ISBA News

To the Editor: A highly regarded justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Tom Kilbride, is seeking to retain his seat on the court in the November 2 election. He is being opposed by special interest groups that have mounted a misleading advertising campaign. The ad messages focus on a tiny fraction of his many opinions while on the court, and in one case totally misstate his opinion to try to make their point. Their aim is simple - to tilt the judicial system in their favor. The stakes are high in this election. Justice Kilbride has served with distinction for the past 10 years. His service has been recognized by his fellow judges who selected him to be the next chief justice of the supreme court. A vote against retaining him would be a vote against an impartial judiciary, especially if such a vote resulted from the type of misinformation campaign that is being conducted. Voters should become informed about the qualifications of Justice Kilbride and should question the misleading information being circulated in an attempt to deny him a seat on the state’s highest court. Information about all judges on the November 2 ballot can be found at isba.org/judicialevaluations Sincerely, Mark D. Hassakis President, Illinois State Bar Association Mt. Vernon, Illinois (618) 244-5335

The Illinois State Bar Association's Solo and Small Firm Conference continues today at the Springfield Hilton. Plenary speaker Mark Curriden will be presenting "Contempt of Court: A Lynching that Changed the American Justice System" and Dustin Cole will be presenting "Practice Pointers for the Changing Legal Landscape." Follow all of the action at IllinoisLawyerNow.com or on Twitter at #isbassf.

The Illinois State Bar Association will begin running print and online ads statewide for the upcoming judicial elections. The online ad will be running on daily newspaper webites and is shown above. The message of the print ads includes: "Vote for Qualified Judges: Our court system relies on informed voters choosing qualified candidates for judicial office. Be an informed voter - visit www.isba.org/judicialevaluations to learn about the judicial candidates on your ballot."

The Illinois State Bar Association through the Association’s Standing Committee on Supreme and Appellate Court Judicial Election Campaign Tone and Conduct has been asked to review certain tactics by an entity identified as “JUSTPAC” in opposition to the retention of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride. The Standing Committee has a role in educating the public on ethical conduct in judicial elections and discouraging campaign activities that are unfair and reflect negatively on the integrity and independence of the judiciary. The Standing Committee finds that the “JUSTPAC” campaign directed at Justice Kilbride is inappropriate and distorts his record.  As such, it reflects negatively on the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Specifically, based upon the advertisements reviewed by the Standing Committee, we find that “JUSTPAC” has distorted the record and rulings of Justice Kilbride by characterizing him as allegedly soft on crime and criminals. Voters should become informed about the qualifications of Justice Kilbride. And while the decision regarding the retention of Justice Kilbride or any other judge rests with the voters, that decision should not be based on distortions regarding a judge’s record. Voters may learn more about Justice Kilbride and all other judicial candidates by visiting:  www.isba.org/judicialevaluations