Illinois Courts Commission: A System Borne from Scandal, Joseph C. Polito, Will County Associate Judge, Kurt P. Klein, DeKalb County Circuit Judge, William G. Schwartz, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge. According to the report, survey respondents rate Illinois worst in the country in five of 10 criteria. We give them enough to have some sense of whether somebody thinks that the judge is doing a good job, he said. In Cook County, two-thirds of the roughly 400 judges are elected - either countywide or on a subcircuit, which is a particular . Personal PAC, Men4Choice, and Future Voices Council have Launched Jane's Army to Elect Illinois Pro-Choice Candidates in 2022! Welcome to The Washington Post e-Replica! She practices in the areas of domestic relations, civil litigation and corporate law with the Barrett Law Group. She has been assigned to the Law Division, Jury Trial Section since 2007, and also is the Supervising Judge, Cook County Asbestos Docket. It was frustrating because I was craving information, and I couldnt find it, said Nes, who works as a health care consultant. Prior to that assignment, he had been the Presiding Judge of the Pretrial Division at the Leighton Criminal Court House since 2017. He has been assigned to the Criminal Division at the Leighton Courthouse since 2009, and to the Veterans Treatment Court since 2018. Judge Socrates P. Manoukian Santa Clara County CA. The ISBA finds Judge Brendan A. OBrien recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Merit selection combined with retention elections is meant to hedge against the influence of partisan politics while maintaining public accountability. Survey respondents ranked the legal systems of Florida, Mississippi, California and Louisiana 46th-49th, respectively. In Illinois, circuit court judges are elected to the bench. #10 Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall, UFC on FX 2 - March 2nd, 2012 The judges robbed Ian McCall of a win over Demetrious Johnson She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2016. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010and retained in 2016. Unlike Colorado, Illinois voters rejected an amendment to the states constitution in 1970 to create judicial nominating commissions that would have recommended candidates for appointment to the bench by the governor. She has some jury, bench and quasi-trial experience. She is considered to be professional and compassionate. For its judicial endorsements, the Tribune Editorial Board relies on the bar groups evaluations and on its own research, including discussions with lawyers and judges who know the candidates. She had been with the SAO since 2001; prior to that she worked for the Cook County Public Guardian and the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plan, as well as another stint as an assistant states attorney. He was a founding member of the South Asian Bar Association. She has received various awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Judges Association, the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Womens Bar Association, the Access to Justice Award from the Illinois State Bar Association, and the John Paul Stevens Award from the Chicago Bar Association. Of the minority of complaints that do get investigated, most are dismissed or dealt with confidentially. After first being assigned to Traffic Court and then the Mortgage Foreclosure call in Chancery, in August 2018 she was transferred to her current assignment in General Chancery. They are: Margaret Ann Brennan, Patrick J. Sherlock, Kenneth J. Wadas and Anna Helen Demacopoulos. Hon. I am sure many of my readers have someone they are sure is the worst judge. On one hand they have to remain non-partisan and be fair, which is something that is impossible to do in Cook County and in any election. That means it only takes 40 percent NO vote to remove them from the Bench. He writes well-reasoned opinions and issues them in a timely fashion. The Committee finds Barry Goldberg qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. He worked at several different firms before joining his current firm, focusing on similar areas. The Committee finds Viviana Martinez not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Gary William Seyring has been licensed since 1978. The Committee finds Gary William Seyring qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. InjusticeWatch, by the way, doesnt recommend for or against retention as they are non-political. The decision was absurd, with the first judge scoring the fight 115-113, but at least he had the right fighter winning in Whitaker. She currently holds a dual assignment in the Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien section, and the Juvenile Justice Division, where she presides over the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court, an assignment she was given in 2019. Surveys are sent to a long list of people whove interacted with judges everyone from attorneys and jurors to litigants, law enforcement officers, local social service providers, and victims of crime asking about the judges integrity, legal knowledge, and communication skills. James J. Ryan has been licensed since 1992. Before that he served in various First Municipal assignments, including Traffic, Domestic Violence and Criminal Misdemeanor, as well as in the Fifth District (Bridgeview). She was named an associate judge in 2007, retained in 2011 and 2015. But critics, including Nes, say the evaluations fall short, noting how few judges over the years have received negative ratings, let alone get bounced from the bench by voters. He is a past president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and has served as a Board member of the Illinois Judges Association. In January 2022 she was appointed to the Circuit Court where she is currently assigned to Traffic Court. Marcia OBrien Conway was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1984. She has taught at judicial seminars. Jesse Outlaw, Jr. has been licensed since 1980. Now you can read The Washington Post e-Replica anytime, anywhere. Hon. After that, they face a yes-or-no vote for retention every six years. He is a member of several bar associations, speaks at seminars, mentored new judges, and is the recipient of many awards. November 3, 2022. Terms of office for circuit judges were lengthened to six years, making campaigns less frequent, and . Hon. Patrick Joseph Powers has been licensed since 1987. Previous assignments include Child Support and Felony Trial. The ISBA finds Justice Jesse G. Reyes recommended for retention to the Illinois Appellate Court First District. She was praised for her ethics and her commitment to diversity in her judicial appointments, as well as her demeanor and diligence. Hon. She has civil litigation experience and attorneys report that she has excellent legal knowledge citing her ability to reduce complicated issues into manageable parts. He was described as calm, patient and sensitive. She received overall positive comments for her legal knowledge and ability; a few questioned the extent of her experience in complex matters. Others critical of how judges are elected or retained in Illinois say the evaluations ignore the voice of the larger community and have an inherent conflict of interest by relying on primarily lawyers opinions. 13, while Iowa placed 23rd, Indiana 31st, Kentucky 49th and Missouri 44th. Hon. John Lyke. Learn more here: . She has taught law classes, and is a member of various bar associations, having served on committees with several of them. Hon. Hon. She is a career assistant states attorney currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division. He is currently assigned to the Law Division, Trial Section. 2002, Illinois ranked No. Edit State of Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board COMPLAINT AGAINST A JUDGE - illinois. Then after an initial two-year trial period and at the end of each subsequent term voters decide whether a judge should be retained. He is a past member of the Illinois State Bar Association Assembly, a past president of the Justinian Society, and an officer of the North Suburban Bar Association. The ISBA finds Judge Daryl J. Jones recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. The ISBA finds Judge Patricia Spratt recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Fueled by a surge in class action lawsuits under a state biometrics privacy law, Chicagos courts have been ranked the least fair in the country in a nationwide survey of corporate lawyers, helping Illinois to secure the title of worst statewide legal system in the country, according to the survey. That undermines confidence in our criminal justice system. Alison C. Conlon has been licensed since 2000. In 2017, he received the Judge Howard T. Markey Award from the John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, and in 2020 he was awarded the Robert J. Mangler Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association. In an interview, Cassidy said the bill failed to gain traction, citing opposition from Cook County Democratic Party leaders and concerns among bar associations of lawyers from underrepresented groups about its potential to harm diversity on the bench. I have disagreed with some judges that I liked, too. He was one of the villains in the "believer story . He lectures on legal topics. For next weeks election, just the Chicago Council of Lawyers and the Illinois State Bar Association published write-ups giving voters more details on judges backgrounds and performance. Hooks is rated positively by all major Illinois bar groups except the Illinois State Bar Association. But they are not like everyday candidates even though they are candidates on our election ballot. She prepared thoroughly for each case and is described as patient and kind to the many pro se litigants appearing before her. While attorneys agreed that she knows the law, writes well thought out opinions and is hard-working, substantial concerns were raised about her judicial temperament and demeanor. The special prosecutor that Toomin appointed, former prosecutor Dan Webb, concluded Foxx engaged in abuses of discretion in her communications to the public. Judges are really sensitive about elections. Kim said the results of the survey should be a wake-up call to policymakers, saying any states economic growth and prosperity depend in large part on the fairness and predictability of its legal system.. The Committee finds Diana Lpez qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. It was consistently reported by attorneys that his legal knowledge and ability is excellent, and he is able to grasp complex legal theories and understanding of the issues. The ISBA finds Judge Steven James Bernstein recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Judge Candace J. Beason. The Washington Post e-Replica is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at the newsstand. He is currently assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division, with a dual assignment to the First Municipal Division Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED) Court. Hon. Judge Laytin is well-regarded by attorneys for her legal knowledge and ability to deal with substantive issues. He is considered to be a strong advocate and an experienced trial attorney who gets good dispositions for his clients. In Illinois, circuit court judges are elected to the bench. The ISBA finds Judge Robert Balanoff recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Investigators then interview lawyers and judges who have worked with them, including opposing counsel from trials or cases. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004, retained in 2010 and 2016. He currently serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College. The Committee finds Araceli Reyes De La Cruz qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Chuck D's Classic Games Cavalcade. She has some civil jury trial experience, has handled some appeals and substantial quasi-litigation experience. Hon. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014 and elected in 2016. Barry Goldberg was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. He has been a guest lecturer at local law schools and on Supreme Court and Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts committees. Potential damages from such actions could amount to $1,000-$5,000 per violation, which some legal observers have asserted could be defined as each time an employee scans their fingerprint. We have not been able to (financially) support the project, which takes considerable staff time.. For context, she adds, Judge Demacopoulos is at 11 percent and she has had the highest number of cases before the Appellate Court. The potential for a shift in control of the state's highest court could impact major issues, including abortion and gun rights. He is currently assigned to the Law Division. As voters prepare for the November 8, 2022 General Election, they have a field of candidates to consider for Federal, State and County offices, including a number of important judicial races. The ISBA finds Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Taney authored what is widely viewed as the worst single decision in the Supreme Court's history, the pro-slavery decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford. The ISBA finds Judge D. Renee Jackson recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. The former NFL running back plead guilty to attacking Kristin Evans, the mother of his child, in mid-August 2021, when he allegedly became angry over . He is known as a hard worker who is fair and patient. Prior to that, he was with two other firms handling corporate litigation, and also served for one year as a clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals. At various time she has worked with law firms and had her own practice and spent the first four years of her legal career with the U.S. Department of Labor as a Labor Litigation attorney. Has been a speaker on legal topics and is a member of various bar associations. It . He has taught as an adjunct professor, written on legal topics and been a committee member with the American Bar Association. With another election fast approaching, Rebel Nes, an Illinois resident, recalled in a recent interview how challenging she found it in past election cycles to make an informed vote on the many judges running for retention. United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. This year, Justice Mary Jane Theis one of the three Illinois Supreme Court judges from the 1st District is up for retention. May 28, 1998 12:01 am ET. Attorneys report that she is punctual, prepared, follows court rules, and presents evidence honestly and straightforwardly. While Rich acknowledged the limitations of bar association ratings, he said he strongly thinks that they give voters a solid starting point for deciding whether a judge should be retained in office. Its just assumed within the industry that if a judge is already on the bench, then theyre qualified to be on the bench, Shiller told Injustice Watch. In 1993 she was appointed to the Appellate Court, First District, and then elected in 1994. worst judges in illinois. For example, people who support controversial Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx are campaigning hard to toss Judge Michael P. Toomin from the ballot. She has taught as an adjunct professor at DePaul and served as Vice-Chair of the Schiller DuCanto and Fleck Family Law Center there as well. She is described as fair, patient, and sensitive to all. Thomas Kelley has been licensed since 1984. Others did not have such concerns. He is currently serving as Acting Supervisor of the Housing Section, First Municipal. Electoral fraud in Illinois pre-dates the territory's admission to the Union in 1818. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2015 and retained in 2016. She was an assistant public defender until she was selected as an associate judge in 1983. He initially spent a year in Traffic Court. Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! Mary Jane Theis has been licensed since 1974. Attorneys praised her strong legal knowledge, her commitment to the elimination of bias, her impartiality, her integrity, and her judicial temperament. Malcolm Rich, executive director of the Chicago Council of Lawyers, said voters sometimes ask for more extensive research, including data on court management, results from court watching, and comments from people who have appeared before the judge. Well, I dont listen to the Bar Associations. The ISBA finds Judge Jesse Outlaw recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. A few felt he was unimpressive and did not always follow the rules. He is currently assigned to the Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section. Charles Charlie Beach has been licensed since 1996. While a circuit court judge, he sat in Mortgage Foreclosure, Traffic, Domestic Violence, and the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). Knox County Illinois Judge Benson Throws Out Order of Protection by Judge Mangieri for Kids. Do not edit original work. In the areas of "Trial Judges' Impartiality" and "Trial Judges' Competence," Illinois ranked 49th and 50th respectively. The ISBA finds Judge James L. Allegretti recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Hon. The effectiveness of the bond court and electronic monitoring has also been an issue, with some complaining about a lack of transparency at times. She is considered to be fair and impartial, with high character. On Nov. 8, Illinoisans will vote for important judge positions, including three Illinois Supreme Court justices and 16 appellate court judges. He served as presiding judge of Domestic Relations and the Law Division before being elected Chief Judge in 2001, a position he has recently been elected to for an eighth term. Cook County Circuit Judge Matthew Coghlan has come under scrutiny for his alleged role as a prosecutor in the wrongful convictions of Armando Serrano and Jose Montanez for a 1993 slaying. What Happens to Complaints Against Judges? In that ruling, the justices on the state high court expressed no concern over the potential costs to businesses, saying it was the point of the law to make businesses substantially liable for even technical violations. Before being licensed in Illinois, she clerked for two federal judges and was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice. Hon. Hon. Michael Weaver has been licensed since 2006. He was named to the inaugural list of Crains Chicago Business Notable LGBTQ Executives in 2018. Out of the 61 judges up for retention in Cook County in the Nov. 8 elections, for instance, all but four were recommended for another term by all the bar associations. (Committee for Retention of Judges in Cook County photo). Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. She serves on the Boards of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and the Illinois Judicial Foundation. Most people dont. Since 2019 she has been with Ancel Glink focusing on civil litigation defense and local government representation. Attorneys reported that she is well-regarded and respected for her extensive legal knowledge and experience. Her first assignment was in First Municipal. Its even rarer for voters to remove a judge from office. Daniel Patrick Duffy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. While they have taken aim at tech and social media giants, such as Facebook and Google, these lawsuits have particularly targeted employers for making employees scan their fingerprints on so-called biometric time clocks to verify their identity when punching in and out of work shifts or accessing secure areas, like drug storage closets. Eve Marie Reilly has been licensed since 1997. ADULT STAR USES FAN FOR $$$! Prior to starting her firm in 2019 she worked in a general practice with Barrett and Sramek from 1991 to 2018. Rich said he very much doubts that a politically appointed performance commission would fly in a state such as Illinois where judges are elected. 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