Clay County is in the 5th Judicial District and 4th Circuit.
ISBA Judicial Evaluations: Ratings are the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association.
ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: Opinions expressed are of those lawyers who chose to respond and not of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Learn more about ISBA Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls
4th Circuit Judicial Advisory Polls
The 4th Circuit encompasses Christian, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Montgomery, and Shelby counties.
Vacancies
McHaney Vacancy
Dennis Roy Atteberry
Roberts Vacancy
Christopher B. Hantla
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Meets Requirements Of Office | 92.86 |
| Integrity | 97.50 |
| Impartiality | 92.68 |
| Legal Ability | 85.71 |
| Temperament | 97.62 |
| Court Management | 97.50 |
| Health | 100 |
| Sensitivity | 94.87 |
| Number of Respondents | 42 |
Bryant “Butch” Hitchings
Retention
Amanda S. Ade-Harlow
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Meets Requirements Of Office | 90.48 |
| Integrity | 91.18 |
| Impartiality | 87.30 |
| Legal Ability | 87.88 |
| Temperament | 89.39 |
| Court Management | 98.51 |
| Health | 95.52 |
| Sensitivity | 93.75 |
| Number of Respondents | 70 |
ISBA Judicial Evaluations: The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) utilizes a rigorous multi-step process to evaluate applicants for appellate and supreme court judge vacancies before making recommendations about them to the public. The process considers the candidate’s application, a comprehensive investigation including interviews with lawyers knowledgeable about the candidate, and a formal interview with the candidate. Finally, the full committee reviews and finalizes its ratings before making any recommendation. The ISBA’s evaluation process is designed to recommend candidates that will uphold the integrity and fairness of the judiciary. The ISBA is a statewide voluntary association of lawyers and legal professionals, and its recommendations represent solely the ISBA’s opinion.
ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The advisory poll is conducted electronically and by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election. Illinois licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any Illinois licensed attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys.