His initial assignment was in First Municipal. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Hon. Hon. He has been a speaker for various bar associations. Jane's Army is a joint campaign to recruit activist volunteers to educate, motivate, and activate pro-choice voters ahead of the critical 2022 election. Judge Reva G. Goetz. Attorneys reported that he is diligent, fair, even keeled and sensitive to diversity. Community feedback really should be a bigger part of the evaluation process, he said. Rounding out the Top 5 states were Maine, Connecticut, Wyoming and Alaska. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and retained in 2016. The Committee finds Kerrie Maloney Laytin qualified election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. He won election for a full term the following year, and retired from the bench in 2012. Yet the Chicago Council of Lawyers was the only one of the three major bar associations to give Coghlan a negative rating. He has been a speaker or moderator on legal topics both in-person and virtually. After that, they face a yes-or-no vote for retention every six years. Hon. In addition, the Council evaluates First District candidates for the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Appellate 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. Susana L. Ortiz has been licensed since 2001. Maloney and numerous fellow Cook County judges were the focus of an investigation named Operation Greylord. He has served on Illinois Supreme Court committees, been a speaker on many occasions, and is a member of various bar associations. Thaddeus L. Wilson has been licensed since 1994. Justices chose Appellate Judge Joy Cunningham to replace her starting . Hon. He has taught, written, and spoken on legal topics, and served as an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School. And I think voters should have an issue with her, too. He was a career assistant public defender who recently retired from that office. Attorneys reported that he knows civil procedure and runs a very tight and efficient court. Having the highest number of rulings reversed of any judge IS an issue. He is currently assigned to Domestic Relations in the Third District (Rolling Meadows). She was selected as an associate judge in 2021 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. Judge Socrates P. Manoukian Santa Clara County CA. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004, retained in 2010 and 2016. The Newsletter Bringing the Legal System to Light. But most judicial candidates did not respond to the organizations questionnaire. The current list includes 1 top admin judge, 1 appellate judge, 3 superior court & 5 at the district/family court level. Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County. . A circuit court judge may carry the title At Large, Resident, or Associate. Judge Thomas Else is Literally the worst most unfair bias considering judge I have ever encountered. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 1980 and has been retained six times since then. He has both civil and criminal jury and bench experience, has handled appeals, and litigated other motions and restraining orders in both federal and state courts. He has been on the Board of Chicagos Theological Seminary and Claremont McKenna College and was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award by Claremont McKenna in 2019. ShawnTe Raines-Welch has been licensed since 2009. Hon. He is currently the Treasurer of the Advocates Society and a committee member. In Illinois, circuit court judges are elected to the bench. After initially sitting in Traffic Court and in Bridgeview, since June 2021 he has been assigned to Domestic Relations as preliminary matters judge. Patricia Susan Spratt was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. She has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2001 and is currently Acting Presiding Judge, while also the Administrative Presiding Judge of the Resource Section of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Follow Ray Hanania at He is currently assigned to the Law Division. She has been assigned to the Law Division, Jury Trial Section since 2007, and also is the Supervising Judge, Cook County Asbestos Docket. Bar association evaluations are a volunteer effort that have to be conducted in a relatively short period of time, Rich told Injustice Watch leading up to the last general election. Do not edit original work. It was frustrating because I was craving information, and I couldnt find it, said Nes, who works as a health care consultant. Founder, bioengineer, and Illinois Swim Team Captain Cara This information for ODAR offices located in Illinois was last updated on 12/01/2022. That means it only takes 40 percent NO vote to remove them from the Bench. They are: Margaret Ann Brennan, Patrick J. Sherlock, Kenneth J. Wadas and Anna Helen Demacopoulos. He worked at several different firms before joining his current firm, focusing on similar areas. He previously worked for several agencies included the Legal Assistance Foundation and is a mediator and arbitrator. Aileen Bhandari was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. Lawyers report that she knows the law and how to apply it, and issues thoughtful rulings. International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago Wolves Noesen wins Presidents Award, Prominent producer to write screen adaptation of story on the fight against Thalassemia, Sheriff and District 230 honor students for public service hours, Chicagoan who invested in research to save children releases new book, Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications, Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job, United offers endless airline travel problems for travelers. Hon. The ISBA finds Judge Charles Patrick Burns recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. The groups investigation raised significant concerns about Judge Marinos work ethic, punctuality, diligence and knowledge of the law. Cook County voters should demand more from a $202,000-a-year employee. While a circuit court judge, he sat in Mortgage Foreclosure, Traffic, Domestic Violence, and the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). Although more research is needed in the area of substance abuse and loneliness to understand the link, data reports also indicate a tie . Charles Patrick Burns has been licensed since 1981. He is regarded by fellow attorneys as possessing exceptions legal skills, and being very inclusive and even keeled, with high integrity. They can be fixed. Having the highest number of rulings reversed of any judge. Critics of the Colorado model say theres not enough transparency in the process and note that the commissions still find that most judges meet performance standards. For more information, the Cook County Clerk lists all of the 103 judges running for retention. Thomas J. Maloney (1925-2008) was a judge in Cook County, Illinois who served from 1977 until his indictment for bribery in 1991. These four judges had 100 cases ormore each before the Appellate Court based on their assignments. Attorneys gave favorable comments about his knowledge of the law in the areas he currently handles, and stated that he is even-tempered, efficient, and reasonable. The Committee finds Bernadette Barrett qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Hon. He also received positive comments on his temperament, diligence, impartiality, and integrity. He currently serves as the Presiding Judge in the Probate Division, after being appointed Acting Presiding Judge in 2019. Prior to her recent appointment, she held various positions within Cook County government, including as Special Assistant for Legal Affairs in the Cook County Bureau of Administration (April 2018 to April 2022), Interim Director of the Cook County Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services (November 2018 to August 2019); Assistant Special Legal Counsel to the Office of Cook County Board President (March 2013 to April 2018); and Chief of Staff and General Counsel to then Cook County Commission Jesus Chuy Garcia (December 2010 to March 2013). Hon. She has substantial criminal jury and bench experience. Attorneys reported that she is fair minded, hard-working, professional, and diligent. Retention means a judge must receive at least 60% of the votes cast in their race to stay on the bench. That all led to two vacancies on the ballot this year for the newly drawn Second and Third Districts in Chicago's suburban counties. Many voters vote No on all the judges not to hurt the judges but to help campaigns take out bad judges that have been targeted by groups angry with rulings. She has been a speaker and written about legal issues and served on the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission and the Hillside Zoning Commission. The ISBA finds Justice James Fitzgerald Smith recommended for retention to the Illinois Appellate Court First District. For the year 2015 there were 1001 circuit court judges, and 54 appellate court judges. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2016. So, when a judges ruling is reversed, it suggests there is something wrong. Currently she is on the board of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and volunteers with other community groups. Attorneys praised his knowledge of probate law and his thorough and well-reasoned written opinions. Attorneys generally complimented his legal knowledge and ability and referenced his well-written rulings. Hon. The Committee finds that Debra Walker is highly qualified for election to the Illinois Appellate Court. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004 and retained in 2010 and 2016. Edit State of Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board COMPLAINT AGAINST A JUDGE - illinois. Timothy Evans has been licensed since 1969. 49:32. Hon. Text. Welcome to The Washington Post e-Replica! He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014 and elected in 2016. Attorneys praised her strong legal knowledge, her commitment to the elimination of bias, her impartiality, her integrity, and her judicial temperament. Charles Charlie Beach has been licensed since 1996. From 2009 until 2016, she was assigned to the Criminal Division in the Second District (Skokie). Injustice Watch is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism organization that conducts in-depth research exposing institutional failures that obstruct justice and equality. He was universally praised by attorneys for his legal knowledge and ability, they stated that he is always prepared for oral arguments and asks excellent questions. 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. Smollett was indicted on 16 counts before Foxx dropped all charges in March 2019. In addition, she helped create the Cook County Drug Court Treatment Program in the Second District. America today is virtually a juristocracy--government of, by and for people with law degrees. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our public service journalism emailed directly to you. Illinois nearly captured 20% of the top 10 worst local . He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2009, elected in 2010 and retained in 2016. Repondents said Illinois had the least competent judges and worst quality of appellate review, while also failing to enforce "meaningful venue requirements" - meaning the courts allowed plaintiffs to sue in what the defendants considered to be the wrong county or state altogether. 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. Before being licensed in Illinois, she clerked for two federal judges and was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice. She treats people respectfully, is well-prepared, and issues opinions in a timely manner. Hon. Attorneys widely praised him for his work in his current assignment and his knowledge of abuse and neglect law. How are you supposed to cast an informed vote? She is a former president of the Southwest bar Association and a member of various other bars. She is Chairman of the Board and a Founder of the Alexander Family Foundation. For more boxing news, click here! Carolyn Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. THE JUDGES BELOW ARE KNOWN TO BE CORRUPT OR HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES AND ABUSED THEIR POWER FOR PROFIT. News comes daily from Chicago and Cook County about suspects freshly charged in heinous crimes even though they were already on probation or parole for earlier misdeeds, or awaiting trial while out on bail. Theis is slated to be the next chief justice, a rotating position. The special prosecutor that Toomin appointed, former prosecutor Dan Webb, concluded Foxx engaged in abuses of discretion in her communications to the public. He is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association, a past Section chair with the Illinois State Bar Association, a committee member with the Illinois Judges Association, and has served on Illinois Supreme Court committees and the Illinois Courts Commission. She is a past president of the National Association of Women Judges and the Illinois Judges Association. Initially she served in First Municipal and in the Elder Law and Miscellaneous Remedies Division. The Committee finds Aileen Bhandari qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The ISBA finds Judge Daniel J. Gallagher recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. He has been assigned to Criminal Division since October 2017; since October 2021 he has presided over a felony call after previously serving in the Pre-Trial Division. Former Deputy Treasurer of Cook County of Illinois. Hon. She received high praise for her integrity and her sensitivity towards the many diverse people that appear before her, include those appearing pro se. The Illinois system of disciplining judges first was enacted in 1970, after two state Supreme Court Justices, Ray Klingbiel and Roy J. Solfisburg Jr., fell under scrutiny for having acquired shares in a new Chicago bank just before they took part in deciding a case in favor of one of the banks executives. She is a past president of the Asian American Bar Association and on the Board of the Womens Bar Association of Illinois and has been active with other bar associations. Attorneys reported that his legal knowledge was superior in the art of charitable trust issues and fraud. Government-worker pension costs are overwhelming the state's budget: 19 percent of the budget is going to pay for pensions, compared to 4 percent in other states. One Day At a Time-Benson-Dallas-Eight is Enough, 10/19/79. She is a past president of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and was a Board member of the Illinois Judges Association and Illinois Latino Judges Association. Some specifically cited his exceptional patience with pro se litigants. Give credit to the original source. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and retained in 2016. Attorneys reported that, while due to the nature of her job, they had limited experience observing her legal knowledge and ability, within the confines of her current role, she did have good knowledge of, especially with the effects of proposed legislation. She also teaches as judicial conferences. The ISBA finds Judge James L. Allegretti recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 1989 and then elected in 1994 and retained in 2000. In 2021 she received the Mary Heftel Hooton award from the WBAI and in 2019 received the Sandra Otaka Leadership Award from the AABA. She is apart time Adjunct Professor/Instructor at Loyola University School of Law. The average case processing time in Illinois is 410 days. Hon. Prior to her assignment in Chancery, she was the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division; she also previously served in Criminal, Chancery and First Municipal. Investigators then interview lawyers and judges who have worked with them, including opposing counsel from trials or cases. Hon. Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 . U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), Pritzker, Raoul: No 'fundamental right' to own, sell 'assault weapons' in IL, ask IL high court to toss TRO, 4th Ward Chicago Ald. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2015 and elected in 2016. Hon. Mike Franco, candidate for Massachusetts Governor's Council. Judicial bar ratings are complex and important. He has a reputation as a person of great integrity who listens, is always prepared, and treats all with respect. 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. To this day Maloney is listed as "one of the worst judges in history." 3. Basically that means she lied, and probably to protect Smollett for political and even possibly racial reasons. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association and a speaker. Attorneys and judges reported that she is a very well-versed jurist who issues thorough and even-sided opinions. The Committee finds Nick Kantas qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Stymied by all those unfamiliar names at the bottom of your ballot? He is a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Education, and also served on the Courts Committee on Judicial Performance for six years. A broken ankle. They say he is not a good judge, but I think the truth is far more political. While most attorneys praised her temperament, a few found her to be impatient at times. Gary William Seyring has been licensed since 1978. She was a member of the River Forest Plan Commission from 1995 to 2008; is a member of various bar associations; and is active in community affairs. Judicial candidates are rated by the ISBA - JEC members based on detailed information supplied by candidates, a background check by trained lawyers/investigators, and interviews of each candidate. Geary W. Kull has been licensed since 1974. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2016. She was praised for her ethics and her commitment to diversity in her judicial appointments, as well as her demeanor and diligence. Colorado and many of the states that have adopted public commissions to evaluate judges differ from Illinois in another key way by appointing, not electing, judges. Hon. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. The Committee finds Bradley R. Trowbridge qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The ISBA finds Judge Maureen ODonoghue Hannon recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. South Dakota had been ranked No. He is an experienced commercial litigator, with some jury and bench trial experience and substantial complex quasi-litigation before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other boards. On their assignments running for retention every six years and is a and... Previously worked for several agencies included the legal Assistance Foundation and is former! Emailed directly to you to apply it, and being very inclusive and possibly! 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