Travis Richardson plans 2nd Subcircuit judicial run, fundraiser set for November 19

Travis Richardson has announced his intention to seek election to the bench from Cook County's Second Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to Richardson's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Richardson's supporters are planning a fundraiser for their candidate this Thursday, November 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the West Side Justice Center (the Shiller Preyar Law Offices), 601 S. California Ave.

Tickets for the event are $150 apiece, but sponsorships are available (for $250, $500, or $1,500). Thirty-fourth Ward Alderman Carrie M. Austin and 21st Ward Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. are the hosts for this event. For more information about the fundraiser, or to order tickets, email Info@CraticShaffer.com.

Richardson as been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1997. He is a principal in the firm of Richardson & Mackoff. According to his campaign bio, Richardson is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School where he received the school's Rockwell T. Gust Advocacy Award, "presented for demonstrating the greatest potential as a trial lawyer and advocate in his graduating class." According to his campaign bio, Richardson was also a founder and was Articles Editor of the Michigan Journal of Race & Law.

Richardson was appointed to the Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County. According to his campaign bio, Richardson represented Region VII of the National Bar Association on its Judicial Evaluation Committee and is former Director of that Region (which encompasses Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Richardson is also a Past Chair of the NBA Young Lawyers Division and of the CBA Coordinating Council for Minority Affairs and the CCBA Judicial Evaluation Committee. Richardson also served on the CCBA Job Fair Committee and on the CBA Nominations and Elections Committee.

November 19 fundraiser for Judge Edward J. King

Supporters of Judge Edward J. King's bid to retain the 4th Subcircuit seat he now holds by Supreme Court appointment have planned a fundraiser for their candidate on Thursday, November 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Pazzo's at Three-Eleven, 311 S. Wacker Drive. Tickets for the event are $150 each, but sponsorships are available (Friend - $300, Sponsor - $500, Host - $1,000). For more information, or to order tickets, email Julie Lane at julielane0607@gmail.com.

Ketki Shroff Steffen returns to the Cook County bench

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Ketki Shroff Steffen to the Fecarotta vacancy in the far northwestern 13th Subcircuit. Judge Steffen's appointment, announced yesterday, was effective yesterday as well, and will expire on December 5, 2016, when the elected successor to Judge Fecarotta is sworn into office.

This will be Judge Steffen's second tour of duty in the judiciary. Judge Steffen, a finalist in the 2009 round of associate judge selection, was first appointed to a 13th Subcircuit vacancy in early 2010. Her bid to retain that seat fell short in the 2012 primary.

Michael I. O'Malley launches judicial bid, has fundraiser tonight

Per email received from the campaign's treasurer, Daniel Lapinski, Assistant State's Attorney Michael I. O'Malley has launched a judicial bid and a campaign website. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Also per Lapinski's email, O'Malley's supporters are hosting a fundraiser for their candidate tonight, November 10, at the West Side Billy Goat Tavern, 1535 W. Madison Street, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at this link and are priced at $100 each. Sponsorships are available as well (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000, Platinum - $5,400) and discounted "government" tickets are available for $50 each.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois, O'Malley works as an Assistant State's Attorney. According to his campaign biography, O'Malley began his professional life as a CPA following his graduation from Northern Illinois University with a degree in accounting. During this phase of his life, O'Malley worked for "several large corporations including AON, the Northern Trust Company, and JP Morgan Chase." He attended law school at night at John Marshall while still working for Chase. He has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2005.

As an Assistant State's Attorney, O'Malley has worked in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau and the the Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Units. In this latter role, according to his campaign bio, O'Malley "led several investigations and prosecutions of individuals who embezzled funds from the taxpayers of Cook County. This included the investigation and prosecution of 7 individuals who stole nearly $1,000,000 from the Chicago Public Schools. Mr. O’Malley led the prosecution of two public officials who stole $350,000 from a southwest suburban fire department, resulting in a conviction and 8 year prison sentence for the organizer of the criminal enterprise."

A native of Elmwood Park, O'Malley attended Fenwick High School. According to his campaign bio, O'Malley has also "volunteered for several community organizations throughout Cook County, including Immaculate Conception grade school on Chicago’s northwest side, St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood, and St. Pius V Catholic Church in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Mr. O'Malley has also volunteered to coach law school trial teams and judge trial advocacy competitions."

D. Renee Jackson seeks 2nd Subcircuit judicial vacancy

Found on the Internet, a campaign website for D. Renee Jackson, candidate for judge in the 2nd Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to the candidate's website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2006, Jackson maintains a solo law practice in the West Loop. According to her campaign bio, Jackson's practice is focused "on family law, criminal defense, juvenile justice and business consulting." According to her campaign bio, while she has only nine years' experience as a practicing attorney, Jackson has "26 years of legal experience" serving in "attorney and non-attorney legal roles for global corporations, a municipal corporation, law firms and the financial industry in the areas of compliance, commercial transactions, commercial real estate, environmental, insurance, marketing, advertising, employment, labor relations, regulatory, consumer relations, personal injury, intellectual property and entertainment." She has also taught commercial and family law at Robert Morris University, according to her campaign bio.

Gary Seyring seeks Republican nomination in 13th Subcircuit

Schaumburg attorney Gary Seyring, who fell just short in a bid for a 13th Subcircuit vacancy in the 2014 Republican Primary, is making another bid for judicial office. That's a link to Seyring's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1978, Seyring's campaign bio notes that he is also a CPA. According to the campaign bio, Seyring's law practice involves "civil litigation in the areas of real estate, domestic relations, contested probate estates, personal injury, corporations and contracts. He is also engaged in estate planning, elder law, business formation, commercial and residential real estate, individual and business tax planning and preparation." Seyring has also served "as an arbitrator in the Cook County Arbitration Program and an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) construction industry and HOW program."

Outside the office, Seyring is a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Youth Soccer Association. According to his campaign bio, Seyring has also served as Treasurer of his local Jaycees chapter, as Soccer Commissioner of the Schaumburg Athletic Association, and been involved in the Father/Son program at the Campanelli YMCA.

Daryl Jones plans 5th Subcircuit judicial bid

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Daryl Jones, candidate for judge in the 5th Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2005, Jones is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant, according to his campaign bio. Currently Jones serves as a member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Jones has also worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections, as Senior Legal Advisor & Agency Ethics Officer and, before that, as Chief of Intergovernmental Relations. Jones began his legal career, according to his campaign bio, as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney.

The candidate also has a Twitter handle.

Are you running for judge? Well, the Alliance is chasing after you....

At this point, many, if not most, of the known 2016 judicial candidates have bar ratings. A lot of these have run before; most have also applied for Associate Judge. But there are, as there always are, first-time judicial candidates frantically circulating petitions now (hopefully taking advantage of the unusually good weather we're enjoying) who have never been screened by any of the evaluating bar associations.

It is to these still-unknown candidates that this post is directed.

Bar evaluations (these are not endorsements, mind you) come from two principal sources in Cook County, the Chicago Bar Association and the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening (11 bar groups who pool their resources to provide candidate evaluations).

Joyce Williams, the Alliance Administrator, has written in to ask me to remind candidates who have not yet been screened to contact the Alliance to begin the process. She writes, "With two Appellate Court vacancies and 26 (for now) full and subcircuit vacancies, I expect a great deal of 'traffic'! Also, early voting is going to be a logistic nightmare in terms of trying to interview/evaluate the candidates in a timely fashion." In other words, new candidates, if this primary season is like every one before, there will be a great many unevaluated candidates -- and there are only so many investigators and evaluators who have volunteered their services to their respective bar association judicial evaluation committees. It will be difficult to get everyone properly considered before early voting is upon us.

New candidates: Help the Alliance -- and also yourselves -- by contacting the Alliance today to get your evaluation process underway. Email Ms. Williams at jwilliams@isba.org or call her at (312) 920-4676.

Kevin O'Donnell plans judicial bid in 13th Subcircuit

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Kevin O'Donnell, candidate for the Republican nomination for judge in Cook County's far northwest suburban 13th Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar as well.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1988, O'Donnell maintains a law practice in Park Ridge where he focuses on estate and probate matters (his campaign website notes that he has served as Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Probate Practice Committee), corporate and transactional matters, real estate, and litigation. O'Donnell's campaign website also notes that he helped organize, and continues to serve as pro-bono counsel for the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, on Chicago's South Side. O'Donnell has also served as a past president and director of the Sherwood Improvement Association in Arlington Heights. A member of St. James Parish, according to his campaign bio, O'Donnell has also volunteered for Chicago's Lighthouse for the Blind.

Updated November 12 to add candidate-supplied photograph.

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Alex Kaplan to run as Republican in 12th Judicial Subcircuit

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Alex Kaplan, candidate for judge in the Republican Primary in the 12th Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed in Illinois since 2000, Kaplan maintains a law office on Dundee Road in Northbrook. According to his campaign bio, Kaplan has engaged in a varied practice over the years, representing clients in bankruptcies, real estate transactions, foreclosures, criminal defense and family law matters.

In his campaign biography, Kaplan writes that he immigrated to this country, from Kiev in what was then the Soviet Union, when he was only four years old, fleeing "Soviet religious and cultural oppression that permeated the country. As refugees, my family sought the freedom and opportunity that only America could offer." Kaplan adds that his "parents never forgot the Soviet system that was patently unfair. The inequitable treatment my family felt had a great impact on my development. My parents went to great lengths to teach in me a sense of justice, fairness and evenhandedness as they raised me in America." These life experiences have impacted Kaplan's decision to seek judicial office: "Part of my desire to run for Judge is to give everyone the opportunity of fairness; to treat everyone with respect and even-handedness, irrespective of religion, race, color, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Everyone, regardless of their background, should get the benefit of impartiality and equality."

Gerald Vernon Cleary III appointed to countywide Walsh vacancy

Well, that didn't take long.

Just last week, FWIW carried the news that a new countywide judicial vacancy had opened up, one created by the retirement of Judge Richard Walsh.

Yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Gerald Vernon Cleary III to the Walsh vacancy, effective Thursday, November 5. The appointment will terminate December 5, 2016, when the person elected to that vacancy next year is sworn into office.

Cleary is currently a partner with Pappas, Davidson, O'Connor & Fildes, P.C., a firm that touts, on its website, expertise in employment law, labor law, business law, education law, commercial law and litigation. He has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1989. Cleary's firm bio states that he has "successfully tried to verdict and arbitrated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts." Before joining Pappas, Davidson, Cleary was a partner at SmithAmundsen. From 1990 to 1997, Cleary was associated with Querrey & Harrow.

Cleary ran for a 10th Subcircuit vacancy in 2008; he ran countywide in 2012.

Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Dinner December 1

The 2015 Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Dinner and All-Bar Swearing In Ceremony and Reception is set for December 1 in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton, 720 South Michigan Avenue. The Reception begins at 5:00 p.m.; the dinner and program follows at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $150 each (a table of 10 costs $1,500) are available at this link (there is a small service charge).

Sponsorships are available until November 13 (Diamond - $15,000, Platinum - $10,000, Gold Sponsorship - $5,000, Silver - $3,000, Bronze Sponsorship - $1,500) and a .pdf sponsorship form is available at this link.

Kevin Cunningham plans countywide judicial bid

Family law attorney Beth F. McCormack writes in to advise that Oak Lawn attorney Kevin Cunningham is planning a 2016 countywide judicial run.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1992, McCormack writes that Cunningham "was a Cook County State’s Attorney for 6 years, and made his way to the felony trial division. Since 1998 he has been in private practice, handling a wide variety of both civil and criminal matters. Notably, he has practiced law in almost every division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, including the Criminal, Juvenile, Municipal, Law, Domestic Relations and Probate Divisions. Mr. Cunningham has been the Village Prosecutor for the Village of Oak Lawn since 2007. In this regard he presents all prosecutions of traffic and ordinance violations for the Village. He is also an administrative hearing officer for the Village of Willow Springs. He is an active member of the Southwest Bar Association, and served as President in 2009. Mr. Cunningham resides in the Southwest-Side neighborhood of West Beverly, which is located in the 19th Ward. He has been married to his wife, Sarah, for 21 years and they have 3 children."

Cunningham was also a countywide judicial candidate in 2012.

Tenth Subcircut candidate Colleen Reardon Daly launches campaign website

A campaign website has been launched for Colleen Reardon Daly, candidate for judge in the 10th Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1996, Daly has a private practice in the West Loop area. Before setting up her own practice, Daly worked as an Assistant State's Attorney for 13 years, rising through the ranks to a felony courtroom. Before becoming an attorney, Daly earned a certificate in secondary education.

According to her campaign biography, Daly has volunteered for "Wills for Heroes," a program that provides essential legal documents free of charge to our nation’s first responders, including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. According to the campaign bio, Daly "also joined with Misericordia and recently ran a marathon to benefit the most vulnerable people in her community." Daly is married to a police sergeant and is raising three children.

Carolyn Joan Gallagher campaign website launched, fundraiser set for tomorrow

Carolyn Joan Gallagher has announced her intention to seek a judicial vacancy in the 2016 primary and a campagin website has been set up in support of her candidacy. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1982, Gallagher maintains a law office in Evanston. She filed for both a 9th Subcircuit vacancy and a countywide vacancy in the 2014 primary season. She withdrew from the 9th Subcircuit race, but ran countywide, finishing second to William B. Raines in the race for the Neville vacancy.

According to her campaign website, Gallagher's practice consists of "complex commercial litigation including securities fraud, RICO, contracts, financial institutions law, mortgage foreclosure and foreclosure defense, creditors' rights, mechanic's liens and construction law, and appellate advocacy in state and federal trial and appeals courts." She also has taught legal writing at DePaul University Law School. The campaign website also notes that Gallagher has served as a volunteer attorney for the Chicago Legal Clinic, for the Clerk of Court Expungement Summit, and for the Chicago Bar Foundation Chancery Advice Desk. According to her campaign website, Gallagher was also co-founder and general counsel for the New Health Foundation Worldwide, a "not-for-profit corporation focusing on research, advocacy and education regarding transgender and other gender-variant individuals."

Supporters of Gallagher's judicial campaign are planning a fundraiser for her tomorrow evening, October 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the 5th floor conference room at Griffin McCarthy & Rice LLP, 55 W. Monroe Street (the Xerox Building). Tickets are $150 each, but sponsorships are available (Silver - $250, Gold - $500, Platinum - $1000). Nannette McCarthy is hosting the event. For more information concerning the fundraiser, or to order tickets, email info@electgallagher.com.

Diversity Scholarship Foundation hosts reception tomorrow for all bar presidents

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is hosting a complimentary reception in honor of all bar association presidents tomorrow evening, Wednesday, October 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis, 300 N. LaSalle.

If you would like to attend, simply click here to RSVP. Yes, as you will note, the preferred response date was yesterday, but I checked today with Carolina Y. Sales, who is the treasurer of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation and is helping to organize tomorrow's event, and she said reservations are still being accepted.

Meanwhile, the November 1 deadline is fast approaching for DSF scholarship applications. Scholarships awarded by DSF include the:

Jerold S. Solovy Diversity Scholarship Award

This Scholarship will be awarded to a student who actively advocates for diversity within the Illinois legal community and works to bring focus to those who do pro-bono work within their community. Students are required to submit an article on their views about “diversity within the legal community” and maintain a 3.8 GPA.

Public Interest Advocate Scholarship Award

This Scholarship will be awarded to a law student who is interested in pursuing a career in public service or a student who is actively involved with a not-for-profit agency that represents the needy and the underprivileged. Eligible students maintain a 3.5 GPA.

LSAT Scholarship Award

This Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student who is actively applying to an accredited law school in Illinois, or is a recent graduate with a four-year degree and is taking the LSAT. Eligible students maintain a 3.5 GPA. The award will be sent directly to LSAT or to a law school and/or to a LSAT class provider and/or tutoring for LSAT.

Disabled Law Student Scholarship Award (DLSSA)

This Scholarship (an award of at least $500) was established with the support of attorney Stacy J. Campbell, an Associate with Hinshaw and Culbertson, and her fiance Dr. George F. Viamontes. With their wedding set for October of this year, Stacy and George are inviting guests to make donations to the DLSSA in lieu of traditional wedding gifts. They also encourge and invite everyone to contribute to this scholarship fund and help support derserving law students with disabilities for many years to come. This Scholarship will be awarded to a disabled law student who is attending an accredited law school in the Chicago area. There is no GPA requirement for this scholarship. Read more about the DLSSA and contribute here.

In addition to these scholarships, DSF provides opportunities for externships with judges in a variety of different fields. Those selected for externships will be provided a stipend. Interested persons must complete a the scholarship application linked above. All of the requirements set forth in the scholarship application apply to those seeking externships including mandatory attendance at the 2015 Unity Award Dinner. I'll have a post up about the dinner soon. Meanwhile, for more information about the scholarship program, dsfchicago@gmail.com.

New countywide vacancy opens up

A new countywide judicial vacancy has opened up, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Administrative Law Judge Fredrick H. Bates was listed as the 'first alternate' following the August slating meeting of the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee. He presumably is pre-slated this morning for the new Richard F. Walsh vacancy.

November 3 fundraiser for Judge Lyke in Palos Heights

Supporters of Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke's countywide judicial bid are hosting a South Suburban Reception for their candidate on Tuesday, November 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Zachary's, 13415 S. Ridgeland Rd. in Palos Heights.

Tickets for the event cost $150 each but sponsorships are available ($250 - Friend, $500 - Supporter, $1,000 - Host). Discounted tickets, for $65 each, may be obtained by "young professionals," those with five or fewer years' experience. Attorneys Mohammed Ghouse and John Fairman are hosting the fundraiser.

For more information about the event, or to order tickets, call (312) 854-8018 or click on this page of Judge Lyke's campaign website.

Lisa A. Copland to seek 1st Subcircuit judicial vacancy

Family law practitioner Lisa A. Copland has announced her intent to seek one of the two 1st Subcircuit vacancies in the March primary. That's a link to her campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Copland has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1997. According to the campaign bio on her website, Copland practices regularly in the Circuit Court's Domestic Relations Division, representing men and women in divorce cases, and also before the Parentage Court. She has represented parties in domestic violence matters and has served as court-appointed Guardian ad Litem in highly contested custody cases. Copland has also represented children and families in the Probate Division, and in the Juvenile Court, in both delinquency and child protection matters, as well as in DCFS investigations and appeals.

According to her campaign website, Copland is a graduate of Princeton University and Northwestern University Law School. She has served as a volunteer attorney with the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foreclosure Mediation Program and has provided pro bono consultations for the Cook County Bar Association Free Legal Clinic.

Melchor campaign to host Halloween fundraiser at Balmoral Park Racetrack

Supporters of Mary Alice Melchor's 5th Subcircuit judicial bid are planning a fundraiser for their candidate on Saturday, October 31, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Balmoral Park Racetrack, 26435 South Dixie Highway in Crete.

Tickets for the event are $60 apiece ($100 for a sponsorship ticket) and the price includes:

• Complimentary Clubhouse Admission;
• Complimentary Official Racing Program;
• Two hours of an all you can eat buffet, including a carving station, pasta, chicken & fish entrees, salad bar with a variety of cold salads, homemade soup du jour, vegetable of the day, potato or rice, desserts, and one complimentary soda; and
• A Special Race Dedication for the Committee to Elect Mary Alice Melchor for Judge.

The dining room opens at 6:00. The buffet will be served from 6:30 to 8:30, with desserts available until 9:00 p.m. The first race starts at 7:10 p.m.

For more information about the event, or to order tickets, call Michael Wilson at (312) 402-7194, Maricke Gilbert at (708) 259-5339, or email marymelchorforjudge@gmail.com.

November 10 fundraiser for 2nd Subcircuit candidate Celeste K. Jones

Celeste K. Jones, an attorney in the Public Guardian's Office, is running for judge in the 2nd Subcircuit, and her supporters have organized a fundraiser for their candidate on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Truth Italian Restaurant, 56 E. Pershing Street, Chicago.

Tickets for the event are $50 apiece, but sponsorships are available ($100 - patron, $250 - sponsor). For more information about the event, or to order tickets, see this page of the candidate's campaign website.

Decision Day today for Dorothy Brown

The Cook County Democratic Party will be meeting at 11:00 a.m. today, October 23 at the Erie Street Cafe, 536 W. Erie Street, to determine whether to rescind its endorsement of Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown for the March Primary.

Today's meeting follows a decision Wednesday by the executive committee of the Cook County Democratic Party, calling for today's full meeting of the Central Committee. The Central Committee is made up of the 50 Chicago Ward and 30 Township Committeemen.

Any presentations by Circuit Court Clerk candidates seeking a possible endorsement will be open to the public. However, the deliberations of the Party Committeemen are private.

The unusual reconsideration of the Central Committee's decision to slate Dorothy Brown for another term as Clerk of the Circuit Court stems from recent revelations of an active, ongoing Federal investigation including a visit by Federal investigators to Clerk Brown's home during the week of October 5. Brown's county-issued cellphone was apparently seized by agents in the course of that visit.

Judge Esrig unanimously endorsed in 9th Subcircuit

Maria Ballantyne, who handles public relations work for the campaign to elect Judge Jerry Esrig to a 9th Subcircuit vacancy (a seat he now holds per Supreme Court appointment), wrote in to advise that Judge Esrig has been unanimously endorsed the Democratic Committeemen in that subcircuit. To quote from her press release:

For the first time in many years, the Democratic Committee of the 9th Subcircuit has come together to unanimously endorse a candidate, throwing their support behind Judge Jerry Esrig in Cook County’s 9th Judicial Subcircuit race.

Evanston Township Democratic Committeeman Eamon Kelly stated, “Judge Esrig is a great judge. He’s smart, hardworking and fair. We are lucky to have him on the bench, and endorsing him was an easy choice for the Democratic Party.”

City of Chicago 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore agreed, saying, “I’m proud to endorse Judge Esrig because of his strong record of community involvement, his outstanding legal and judicial career, and the unanimously positive evaluations he has received from the bar associations. I will be working hard to support him in the Democratic primary.”

Committeemen in the 9th Subcircuit, which includes Chicago's 49th and 50th Wards (and portions of the 48th, 40th and 41st Wards) as well as and Evanston and Niles Townships (and portions of New Trier, Northfield, and Maine Townships), have a long tradition of independence. A unanimous endorsement of anyone in that subcircuit is indeed newsworthy.

Justice Burke announces appointment process in 13th Subcircuit

Ooops. FWIW had the news about the vacancy in the 13th Subcircuit but entirely missed the Supreme Court's announcement about the appointment process....

The good news is that it's not too late -- the deadline for applications is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 30.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, an applicant must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois and a resident of the far northwest suburban 13th Judicial Subcircuit.

Justice Burke's screening committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Benjamin K. Miller, will consider the applications submitted.

Notice of the vacancy and details of the application process are posted on the Illinois Supreme Court's website at
www.illinoiscourts.gov. From there, follow the instructions on the "Latest News" scroller announcing the 13th Judicial Subcircuit vacancy.

Completed applications should be submitted by mail to the Hon. Benjamin K. Miller, c/o Jenner & Block, 353 N. Clark St., 42nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

Rosa Silva announces 7th Subcircuit judicial bid, launches campaign website

An anonymous reader left a comment consisting of this link to the campaign website of Assistant Public Defender Rosa Silva, another candidate for judge in the 7th Subcircuit. Yes, that's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Silva has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2001. According to her campaign bio, Silva currently works as an Assistant Public Defender in a felony courtroom at 26th & California. She has over 100 bench trials and 55 felony jury trials, according to the campaign bio.

Silva is a past president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and is, according to her campaign bio, the current recording secretary of the Women's Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (which she also serves as one of the chairs of the WBAI Diversity Committee). Silva was named one of the "Top 40 under 40 Illinois Attorneys to watch" published by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and is a member of AFSCME, Local 3315.

In addition to her bachelor's degree (from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and her law degree (from IIT-Chicago Kent), Silva also holds a Master's Degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. According to her campaign bio, Silva recently participated in the "26th Street Reader, which tutored elementary school students at Kannon Elementary in the Lawndale neighborhood. She has participated in Lawyers in the Classroom and has gone to various schools in Chicago to teach elementary school students about Constitutional Law."

Patrick D. John announces 7th Subcircuit judicial bid

A post here yesterday prompted an email from Patrick D. John, an attorney with the Barclay Law Group, who wrote to advise that he is planning a run for the Rivkin-Carothers vacancy in the 7th Subcircuit. His note advises that, "to the best of my knowledge, I'm currently the only Black male in the race in the 7th right now." John has no campaign website yet, but there is a Facebook page. He has been licensed as an Illinois attorney since 1998, according to ARDC, and his firm bio notes that he started his law school career while still serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. "One of his legal passions," the Barclay firm bio notes, "is helping military veterans who are denied disability benefits receive the payments they’ve earned for serving their country."

John framed his note to FWIW yesterday as an introduction, saying that he'd been following posts here about the 7th Subcircuit vacancies and, in particular, the comments regarding Judge Pat Spratt, whom the Supreme Court recently appointed to the Rivkin-Carothers vacancy. I quote a portion of his email:

I met Judge Spratt briefly, and she seemed to be a very nice lady. Very professional and gracious-I have no problem with her personally. In fact, I have no reason to believe that wouldn't be a fine judge. Nor do I have any reason to believe that her judicial decisions will be tempered in any way by those who donate to her campaign. But all that is the beside the point.

I think the obvious elephant in the room is the issue of race, not prior party affiliation or her husband's judicial history. The sub-circuits were created in large part to make it easier for more Blacks and Hispanics to become judges. There are Black and Hispanic candidates who would also make fine judges, who are being denied the opportunity that the sub-circuit system was designed to give us. The sub-circuit system was designed in large measure to allow us to become judges, and to do so with minimal control from those who live outside our communities. Our nation has been plagued by racism for centuries. Things have gotten better for Blacks in so many ways over the years, but there is still much room for improvement in several arenas. The justice system being chief amoung them. The mere fact that in a city as racially diverse as Chicago, we can go so long without a single Black male federal judge should give us pause. Of the 10 judges in the 7th currently, there is only 1 Black male, yet there are are 2 White males.

November 7 fundraiser for Maureen O'Donoghue Hannon

Supporters of Maureen O'Donoghue Hannon's countywide judicial bid have announced a fundraiser for their candidate on Saturday, November 7, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Jefferson Tap, 325 N. Jefferson in Chicago. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Tickets for the event are $100 each, and one can become a Sponsor for a $250 donation. For more information, or to order tickets, contact Patrick Clair by email at fundraiser@mohforjudge.com or by calling (773) 447-7061.

Confirmation: Jackson, Ballard slated in 7th Subcircuit

Ask and ye shall receive....

Jennifer Ballard

Questions raised here yesterday about Democratic Party slating in Subcircuits 2, 5, 7 and 9 drew an immediate comment about 7th Subcircuit slating from regular reader E.P. and this confirmation from 29th Ward Democratic Committeeman Deborah L. Graham, who chaired the 7th Subcircuit slating committee:

On October 4, 2015, The Democratic Party slating committee for the 7th Judicial Subcircuit unanimously slated Hon. Judge Marianne Jackson for the Anthony L. Burrell vacancy and Jennifer Ballard, a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson, for the Anita Rivkin Carothers vacancy.

FWIW received contacts by or about two other 7th Subcircuit candidates yesterday as well; posts about these candidates will follow in due course.

Invite reminders, endorsements and other small items

I put this up before, but the Bertina Lampkin campaign requested that I again remind readers of the fundraiser being held tonight to support Justice Lampkin's candidacy at Petterino's, 50 West Randolph Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be the Honorary Chair for this gathering. Tickets are priced at $150 each and sponsorships are available as well (Friend - $250, Supporter - $500, Host - $1,000, Co-Chair - $2,500, or Chair - $5,000). For more information the event, or to order tickets, email Kelly McKevitt at kmckevitt@newchicagollc.com, or call her at (312) 448-8014.

The Edward J. King campaign has reached out to FWIW to advise that their candidate, who was appointed to the Kunkle vacancy in the west suburban 4th Subcircuit by the Illinois Supreme Court a year ago, has recently been slated as the Democratic Party's candidate in the March 2016 Primary.

With that information, we now know of Democratic Party slating in the 1st Subcircuit (Judges Maryam Ahmad and Anthony Simpkins), the 4th (Judge King as noted above), the 6th (Richard C. Cooke and Carlos Claudio), the 10th (Stephanie Saltouros), the 11th (Judges Marc Martin and William B. Sullivan), and the 12th (James E. Hanlon, Jr. and Judge Carrie Hamilton).

I don't know who's been slated by the Democrats in Subcircuits 2, 5, 7 and 9, which sounds pretty much like the list of TV channels available when I was a kid. I'm hoping FWIW readers can fill the gaps.

I also don't know of anyone who's running in the 13th Subcircuit, the solid Republican enclave on the northwest corner of Cook County. Again, I'm looking for reader assistance here.

Campaign website for Stephanie Saltouros found

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Stephanie Saltouros, recently slated as the Democratic Party's candidate for judge in the 10th Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence. A link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Saltouros's website touts her lengthy experience as a prosecutor, from 1996-2008, highlighting her experience leading the "Domestic Violence prosecution team in the Second [Municipal] District, where she used her expertise in that area to prosecute hundreds of domestic abusers" and her subsequent service in the Felony Review Unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office, where, according to her campaign site, she "worked closely with police officers from Chicago, Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Glenview, assisting in hundreds of investigations that led to the prosecution and conviction of thousands of criminals." The last five years of her career in the State's Attorney's Officer were spent as a felony prosecutor; she has been in private practice since 2008.

In addition to service on her Local School Council and PTA (her children attend CPS schools, according to the website), Saltouros "is the Vice President of the Emergent Theatre Company and also serves as a member of its Board of Directors."

Ed Underhill fundraiser set for October 22

Supporters of Ed Underhill's 6th Subcircuit judicial bid are hosting a fundraiser for their candidate on Thursday, October 22, from 5:30 to 7:30, at the offices of Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd., 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2500.

Tickets for the event are $250 each, but sponsorships are available ($500 - Friend, $1,000 - Host, $2,500 - Chair). Dr. Kenneth and Ellen Chessick are the official hosts for this fundraiser. For more information about the event, or to reserve tickets, email Mia@miaphifer.com or call Mia at (773) 398-6896.

Thomas F. McGuire announces judicial candidacy, fundraiser tonight at Park Ridge Country Club

Park Ridge criminal defense attorney Thomas F. McGuire has announced his intent to seek a judicial vacancy in the March 2016 primary -- and his supporters are throwing a fundraiser on his behalf tonight, Wednesday, October 14, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., at the Park Ridge Country Club, 636 N. Prospect in Park Ridge.

Tickets for the event are $100 each, but sponsorships are available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $5,400). For more information, or to order tickets, call Frank DiFranco at (847) 825-7744.

McGuire is a former Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. He has been licensed in Illinois since 2000.

Fundraiser, get acquainted event set for Judge Patricia "Pat" Spratt

Supporters of Judge Patricia "Pat" Spratt have scheduled two October events for their candidate.

First up, on Tuesday, October 13, is a fundraiser at O'Brien's Restaurant, 1528 N. Wells. Tickets for the event, which runs from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., are priced at $125 apiece. Sponsorships are also available ($250 - Supporter, $500 - Patron, $1,000 - Sponsor). Co-chairs for this fundraiser are Kevin Forde and Rich Prendergast.

The second event is a free get acquainted meeting on October 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Good Earth Greenhouse and Cafe, 7900 Madison in River Forest. Julie Bauer and Paul Greenberg and Regan and Tom Cronin are the hosts for this event, which is billed as an "opportunity to meet Pat and learn about her background, experience and campaign for judge."

Spratt was recently appointed to the Rivkin-Carothers vacancy in the 7th Subcircuit by the Illinois Supreme Court.

For more information about either event, to obtain tickets, or to reserve a place at the River Forest event, email eric@blueprintcampaignconsulting.com.

Daniel Patrick Duffy campaign website found online

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of countywide judicial candidate and current sitting Judge Daniel Patrick Duffy. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Duffy to the Ruscitti Grussel vacancy in April 2014. The Cook County Democratic Party slated Duffy for a countywide judicial post this past August.

At the time of his appointment, Duffy was a shareholder in the Chicago office of Peterson, Johnson & Murray, S.C. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Notre Dame, in 1987 and 1993 respectively. In between Duffy received an M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University (graduating in 1989).

Licensed in both Wisconsin and (since 1995) in Illinois, Duffy also served as a member of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission’s Review Board and as a Hearing Officer for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District prior to his appointment to the bench.

Money talks? Hamilton campaign talks about money

Judge Carrie Hamilton's campaign manager Sean Tenner called the other day to let FWIW know that his candidate had $138,860.57 in funds available as of the close of the September 30 reporting period, raising $72,590 in donations during that time.

Hamilton was recently slated by local Democratic committeemen for the Tristano vacancy in the north suburban 12th Subcircuit.

If you'd like to see how your favorite candidate is doing in the fundraising department, visit this page of the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Change the first 'drop down' from 'starts with' to 'contains' and enter the last name of the candidate in which you're interested.

Brendan O'Brien fundraiser and petition party October 23

Supporters of Brendan O'Brien are planning an October 23 fundraiser for their candidate, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Kenny's Tavern, 917 W. 55th Street, Countryside. Cocktails and food will be served; nominating petitions will be available for signature or distribution.

Hinshaw & Culbertson partner Matthew Walsh II and the Hon. Donald J. O'Brien, Jr. (Ret.) are the co-chairs of the event. The suggested donation for the fundraiser and petition party is $75 per person, but sponsorships are available for $300. To order tickets, or for more information about the event, email nrowell@hinshawlaw.com.

Republicans, start your engines: Vacancy opens in 13th Subcircuit

An alert reader pointed out that the Illinois State Board of Elections has posted a new judicial vacancy, this one in the far northwest suburban 13th Subcircuit.

The 13th Subcircuit, alone among Cook County subcircuits, has consistently produced Republican judges. Democrats -- like Republicans in virtually all other parts of Cook County -- often don't even bother to field contestants.

(Note: A Republican was elected from the north suburban 12th Subcircuit in 2014, and consequently Republican hopefuls are expected to file for one or both of the vacancies there in this primary cycle.)

October 29 fundraiser for Judge Alison Conlon at the Union League Club

Supporters of Judge Alison Conlon are planning an October 29 fundraiser for their candidate, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., in the Library Room of the Union League Club.

Tickets for the event are $250 each, and sponsorships are available (Friend - $500, Sponsor - $1,000, Host - $2,500).

For more information about the fundraiser, or to reserve tickets, contact Jonah Siegellak at (773) 294-7828 or email him at jsiegellak@gmall com.

The co-chairs of the Conlon campaign are Han. Sheila O'Brien (Ret.) and Cherryl Thomas.

October 30 fundraiser for "volunteer-dishwashing" Judge Ahmad

I used to say all judicial candidates have to raise money to get elected. I have since learned that, if this is a rule, there are exceptions. Very few exceptions, but some. But most -- nearly all -- judicial candidates have to raise money.

And so it is no surprise that supporters of Judge Maryam Ahmad have scheduled an October 30 fundraiser for their candidate at Truth Italian Restaurant, 56 East Pershing Rd. And, given the proximity of the event to Halloween, it is likewise no surprise that guests are asked to come in costume.

But... volunteer-dishwashing judge?

I had to ask.

It turns out that Truth's owner, Ms. Peytyn Wilborn, and Judge Ahmad are friends. A campaign representative explained in an email, "Judge Ahmad was very impressed by Ms. Wilborn's drive and determination to succeed in an area of the city that needs more businesses. Judge Ahmad started volunteering to wash dishes at Truth to assist Ms. Wilborn in her efforts AND as a way to personally meet southside residents. Judge Ahmad believes that the first time a person meets a judge should NOT be in court."

The October 30 fundraiser starts at 6:00 p.m. No specific admission price has been specified but (remember, this is a fundraiser) campaign donations will be cheerfully accepted. For more information about the event, contact Ms. Wilborn at (312) 715-8796.