the bench once immediately addressing a litigant’s derogatory remark.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judith C. Rice qualified for election to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Countywide Vacancies

Burke Vacancy

Steven Q. McKenzie – Qualified

Steven Quaintance McKenzie was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. For most of his career, he has been with the City of Chicago – Law Department. Presently he is Supervising Assistant Corporation Counsel in litigating matters of building code enforcement. Prior to this, he was in the Housing Division.

Though his particular area of law does not get a substantial amount of litigation, Mr. McKenzie’s legal knowledge, ability and temperament is well suited for a judicial position. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Steven Q. McKenzie qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Cobbs Vacancy

Luz Maria Toledo - Qualified

Luz Maria Toledo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2006. From 2007 to 2018 she was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney assigned to the Criminal Division where she was responsible for prosecuting all types of misdemeanor and felonies. In 2018 she transferred to the Civil Actions Bureau where she has been litigating real estate tax appeals, representing the Cook County Treasurer, Assessor and the Board of Review.

Ms. Toledo is a member of several Hispanic bar associations where she has participated in food drives and donated her hair. Many people praised her legal knowledge, attention to detail and punctuality. She is sensitive to diverse litigants. She is described as conducting herself with courtesy, professionalism and is calm and even-tempered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Luz Maria Toledo qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Linda Sackey - Qualified

Linda Sackey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2006. Effective January 2025, she was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William H. Hooks. Prior to her appointment she served as a judicial clerk to Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. From 2013 to 2018 she was an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Appeals Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and served as an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School in 2016.

Judge Sackey’s present assignment is in Traffic Division where she presides over misdemeanors like DUI and petty offenses. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Linda Sackey qualified for election to the Circuit of Cook County.

Coghlan Vacancy

Ashonta C. Rice – Qualified

Ashonta Cherron Rice was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. Prior to 2024 she was a sole practitioner with concentration primarily in the areas of family law and child protection litigation. In January 2024 she began representing the Park Gold Group on matters including probate, real estate, traffic, small claims and social security disability claims.

It is reported that Ms. Rice is versed in all areas of the law; is extraordinarily competent; treats everyone equally; holds herself to a high standard; and presents herself as calm and mild-mannered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ashonta C. Rice qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Michael Cabonargi – Qualified

Michael Cabonargi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Effective June 2025, Mr. Cabonargi was appointed to fill the vacancy of retired Judge Mary Ellen Coghlan. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cabonargi was Regional Director of the Great Lakes Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and thirty-four indigenous tribal nations. From 2011 to 2022 he served as a commissioner on the Cook County Board of Review.

Judge Cabonargi’s present assignment is in the Traffic Division at the Daley Center. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Michael Cabonargi qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hooks Vacancy

Ava George Stewart - Qualified

Ava M. George Stewart was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She started her career with the City of Chicago trying traffic cases. In 2005, she started her own practice concentrating in criminal defense. From 2021 to 2023, she was Chief of the Lake County State's Attorney's Criminal Division. She returned to her own criminal defense practice in 2023. Since January of 2025, Ms. Stewart has also served as a hearing officer for the Water Reclamation District. Since 2018, she has also taught appellate advocacy at UIC law school.

Ms. George Stewart has been active in several bar associations, serving as an officer, board, or committee member in the ISBA, Lincoln American Inn of Court, WBAI, BWLA, and Women Criminal Defense Lawyers at various times. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ava George Stewart qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Karkula Vacancy

D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford – Qualified

D’Anthony Thedford was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. Effective December 2, 2024, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Karkula. Prior to this appointment, he had been a partner at Thedford Garber Law, LLC since 2016 specializing in the areas of criminal defense and civil rights. From 2005 to 2016 he practiced at his own law firm; from 1997 to 2005 he served as an Assistant Public Defender representing indigent clients.

Judge Thedford’s first assignment was in the Traffic Division; he is presently assigned to the Pre-trial Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Cook County judicial candidates invited to submit statements to FWIW

This post is specifically directed at Cook County judicial candidates in contested races and their campaign advisers.

You are in the home stretch. On the ballot. Counting the days until early voting begins. You have learned, the hard way, that getting one’s message out to voters in a county as large as this one is a herculean challenge. Subcircuits may look a lot smaller on the map, but each covers a lot of ground, as anyone who has ever tried campaigning door-to-door will attest.

By this point in the campaign cycle, the enormity of the task before you has become clear, whatever support you are already privileged to have. Each of you has a day job to keep up with – and, in your spare time, you are still seeking endorsements, filling out questionnaires, and showing up at any event that will have you. You have undoubtedly noticed, at these events, that judicial candidates spend a lot of time seeing... each other. You may be getting around, but you’re not always around likely potential voters; at least you're not always around potential voters you haven’t already met.

I’d like to give you an opportunity to get your message directly to potential voters.

Google says that this website has been viewed over six million times to date; while a lot of those page views come from candidates and their friends and families, as the primary draws ever nearer, this site will be seen by increasing numbers of likely voters. They come here looking for information about judicial candidates for whom they might vote. In other words, they come here looking for you.

What would you like to tell them?

I will print any statement that any Cook County judicial candidate cares to make right here on For What It’s Worth. This is the tenth election cycle in which I’ve extended this invitation. I will print what I get (subject to a couple of ground rules set out below), whether I get two statements or ten. When I put up the Organizing the Data posts shortly before the primary, I will link back to any statements I’ve received, providing voters an additional chance to receive your message directly.

I make this offer because, when I ran for judge in 1994 and 1996, I would have given my right arm to have had such a forum.

Things were different, of course, back then: The Internet was still a largely undiscovered country. I think I was just learning how to use email in those days; I definitely was using an AOL address. But, today, you have the opportunity to reach nearly every single voter in Cook County without leaving your den. You can of course speak to voters directly on your own sites as well, but I am offering you an additional platform, an additional opportunity for voters to find out about you when they start searching the Internet for information about our upcoming judicial elections.

Candidates need only send me an email (that's a link to my email address; there's also a link you can find in the sidebar of this blog) with their essay.

You may be wondering what you should say. I don’t know that there is any “right” answer. You can send me a statement of personal philosophy, the stump speech you’ve always wanted to make, the pitch you’d like to make at every voter’s front door, your ‘closing argument’ to the electorate, or whatever else you think appropriate. You might want to include your punch number.

I’m not going to tell anyone what to say or how to say it.

However, I would suggest, as my mother used to say, that you don’t make your own candle shine brighter by trying to blow out someone else’s. Tell voters why you should be elected, not why your opponent should not be.

I strongly suggest that you put your statement in the first person (be personal, use “I” and “me”) because I will run your statement as your statement, under your byline, by Sally Smith, by John Jones. I know some of you are paying consultants to help you craft your message, and there may be a temptation to simply delegate this task. Resist that temptation. Get feedback from your advisers before you send me anything (especially if you're paying for it anyway), but let your voice come through in your essay. I know writing such an essay won’t be an easy task: As lawyers, we’re used to advocating for a client -- for someone else. It is not as easy to talk about ourselves. But this is an opportunity for you to define yourself, rather than be defined by questionnaire responses.

If I don’t already have your picture, send me a head shot. I’ll run your picture with the post, cropped to a 200 x 200 pixel square. I will not edit candidate statements. I’ll print what you send. (That’s why I need an email, to verify what was sent, and by whom.) To see what other candidate statements have looked like, click on the "In Their Own Words" tag here or at the bottom of this post and start scrolling down. I will only put up one statement per candidate.

I realize some of you already have personal statements posted on your own campaign websites. If you ask me to run a substantially similar statement here, or even the same statement, I will do so. But I will not pull statements from your site to put on my own. If you want me to put your statement here, you have to send me the statement.

I will begin accepting, and posting, candidate essays immediately. Because I will link to them from the Organizing the Data posts, there’s no advantage to delay. And if you do try and wait until the last minute, when I am working on those roundup posts, I may be unable to get your essay posted. So please, if you're interested, send something ASAP.

I do not intend to impose any limit on the statement’s length; however, all of you are presumably familiar with the concept of "tl;dr." For illustration purposes, my word processor advises me that this post is about 1,100 words long.

February 18 fundraiser for Elizabeth Christina Dibler

Supporters of Elizabeth Christina Dibler's 8th Subcircuit bid are planning a fundraiser for Wednesday, February 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., hosted by the firm of Gallagher and Kosner, at 161 N. Clark St., on 12th Floor.

Tickets are $250 each ($100 for government lawyers). Sponsorships are available (Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000, Platinum - $2,500). The flyer for the event is reproduced above.

It's been so cold and snowy. Somehow, this makes me feel warmer.

Maybe it will have the same effect on you, too.

Personal to the person who left a comment with a phone number

Send me an email (jackleyhane@yahoo.com).

I want to be able to verify to whom I would be talking.

I hope you understand.

FWIW now has six million page views

It happened yesterday, possibly because a lot of FWIW readers were at home on account of the cold. (For those, like me, who weren't paying attention, courts were closed yesterday due to the subzero temperatures. Courthouses in Markham, Skokie, and Maywood were open, but only as warming centers.)

Anyway, FWIW has now passed six million page views. This is an aggregate figure. FWIW has been around since 2006, and it has always been published on Blogger.com. But Google, Blogger's parent, was not keeping track of page views back then; I'm not sure when it started.

I can tell you that the five million page view mark was reached in early April 2025, roughly 292 days ago. The four million page view milestone was reached on or shortly before May 1, 2023, roughly a thousand days ago.

FWIW reached the million page view mark in August 2015, the two million mark in March 2018, and the three million mark in October 2020.

It took 941 days for FWIW to go from one million to two million page views. It took 10 days longer -- 951 days -- to get from two million to three million. It took 917 days to go from three million to four million. But it only took another 709 days to go from four to five million. And now it has taken only 292 days to go from five to six million. I wish I could get that kind of growth on my investments. I also wish I could claim that this growth is attributable to some sincere growth in interest in our local judiciary in general, or in FWIW in particular.

But, alas.

On my increasingly infrequent trips downtown, I see precious little evidence that suggests that FWIW is better known now that it was in the past. This has always been a very specialized, niche site (at least since I started seriously covering Cook County judicial races in 2008). There are only so many people who might be interested in this topic. Of course, readers could be flocking here because of my crisp, entertaining prose, their limited interest in the comings and goings of our local judiciary notwithstanding....

And then I wake up.

But, however it has happened, I have accumulated six million page views here on FWIW. I'm grateful.

U.S. District Court Blood Drive February 4

I know you say you've given your last drop of blood to the legal profession. Or to taxes. Whatever. You almost certainly were exaggerating when you said it.

In fact, you might actually be able to spare a pint for the Red Cross blood drive which will be held at the Dirkesen Federal Courthouse, Room 1023, on Wednesday, February 4.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be welcomed. Donors will be asked to bring a photo ID and their blood donor card, or tow other forms of ID.

For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and use the sponsor code: USdistrictcourt.

The Red Cross says prospective donors can save up to 15 minutes when donating blood by using "RapidPass!" (The exclamation point is supplied by the Red Cross.) Visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass for more information.

A couple of announcements concerning judicial retirements

FWIW has covered judicial elections for many years. When new judges arrive on the scene, by election or appointment, FWIW is right there to tell you about it. Eventually, anyway.

But when judges retire, it's a different story. Judges step down for their own reasons, in their own time, and, unless it is a high profile retirement, like the recently announced retirement of Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, the larger public usually takes no notice. But I found a couple of items this week about judges who are stepping down soon that I thought might be worth sharing.

I don't pretend to know anything about this event, other than it is meant to honor retiring Judge Sophia Hall, but it certainly looks like it might be a lot of fun.

I also saw this announcement about the pending retirement of Associate Judge Sybil C. Thomas:

Organizers here are putting together a memory book to be presented to Judge Thomas. Persons who wish to contribute to this can use the link in the preceding sentence. The deadline for submissions is January 31.

FWIW will never be able to cover judcial retirements to any serious extent. But... just this once, anyway... it seems like it might be alright.

Judge Thaddeus Wilson assigned to the Appellate Court

I spotted this congratulatory notice on Facebook this morning.

The Supreme Court's Order was entered yesterday: The Supreme Court has assigned Judge Thaddeus Wilson to the Appellate Court to take the place of Judge Sanjay T. Tailor, who is being elevated to the Supreme Court. The assignment is effective February 6 and remains in effect "until further order of the Court."

Chamber Music concert February 1

Members of the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra and CBA Chorus will be in concert Sunday, February 1, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at PianoForte, 1335 S. Michigan. The flyer for the event is reproduced above.

Advance tickets for this chamber music performance are available at this EventBrite link. Tickets will also be available at the door on afternoon of February 1 ($25 for adults, $20 for students). PianoForte provides parking advice on this page of its website.

January 29 Karaoke fundraiser for Jon Stromsta

Well, you gotta admit, it's different: Supporters of 20th Subcircuit judicial candidate Jon Stromsta are planning a Karaoke Party for their candidate on Thursday, January 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Trader Todd's, 3216 N. Sheffield Ave.

Tickets are $50 each, and the price includes two drinks and pizza. Sponsorships are available for $100, $200, $500, or $1000. The sponsors say that guests will be encouraged to take their own turns at the mike. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, use this ActBlue link.

Fearless prediction: Justice Tailor will be slated for the Theis vacancy on the Illinois Supreme Court in 2028

Disclaimer: This essay contains a prediction. I don't usually make predictions, because, if I really could predict the future, I'd wait until the Powerball jackpot got large, buy one ticket, and really retire. Retire in style. And, besides, past performance is not indicative of future results, etc., etc.

On the other hand, one of the things that makes us human is our ability to discern patterns. Successful pattern recognition was vital to the evolution of our species: Our remote ancestors, back in Africa, learned to recognize which subtle noise in the brush was a stalking predator, and which noise was just the night breeze. (The ones who couldn't figure out which was which didn't get the opportunity to become our ancestors.) Nowadays we still try and find patterns in our surroundings. We're always trying to 'connect the dots.' If you are inclined to agree with the person who suggests a pattern of some sort, you may hail him or her as a pundit... if you disagree, you might revile that person as a conspiracy theorist.

Have I adequately managed your expectations yet?

Gosh, I hope so.

Anyway, turning to the case of Justice Sanjay T. Tailor: The Order elevating Tailor specifies that he "is appointed to the Supreme Court of Illinois to the position currently held by the Honorable Mary Jane Theis." Contrast this with the language of the 2022 Order which put Justice Tailor on the Appellate Court: "[T]he Honorable Sanjay T. Tailor, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is assigned to duty in the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District."

While assigned to the Appellate Court, under the terms of the Supreme Court's 2022 Order, Justice Tailor remained a Circuit Court judge. He could be returned to that court whenever the Supreme Court decided to end his assignment. But now? Justice Tailor is being appointed to the Supreme Court. Come January 30, his 9th Subcircuit seat will be vacant. To remain on the bench in any capacity, Justice Tailor will have to stand for election.

So... presumably... he is running for the Supreme Court.

It doesn't have to be that way; he might choose not to run and simply retire when his appointment ends. Service on the State's highest court, even for only a couple of years, would be a great way to conclude a career. And, in Justice Tailor's case, such a meteoric rise: He was not exactly an overnight sensation, given that he served as an associate judge for roughtly 17 years prior to his appointment to a countywide vacancy in late 2020. But, following that appointment? He ascended through the ranks very rapidly indeed. FWIW readers will recall that Tailor did not run for the countywide vacancy to which he was appointed. Instead, he sought a 9th Subcircuit vacancy -- running unopposed in the 2022 primary. He received his appointment to the Appellate Court before his actual election (he was also unopposed on the November 2022 ballot).

FWIW readers may recall the case of Justice Caswell Crebs. Crebs hailed from Carmi, in White County, Illinois. He was elected a Circuit Judge in the far Downstate 2nd Circuit in 1945. He retired in 1964. In 1969, the Supreme Court called Crebs out of retirement to fill the 5th District vacancy created by the death of Justice Byron O. House. Crebs didn't run for the vacancy; it was subsequently filled by Justice Joseph H. Goldenhersh. Crebs did such a good job of not running for that vacancy that, in 1975, when a Second District vacancy opened up, following the resignation of Justice Charles H. Davis, the Supreme Court invited Crebs back. He did not run for that vacancy either (Justice Thomas H. Moran was elected to fill that seat).

It is possible that Justice Tailor may be following the Caswell Crebs career path.

But I wouldn't bet on it. It is probably significant that the Supreme Court announced Tailor's appointment simultaneously with the news of Justice Theis's resignation. Justice Theis began her career on the Supreme Court pursuant to an interim appointment in 2010; this was announced at the same time as the Court announced the retirement of Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald. Theis was subsequently slated by the Cook County Democratic Party and won election in her own right in 2012.

In 2018, when Justice Charles E. Freeman retired from the Illinois Supreme Court, the appointment of Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. was announced at the same time. Justice Neville (now Chief Justice Neville) was subsequently slated by the Cook County Democratic Party and elected in his own right in 2020. Justice Anne Burke retired in 2022; Justice Joy V. Cunningham was appointed as Burke's interim replacement immediately thereafter. Cunningham was thereafter slated by the Cook County Democratic Party and won election in 2024.

I think that's a pattern.

Therefore, while I can't prove it, and certainly no one told me, I suspect that the Supreme Court and Justice Tailor at least a nodding expectation that the Cook County Democratic Party will slate Tailor for the 2028 primary.

Whether Tailor runs or not, of course, there will be a contested primary for the Theis vacancy in 2028. I don't need be cautious in making that prediction.

The crazy early primary calendar. To politicians, this is a feature, not a bug.

You are looking at a dead moth in a notebook; this was the original computer bug. Seriously. You could look it up.

If you are old enough to have taken a code writing class during your formative years, you will have had the unhappy experience of "debugging" your program: looking for the missing parenthesis or quotation mark or command that crashed your whole project. At Loyola, back in the day, though punch cards were even then long obsolete, we had to look for improperly punched cards (hanging chads long before 2000), or cards that had somehow gotten into the wrong order.

The English language expands over time. When talking of many different systems now, not just computers, we talk about "bugs." The maddening way in which modern appliances die two weeks after the expiration of their warranties, for example. But, say economists, planned obsolesence is a feature, not a bug: If you could keep your refrigerator going for 30 years, like your parents kept theirs going, look at all the factory workers who'd be idled. This is supposed to appease you as you shell out for a shiny new appliance that will inevitably fail in five years' (and two weeks) time, just like the one you're replacing.

Whether something is a feature, as opposed to a bug, will oft depend on point of view. If you sell appliances, as long as no one remembers how to make, or is willing to make, the stoves and refrigerators that could last 30 years (that is, as long as everyone makes and markets the same kind of dreck), the short life-cycle is a feature. For those who use the appliances, planned obsolescence is a very big, slimy, poisonous bug.

As it is with appliances, so too with politics. Having an eternity between candidate filing and the actual election helps politicians keep non-politicians from entering the system. A lot of your neighbors may think that they will have an opportunity to 'throw the rascals out' at the next election -- in November 2026. It's not that they're dumb; it is just what they were taught in Civics class. But nearly all the rascals will be already safely in place long before then. In Illinois, some rascals may have to face other rascals in March -- but that's still nearly eight months before the election.

For politicians, this absurd primary calendar is a feature, not a bug.

Politicians are in the business of getting elected... and re-elected. Early primaries are one way of accomplishing this. Although it may be impolite to say so, holding early primaries is absolutely a form of voter suppression, albeit one tactic that receives strong bipartisan support, even in these fractious times. Because you are a regular FWIW reader, you may not have noticed this -- because you would vote whenever an election was held -- you would head out to the polls during a blizzard or a hurricane. You are politically active and (if you do say so yourself) aware. But you are, in fact, a unicorn. Most people, however, being not-unicorns, do not vote in primaries ("I don't want to declare a party" is one of the better-sounding, but still-frivolous, excuses). The earlier the primary, the fewer people who actually vote.

That is exactly the way the politicians want it. Political professionals don't want big turnouts. Hoping for huge turnouts is 1960s League of Women Voters stuff. Political professionals want reliable, predictable turnouts -- and, as a practical matter, that means the fewer voters, the better.

Remember the Bad Old Days? Remember when the unofficial motto of the Cook County Democratic Party was 'we don't want nobody that nobody sent'? You don't? You say you are too young to remember the reign of Richard J. Daley?

Well, perhaps you are too young to remember Da Mare -- but I have sad news for you, bunky -- the Bad Old Days never went away. Some FWIW readers may think they're welcome to participate in politics, even though nobody sent them. But you, friends, are not welcome. Your checkbooks are.

Many FWIW readers hope someday to serve in the judiciary. So they need to get involved in politics. They learn who to call, who to cultivate, what tickets to buy, what things to say. They are lawyers -- and lawyers are very good problem solvers -- and, thankfully, in every election cycle, some good lawyers figure out the system well enough to get on the bench. They don't necessarily have to believe the slogans they are forced to spout in order to get elected (although many presumably do); the issues that consume politicians tend not to surface in Traffic Court. And, while (not being an insider) I can't say this with certainty, I strongly suspect that the politicians really don't mind that some judges are, at best, agnostic on their Great Issues... because judges don't make laws, they only apply the laws the politicians make to the cases that come before them. In other words (and I don't mean this to be hurtful, I'm only saying it because it is true) judges just aren't all that important to the ordinary operation of the political establishment. There's a reason why you need a lot more signatures to run for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District than to run for the bench....

But we could do so much better. If we tried.

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UPDATE: Bad as our March primary is, NBC News reports this evening that the Illinois Democratic Party is lobbying to move our 2028 primary up. Why? Well, a February primary helped Illinois favorite son Barack Obama secure the White House. Gov. Pritzker is apparently hoping for a similar boost. *Sigh*

February 4 CLE offers guidance for those transferred from the Law Division to the Municipal Division

The Decalogue Society of Lawyers is offering a free, two-hour CLE program on February 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Courtroom 1501 of the Daley Center, entitled, "You’ve been transferred from Law Division to Courtroom 1501/First Municipal, Now What??"

Speaking at the program will be Judge Alon Stein; Judge Loveleen Ahuja; and Kimberly Atz O'Brien, Administrator of Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program. The incoming Presiding Judge of the First Municipal Division, Tom Sianis, is expected to offer opening remarks. The flyer for the event is reproduced above.

To register for the program, click on this link.

January 21 fundraiser for Judge Ginger Odom

Supporters of Judge Ginger Odom's bid to hold the 1st Subcircuit seat (she currently serves pursuant to Supreme Court appointment) are planning a fundraiser for Wednesday, January 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the Chicago office of Clark Hill, 130 E. Randolph St., Suite 3900. The flyer for the event is reproduced above.

Tickets are $150 each, but sponsorships are available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000, or Platinum - $5,000). For more information, or to order tickets, visit the candidate's website (the fundraiser invite comes up as a popup).