Cook County Judicial Evaluations

Hon. Joy Virginia Cunningham has been licensed in Illinois since 1982. In December 2022, she was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court upon the retirement of Justice Anne M. Burke. Prior to the appointment Justice Cunningham had served on the Appellate Court since 2006; prior to her election to the Appellate Court, she has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Northwestern Memorial System for six years. Justice Cunningham had also served as an associate judge in the Cook County Circuit Court between 1996 and 2000, where she presided over civil litigation. She is past president and a member of the Chicago Bar Association, including ISBA, Cook County Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association, Black Women Lawyer’s Association, and the Illinois Judges Association. Justice Cunningham has served on various Appellate Court and Supreme Court committees; has taught at judicial education conferences and written on various legal topics. She is the recipient of several awards, including most recently, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Judicial Achievement Award in 2023 for the Women’s Bar Association and Judge Ann Claire Williams Award in 2023 from the Black Women Lawyer’s Association.

Attorneys described her as well-respected, diligent, and fair, with excellent legal knowledge and ability. They reported that she asks relevant questions, has a calm demeanor, and is known for her good character and high integrity. ISBA finds Justice Joy Virginia Cunningham highly qualified for election to the Illinois Supreme Court – First District.

Hon. Mary Lane Mikva has been licensed in Illinois since 1980. After a legal career that included service as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk, a private practitioner, and as a City of Chicago attorney, she was elected to the circuit court in 2004. She has been assigned to the Appellate Court – First District since 2016 after serving in Chancery and Child Protection. She is a past board member of the Illinois Judges Association, a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and has been a speaker at judicial education conferences.

Attorneys reported that she has excellent legal knowledge and a great understanding of complex legal issues. She writes very well thought out opinions and is professional and respectful. ISBA finds Justice Mary Lane Mikva highly qualified to be elected as a Justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Hon. Cynthia Y. Cobbs was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. Prior to her appointment as a circuit court judge in 2011, she was the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts after holding other positions within the court system. She was subsequently elected to the circuit court in 2014 and has been assigned to the Appellate Court since 2015. She was retained as a circuit court judge in 2020. She is a former chair of the Illinois Judicial Council, committee chair and board member of the Illinois Judges Association, as well as being a member of various bar and legal organizations. Judge Cobbs has spoken at judicial conferences, received various awards, including the C.F. Stradford Award from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; the Trailblazer Award from the Cook County Bar Association; and the Illinois Judicial Council President’s Award.

Attorneys consider her to be smart, knowledgeable, patient, and hard working. They report that she issues fair and well-reasoned decisions. ISBA find Justice Cynthia Y. Cobbs highly qualified to be elected as a Justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Hon. Celia Louise Gamrath has been licensed in Illinois since 1994. After serving as a law clerk to the Appellate Court, she joined Schiller DuCanto and Fleck, rising to partner. In 2010 she was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. She has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2016 after previously serving in Domestic Relations. She is a past president of the Justinian Society, has been a board member of the Appellate Lawyers Association, the Illinois Judges Association, and secretary for the Chicago Bar Foundation. She is a former member of the Board of Governors, and the Assembly for the Illinois State Bar Association, is a past Vice President of the Board of Trustees for The John Marshall Law School, now known as the University of Illinois – Chicago Law School. Judge Gamrath has written on legal topics, teaches, and speaks at bar and law school events. She has received several awards, including the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award.

Attorneys praised her knowledge of the law, reporting that she gives fair hearings with well-reasoned and principled rulings. She is hard-working, impartial, and professional. ISBA finds Judge Celia Louise Gamrath highly qualified to be elected as Justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Hon. Carl Anthony Walker has been licensed in Illinois since 1992. After having his own practice, he was elected to the Circuit Court in 2006, retained in 2012 and 2018. Since 2018 he has sat on the Appellate Court by assignment; before that assignment he presided in the Law Division, Juvenile, Criminal, and Domestic Violence. He is a past president of the Illinois Judicial Council, past treasurer of the Cook County Bar Association, and has been on the board of the Illinois Judicial Association. He serves on several Supreme Court and Appellate Court committees and has been a speaker at judicial conferences.

Attorneys reported that he is well-prepared, research cases, is fair and maintains a steady composure. ISBA finds Judge Carl Anthony Walker highly qualified to be elected as Justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Mr. Pablo deCastro has been licensed since 1994. Since 2012 he has been a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense. From 1994-2000 he was an assistant public defender, and before opening his own practice he was in the private sector also focusing on criminal defense. He has substantial criminal jury trial experience and civil bench trials as well as federal experience. He teaches at the University of Chicago Law School Intensive Trial Practice program, is a member of several bar associations, and currently serves on the Panel Attorney Selection Committee for the Federal Defender’s Office Panel Attorney Program.

Respondents generally described him as being very smart and capable, a zealous advocate who knows the rules of evidence. He is known to be very committed to diversity, professional and calm. ISBA finds Pablo F. deCastro qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Corinne C. Heggie was appointed to fill the At-Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Vincent M. Gaughan. The appointment is effective June 20, 2023, and will conclude December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election. Ms. Heggie is currently a partner at Heggie Wochner Law Firm LLC and has over 20 years of civil litigation experience. Her affiliations include the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, where she served as President from 2019-2020, and the North Suburban Bar Association.

ISBA finds Judge Corinne C. Heggie qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Sarah Johnson was appointed to fill the At- Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Catherine Haberkorn on January 31, 2023. The appointment is effective April 24, 2023, and will conclude December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election. Ms. Johnson is a partner at Cunningham, Meyer & Verdine P.C., where she has worked since 2009 handling the defense of medical malpractice matters and products liability matters involving elements of medical malpractice. She has tried over 12 cases to verdict, from 2006 to 2009 she was an attorney at Parrillo, Weiss & O’Halloran where she tried over 40 cases to verdict.

Her professional associations include the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Chicago Bar Association, and the West Suburban Bar Association. ISBA finds Judge Sarah Johnson qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Deidre M. Dyer was appointed to fill the At- Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Arnette Hubbard on December 4, 2022. The appointment is effective April 28, 2023, and will conclude December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election. Ms. Dyer has served in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office 2009 where she is the Deputy Supervisor of Public Corruption, Financial Crimes, Money Laundering, and Consumer Fraud, as well as the Chair of the Benefit Fraud Committee. From 2006 to 2009 she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Ms. Dyer was Supervising Regional Counsel for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Office of Legal Services from 2001 to 2006 and from 1999 to 2001 was an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Her professional associations include the Cook County Bar Association and the South Suburban Bar Association. ISBA finds Judge Dyer qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Arlene Y. Coleman-Romeo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. She was appointed to the circuit court in September 2022 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District. Prior to her appointment, she had been a sole practitioner focusing on probate, estate planning, real estate, employment law, and civil litigation. She is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association, after serving on the Board and in other offices, and has been a committee member for the Illinois State Bar Association; she has also been published.

Attorneys described her as a reliable litigator who was qualified to handle complex legal and evidentiary issues, who is also calm, thoughtful and a hard worker. ISBA finds Judge Arlene Y. Coleman-Romeo qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Neil Cohen has been licensed in Illinois since 1976. After a career as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, he was selected as an associate judge in 2009. In September 2022 he was appointed to the circuit court. He has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2011; previous assignments include the Traffic Division and the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). He serves on several Illinois Supreme Court Committees, including the Illinois Judicial College, and is president of the Jewish Judges Association. He is a member of various bar associations and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Decalogue Society in 2022.

Attorneys all praised his legal knowledge, pointing out that he handles a variety of complex issues in Chancery. While a few acknowledged that he could be impatient at times, all praised his impartiality, integrity, and diligence. ISBA finds Judge Neil Cohen qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Edward Joseph Underhill was appointed to fill the At-Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Timothy P. Murphy effective December 5, 2022. The appointment was effective June 8th, 2023, and will continue through December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election. Mr. Underhill was a senior partner and chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group at Masuda, Funai & Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd., where he had worked for parts of five decades since 1984. In this role he represented clients in complex and basic commercial litigation, commercial transactions, and Article 9 (“UCC”) disputes and served as lead-counsel in federal and state court proceedings, among other duties. He had also served in the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Judge Underhill is praised for his professional and courteous judicial temperament. He is reported to rule in a fair, impartial and unbiased manner. ISBA finds Judge Edward Joseph Underhill qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Debjani Desai was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008 and recently appointed to fill the At- Large vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Lorna E. Propes. The appointment is effective July 14, 2023, and will conclude December 2, 2024, following the November 2024 general election.
Judge Desai had served since 2020 as General Counsel for the Illinois Office of Comptroller where she was the Chief Legal Officer leading a team of attorneys in Chicago and Springfield to provide legal and subject matter expertise on legislation, finance, operations, compliance, labor, and employment. She had also served since 2020 as a Special Prosecutor for Cook County in contested Juvenile Court proceedings and as an Adjunct Professor of Counseling & Negotiations at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. From 2008 to 2014 she was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County.

Attorneys reported that she has good legal ability, is knowledgeable and had successfully learned a variety of areas of law during her career. She is reported to have a good temperament and is professional and respectful. ISBA finds Judge Debjani Desai qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Jennifer Patricia Callahan was licensed in 2006. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in February 2024 and currently sits in Traffic Court. Prior to her appointment, she had been a solo practitioner handling criminal defense and transactional matters, and also serving as an Administrative Law Judge. From 2006 until 2017 she was an assistant state’s attorney. She is a past president of the Hellenic Bar Association and a member of various other bar groups.

She is considered by attorneys to be prepared, punctual, and knowledgeable with high integrity. Attorneys particularly stated that while assigned to the Alternative Prosecutions Unit she did a good job and was sensitive to the situation that arose in diversion courts. ISBA finds Judge Jennifer Patricia Callahan qualified to be elected as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. James S. Murphy-Aguilú has been licensed in Illinois since 2006. He was appointed to the circuit court in July 2023 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. At the time of his appointment, he was the Chief of Staff for the Clerk for the Circuit Court of Cook County, after first holding a position as Inspector General. He had also services as a Deputy Chief Administrator for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, as a private practitioner focusing on criminal defense and civil rights matters, and as an assistant state’s attorney. He is a member of various bar associations and a committee member for the Illinois State Bar Association.

Attorneys reported that he has excellent legal knowledge and ability, is sensitive to diversity and has high integrity. ISBA finds Judge James S. Murphy-Aguilú qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Chloe Pedersen has been licensed since 2007. She was appointed to the circuit court in February 2024 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she was an equity partner at Fletcher & Sippel, after joining them as an associate in 2014, where she led the labor and employment practice group. Prior to joining her current firm, she spent two years as Chief Legal and Labor counsel to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and worked as an assistant attorney general in the Government Representation Division – General Law Bureau. In 2009 she was a contract attorney as Assistant General Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. From 2007 to 2010 she was an associate attorney with Querrey & Harrow with civil and government litigation practice. She has been active on committees with several bar associations and is currently a member of the Board of the Women’s Bar Association and ISBA Board of Governors. She is a past commissioner for the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission and is currently a member of the Riverside Community Caucus.

She has litigation experience in state and federal courts. Attorneys report that she has excellent legal knowledge and is a thorough researcher. She received favorable comments regarding sensitivity to issues of diversity and bias with good judicial temperament. ISBA finds Judge Chloe Georgianna Pedersen qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Lucester “Lucy” Vazquez-Gonzalez has been licensed since 2009. After working with several law firms in the area of family law; since 2017 she has had her own practice, focusing on family law and immigration. She is an appointed Guardian Ad Litem in Cook, Will and DuPage counties and has been an Administrative Law Judge since 2020 hearing building code violations. She is the Secretary of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, a member of various other bar associations, and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois – Chicago School of Law, formerly known as The John Marshall Law School.

Most, but not all, attorneys contacted during the investigation reported that she has an excellent handle on family law; some disagreed, stating that she did not have a good grasp of the law, and that her cases were not complex legally. There were no concerns over sensitivity to diversity, fairness, or demeanor. She has no jury trial experience and limited bench trials, especially in recent years. ISBA finds Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez not qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Patrick Heery was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. He is currently Senior Labor Council for Cook County where he supervises attorneys and handles labor and employment matters, including arbitrations and collective bargaining agreements. He has served in that position since 2017 after previously holding positions as an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Labor Relations Board and as a Judge Advocate with the United States Marine Corps, where he both prosecuted and defended service embers charged with crimes and served as a legal advisor. He is a mentor for Cook County Veterans Court, a committee member for the Chicago Bar Association, and a member of other bars. He has also been a speaker.
Attorneys called him well-versed in labor law and civil procedure, as well as professional. He does have criminal trial experience from his service time.

There were concerns raised, however, over his temperament, with some reports of treating people poorly at times. ISBA finds Pat Heery not qualified to be elected to the Cook County Circuit Court.

Mr. Michael M. Chvatal has been licensed to practice law since 2005. He worked as ASA for Cook County from 2006 – 2009. After that he was an associate attorney for Law Office of Ferdinand Serpe from 2009 until 2015. At that time the candidate went into private practice and has remained since. He has worked in both prosecution and as a defense attorney privately as well as handling real estate matters. He also holds part time positions with the Village of Hillsdale (2015) and Forest Park (2023) as an Administrative Hearing Officer. The candidate belongs to 3 bar associations (West Suburban; ISBA; and Cook County Bar). The candidate participates in some community activities as a coach.

ISBA finds Michael Chvatal qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Phillip J. Fowler was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. He was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy in May 2023 and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Before his appointment, Mr. Fowler had over thirty-five years of litigation practice and was an associate attorney with Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg. His entire career was in private law firms handling a diverse range of civil litigation including personal injury, civil rights, commercial cases and the area of legal ethics, a frequent lecturer. Judge Fowler sat on the boards of the Foundation Board of Special Olympics of Illinois, the International Organization of Adolescents (which combats the human trafficking of teens throughout the world), and the Catholic Lawyer’s Guild.

Attorneys uniformly gave high praises for his legal abilities and temperament. ISBA finds Judge Philip Fowler qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Koula A. Fournier who was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000 was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy in February 2024 and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to the appointment, she was an Assistant State’s Attorney since 2000 serving in the Conviction Integrity Unit, Criminal Appeals Unit, Sex Crimes Felony Review, Felony Trial Division. She is a past member of the Hellenic Bar Association, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, the Women’s Bar Association, and the Illinois Prosecutor’s Bar Association.

Attorneys praised her legal knowledge and abilities, highlighting her experience with complex matters. In addition, they gave positive comments on her diligence, impartiality, and temperament. ISBA finds Judge Koula Fournier qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Yolanda Harris Sayre was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. She was appointed February 2024 to fill a judicial vacancy and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to the appointment, she served as legal counsel for the Illinois State Police from 2012 to 2021 where she practiced litigation, administrative law, employment, criminal, and civil rights law. She spent over 20 years as an attorney for the Chicago Police Department. From 1997 to 2012 she was employed by the Chicago Police Department as a trainer of Community Policing and Diversity and as an attorney assigned to the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform. She is an executive board member of the Illinois Association of Administrative Law Judges, is a member of several bar associations, and has served on committees, been a speaker on legal topics, and done some pro bono work.

Attorneys consider her to be impartial with an excellent temperament and good legal knowledge. The committee finds Judge Yolanda Harris Sayre qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Owens Shelby has been licensed since 2007. In May 2023, he was appointed to the Circuit Court, after a previous career spent mainly as an assistant state’s attorney. He also spent a short time as Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House. He is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. As a prosecutor he worked in the Fourth District (Maywood) and in the Community Justice Center – West. He has been on the Boards of various community groups and also the National Black Prosecutors – Chicago Chapter, where he served as Treasurer. He has criminal jury and bench trial experience.

Attorneys generally reported that he has a solid legal knowledge and ability and knows how to apply the law to the facts. He is considered to be respectful of all with a solid character. ISBA finds Judge Owens Shelby qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Loveleen Ahuja who was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy in February 2024 and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to the appointment, she worked in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office since 2005 and was a homicide attorney since 2019 representing indigent defendants charged with murder. She previously served in the Felony Trial, Domestic Violence, First Municipal, and Child Protection Divisions and has litigated hundreds of juries, bench trials and motions. She is a member of the South Asian Bar Association, the Asian American Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association.

Attorneys and judges contacted gave high praise for her legal knowledge and abilities, and consistently described her as someone who has the ability to meet people where they are, trustworthy, and even keeled. ISBA finds Judge Loveleen Ahuja qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Caroline Glennon-Goodman who was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996 was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy in February 2024 and presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to the appointment she worked in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office - seventeen years as a homicide attorney in Skokie and Rolling Meadows. She also had assignments in Felony Trial and Juvenile Delinquency. She is a member of the North Suburban Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.

Attorneys uniformly considered her legal knowledge and experience to be first-rate. She is described as being even keeled, professional, and diligent. ISBA finds Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. James V. Murphy II has been licensed since 1997. He was a career prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney office until resigning in 2022 to join Grace and Thompson, handling criminal defense, administrative law, and some civil law. As a prosecutor he served in several supervisory positions, most recently as supervisor of Preliminary Hearings, Central Bond Court, Grand Jury, and Branch 66 Homicide/Sex Units. He has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience. He has been a presenter on legal issues and a past member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for the Chicago Bar Association.
Attorneys and judges gave all positive comments about his legal knowledge and ability, stating that he is always prepared and knows the law, and is an excellent attorney. They reported that he is respectful, fair and even-tempered.

Mr. Murphy is considered to have good legal ability with an extensive litigation experience as a prosecutor. ISBA finds James V. Murphy qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Audrey Cosgrove was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. She is currently the Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board; prior to that appointment in February 2024, she had been the Deputy General Counsel for the Illinois Lottery since 2019. She had also served as deputy chief legal counsel for the Illinois Department of Labor, as an assistant public defender, and as a private practitioner handling criminal defense, juvenile, real estate, traffic, and family law matters while serving as an administrative law judge. She is a past president of the Advocates Society and the Pulaski-Elston Business Association and is a member of various bar associations. She has criminal jury trial experience including in complex matters.
Attorneys related that she has fine legal knowledge, is a good resource, is impartial and a hard worker.

Attorneys report that she is very knowledgeable, a good litigator, has experience in various areas of law, and is both diligent and ethical. She has both jury and bench trial experience. ISBA finds Audrey Cosgrove qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Dawn Gonzalez was admitted to the Illinois bar 1994. Effective February 2, 2024, she was appointed to the Circuit Court and currently sits in the Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she had been a partner at Stone and Johnson Chartered since 2018, focusing on tort defense and insurance coverage cases. Prior to that, she had been employed at a number of other firms and also with Continental Casualty Company, CNA Insurance, handling litigation for them. She has civil bench trial and quasi-trial experience. She is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association, a section and committee member of the American Bar Association, and a Board Member of the Illinois Judges Foundation, and has been involved with various community organizations in the Oak Park area and has been a speaker on legal issues.

Attorneys commented on her solid trial experience and gave high marks for her legal knowledge and ability. They also reported on her respect for diversity, her high integrity and her even temperament. ISBA finds Judge Dawn Gonzalez qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Alon Stein has been licensed since 2002. Since 2013 he has been the owner of Stein Law Offices focusing on commercial litigation and representation of small to mid-sized businesses. Prior to that, he worked for Kamensky Rubinstein Hochman & Delott, again handing mostly commercial litigation for healthcare practices. He has litigated in federal court as well as neighboring counties and Wisconsin and has served as arbitrator for Cook County. He has written and spoken on legal topics, is a current officer of the Advocates Society, an Assembly Member to the Illinois State Bar Association, and on the Board of Managers for the Decalogue Society.

Attorneys gave positive feedback on his legal knowledge and litigation ability, stating that he has a high degree of knowledge and is a great advocate. He is courteous and respectful to all, with high integrity and diligence. ISBA finds Alon Stein qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Maria McCarthy has been licensed since 1989. Since March 2022, she has been a partner in the firm of McCarthy & Valentini, where her current focus is her appointment as Special Prosecutor and Assistant Special Prosecutor on some criminal post-trial cases pending in Will County. Prior to that, she had been a career prosecutor in Cook County where she rose to be Supervisor of the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) until 2019, when she left, and subsequently became First Assistant at the Winnebago County State’s Attorney office. She has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience. She has been a speaker and panelist on legal issues and an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Northwestern University School of Law and the John Marshall Law School, now known as the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. She is a member of various bar associations and was the Receipt of the Scales of Justice Award in 2019 from the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

She is considered to have good ability and knowledge of the law by the attorneys contacted during the investigation, with a good temperament and character. ISBA finds Maria McCarthy qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Frank J. Andreou has been licensed in Illinois since 1995. In December 2019 he was selected as an associate judge first sitting in the Traffic Division and the Second Municipal District (Skokie). Since July 2023 he has been assigned to the Law Division – Motion Section. Prior to his ascension to the bench, he had been in private practice both on his own and with a firm, with substantial jury, bench, and appellate experience. He is a board member for the Illinois Judges Association and the North Suburban Bar Association, and Second Vice President of the Hellenic Bar Association, as well as being a member of other bar associations. He has also served on the District 27 School Board.

Attorneys highly praised his legal knowledge and ability, stating that his rulings were well-reasoned and describing his grasp of fact and law as amazing. Additionally, they were all positive about his integrity, temperament, and diligence. ISBA finds Judge Frank J. Andreou highly qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Pamela Curran Smith has been licensed in Illinois since 2006. Since then, she has been employed, and is now a partner, at the Law Offices of Sam Amirante and Associates, with a focus on criminal defense, tort and civil litigation. She has limited criminal jury trial experience and substantial criminal bench trial experience, including in complex matters. She is a member of various bar associations and serves as a committee chair with the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Attorneys reported that she possesses a thorough understanding of the legal process and is always ready and prepared, also that she treats all with respect, is professional and has high integrity. ISBA finds Pamela Curran Smith qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. James Costello has been licensed since 2007. He is a career prosecutor currently assigned to the Public Corruption/Financial Crimes Unit; before his assignment there in 2019, he worked in the Felony Trial Division, Misdemeanor/Traffic, and Appeals. He has been a speaker and guest lecturer at both law schools and high schools and coached mock trial teams. He is a board Member of the Arlington Heights Historical Society.

Mr. Costello has substantial jury and bench trial experience in criminal matters, including in complex cases. Attorneys praised his legal skills and ability, and analytical skills. He is reported to be high integrity, even keeled and fair. ISBA finds James Costello qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Matthew Taylor has been licensed in Illinois since 2004. While he has always been a sole practitioner, focusing on misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, estate and probate matters, and real estate matters, he was a full-time Palatine police officer until he retired from the department in 2017. He is currently the village prosecutor for Palatine and continues to teach at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. He has bench trial experience, mainly in municipal and misdemeanor matters, but no jury trials. He is a member of various bar associations and has been a coach for the York High School mock trial team, as well as being involved in other community and charitable activities.

Attorneys did report that he has good knowledge of the law and is considered to be sensitive to diversity with high character and integrity. Though concerns were raised over the depth and breadth of his entire legal experience, he is well respected by the judiciary, his peers and his opponents and is known for his handle situations with grace an decency. ISBA finds Matthew Taylor qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Ralph E. Meczyk was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1977. He was appointed to a judicial vacancy in February 2024 and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. He is the founder of Ralph E. Meczyk & Associations; he has tried more than one hundred thirty jury trials and four hundred bench trials to verdict in state and federal district courts. Having spent the majority of his career as a criminal defense attorney, he represented a wide range of clients and treated them all with respect and was a zealous advocate.

Attorneys highly regard his legal knowledge and ability, relating that he has handled very complex matters regularly. He described as professional and very well prepared. ISBA finds Judge Ralph Meczyk highly qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Mary Sevandal Cohen was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. She was appointed to judicial vacancy in February 2024 and is presently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to the appointment, she served as in-house legal counsel and Senior Staff Attorney for PACE since 2008. She previously served as an assistant state’s attorney in the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office and began her career interning at the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago. She is a member of several bar associations and is active with her church.

Attorneys and judges contacted during the investigation praised her legal knowledge and ability, including in complex matters, and described her as respectful to all and professional with high integrity. ISBA finds Judge Mary Sevandal Cohen qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Griselda Vega Samuel has been licensed in Illinois since 2008, having previously been licensed in the state of Washington in 2001. Since March 2018, she has served as Regional Counsel, Midwest, at MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund). Although she is currently on a leave of absence due to her judicial campaign, she manages the litigation docket for several midwestern states, including class actions and impact litigation in federal court. Before taking that position, she worked for a variety of non-profits and legal service organizations focusing on civil and human rights, where she supervised programs and advocated before Congress, various government agencies, and in the media. She has written and spoken on civil rights and human rights issues. She has received several awards, including most recently the Chicago Bar Association’s Vanguard Award in 2022 and the Hispanic Lawyers Association Latina Lawyer of the Year award in 2019. In addition, she has chaired committees for the American Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association. She has handled matters in both state and federal court.

The Investigation revealed that she is well-respected in the legal and social justice communities, citing especially her legal writing experience, which includes the drafting of legal and litigation manuals in both English and Spanish. She is considered to have excellent legal knowledge and ability and is praised for her sensitivity to diversity and her community involvement. ISBA finds Griselda Vega Samuel qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Stephanie Kathryn Miller has been licensed since 1999. She was selected as an associate judge in 2018, and is currently assigned to the Probate Division, Adult Guardianship Estates. She has also served in First Municipal, Traffic, and Bond Court. Prior to her appointment, she had been an assistant state’s attorney for sixteen years, where she worked in various divisions and litigated both jury and bench trials and had been appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2017, but was unsuccessful in the 2018 primary. She has been a board member for the Illinois Judges Association, and the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, and a committee member for the Hispanic Lawyers Association.

Attorneys were uniformly positive in their comments about her legal knowledge and ability and her understanding of Probate Court; She is described as being diligent, respectful, and fair. She has taken on several projects to better the court system including assistance with bond reform, streamlining the handling of special immigration juvenile status, and creating protocol for orders of protection in Probate Court. ISBA finds Judge Stephanie Miller qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Luciano Panici, Jr., has been licensed since 2009. Since that time, he has been an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Dennis Gianopolos, focusing on municipal law, criminal, DUI and traffic defense, election law and other general law as well. He is also an administrative hearing officer for five south suburban municipalities, and the part-time village prosecutor for Steger and Merrionette Park. He has no jury trial experience as lead counsel, one as assisting; he does have bench and quasi-trial experience. He is a Board member and former Vice President of the South Suburban Bar Association and a member of other bar groups and is a Township Trustee for Bloom Township.

Though concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his legal experience, attorneys described him as having good legal knowledge and ability, with good temperament, impartiality and integrity. ISBA finds Luciano Panici, Jr. qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. John A. Fairman was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004 and to Indiana in 2013. He was selected as an associate judge in 2019, and currently hears a variety of cases in the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview). Prior to joining the bench, he had been in private practice focusing on civil and criminal matters. He was also a prosecutor early in his career. He has been a speaker on legal topics and is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association and the National Black Prosecutors Association – Chicago Chapter, in addition to serving on various boards and committees. In 2023 he received the Kenneth Wilson Award from the Cook County Bar Association and the Service Recognition Award from the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Attorneys related that he issues thoughtful and well-reasoned rulings, treats people well, and is respectful and professional. He reportedly is always on time and handles situations effective with the appropriate temperament. ISBA finds Judge John A. Fairman highly qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Pedro Fregoso declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Fregoso is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Cecilia Abundis declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Abundis is found not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Rivanda Doss Beal has been licensed since 1994. She was a career prosecutor who held several supervisory positions with the Cook County State’s Attorney until 2021, including as Supervisor of Grand Jury for the 6th District; Supervisor of Branch 42; and Deputy Supervisor for Special Litigation. In 2021 she opened her own practice, where she focuses on real estate closings, criminal defense, and consumer debt cases, while also serving as a panel attorney for the Office of the State Appellate Defender for appellate cases arising under the Pretrial Fairness Act. She has criminal bench and jury trial experience and has handled appeals. She is a member of various bar associations and community groups.

Attorneys contacted during the investigation stated that she is very intelligent, had a great deal of knowledge about the law, and was fair and professional. She was described as being professional and fair. ISBA finds Judge Rivanda Doss Beal qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Lloyd James Brooks has been licensed since 2000. He was selected as an Associate judge in December 2021; prior to that, he had been appointed as a Circuit Judge in December 2018; that term ended in December 2020. Joining the bench, he had been in private practice with several firms, as well as his own firm, the Brooks Law Firm, until co-founding the Consumer Legal Group, PC, where he focused on consumer protection and mortgage defense. He currently sits in the Chancery Division Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section, after previous assignments in Domestic Relations and First Municipal. He has been a committee member for the Illinois Judges Association and the Appellate Lawyers Association and has spoken on legal topics.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and ability, sensitivity to diversity, character, and diligence. ISBA finds Associate Judge LIoyd James Brooks highly qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Jeffrey G. Chrones has been licensed since 1993. Prior to his selection as an Associate Judge in 2018, he was a partner at Johnson and Bell, where he focused on commercial litigation. He is currently assigned to the Second District (Skokie) where he presides over a variety of calls including misdemeanors, Domestic Violence, and civil matters. He has been in that assignment since November 2021, after first sitting in First Municipal. In 2018 he received an award from the Diversity Scholarship Foundation at its Judicial Recognition Reception. He is a past president and director of the Hellenic Bar Association and is Secretary of the Themis Hellenic Judges Association. He also helped start a virtual help desk for small claims litigants with the North Suburban Bar Association.

Attorneys praised his knowledge of the law and his courtroom demeanor. He is considered fair, prepared, hard-working and respectful to all. ISBA finds Associate Judge Jeffery G. Chrones qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. John Hock was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009 and was admitted to practice in Florida in 2007. He was employed with a civil litigation firm in Florida until 2009, when he obtained his Illinois license and started with the Will County Public Defender. After working for Cremer Law focusing on commercial and international litigation for two years, he spent nine years with the Lake County Public Defender. Since 2022 he has been an assistant state’s attorney with Cook County, focusing on post-conviction matters in the Special Litigation Unit. He has been a presenter on legal topics and a committee member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Attorneys consider him to be an expert in his field of prisoner petitions. He handles all cases without bias, follows the law, and is diligent in his work. ISBA finds John Hock qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Lynn Terese Palac has been licensed since 1999. After spending ten years as an Assistant State’s Attorney, she worked with several firms focusing on criminal, traffic and family law, before opening her own practice in 2015. She is also a Supervising Attorney for Catholic Charities Legal Assistance, where she trains other attorneys and represents clients of Catholic Charities, mostly in the domestic violence area. She is a member of several bar associations and has been Chair of the Northwest Suburban Bar Criminal Law Committee.

While attorneys considered her to be fair, punctual and a hard worker, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her litigation experience since leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office in 2009. ISBA finds Lynn T. Palac not qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County

Ms. Bridget Colleen Duignan has been licensed since 2004. Since 2007 she has been owner and managing partner at Lathertow and Duignan, focusing on personal injury and malpractice litigation. After working briefly as Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and with a law firm handling worker’s compensation matters. She has civil jury, bench, and quasi-criminal experience. She is currently the president-elect (to be president in 2025) of the Illinois State Bar Association, where she has also chaired sections and committees. She is on the Boards of the Illinois State Bar Foundation and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and chairs a committee for the Women’s Bar Association. She has lectured and written on legal topics, and has been the recipient of several awards, including the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Award (2020) and the Illinois Trial Lawyers President’s Award (2014).

Attorneys, opposing counsel and judges praised her legal knowledge and experience, professionalism, and her trial skills. She was described as being a person of strong integrity, hardworking, diligent, and effective. ISBA finds Bridget Colleen Duignan qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ms. Nadine Jean Wichern has been licensed since 2000. She is currently the Chief of the Appeals Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois, a position she has held since 2015. In total she has been with the Civil Appeals Division from 2011 to 2015, also 2001 to 2006; prior to this, she had been in the Appeals Division of the City of Chicago Department of Law from 2006 to 2011. She has no jury or bench trail experience; she has appeared before various appellate courts as well as the Illinois and United States Supreme courts. She has taught legal writing at local law schools and presented and written on legal topics. She also sits on committees for the Women’s Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association and is a Director for the Appellate Lawyers Association. In 2023 she received a Women in Law Award from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer magazine.

Attorneys consider her to be an accomplished appellate lawyer who is an excellent writer and advises trial attorneys in her office. She is sensitive to diversity, and it is report that she has an excellent temperament and character. ISBA finds Ms. Nadine Jean Wichern qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Hon. Thomas E. Hoffman was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1971. After being selected an associate judge in 1984 and elected to the circuit court in 1988, he was assigned to serve in the appellate court in 1993 and subsequently elected to the Appellate Court – First District in 1994. He was retained in 2004 and 2014. He also sits in the Workers Compensation Division of the Appellate Court. He has lectured on legal topics, is a member of various bar associations, and received The John Marshall Law School’s (now UIC Law School) Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988.

Attorneys universally described him as smart, and very well-prepared, with vast experience. His temperament was described as tough but fair, in general, though at times it can border on gruff. There were some differing opinions expressed about his tenure on the Workers Compensation Division, with some concerns raised about at time appearing to have his mind made up before hearing the case and overruling settled law and factual determinations. All described him as hard-working and diligent, with no issues regarding sensitivity to diversity. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Justice Thomas E. Hoffman qualified for retention to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. David W. Ellis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. He was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District in 2014. He is currently the Chair of the First District Appellate Court Executive Committee. Prior to his election, he had been chief counsel to the Speaker of the State of Illinois and in private practice focusing on commercial litigation and constitutional law. He sits on several Illinois Supreme Court task forces and committees; has taught legal writing to judges and attorneys; and has published eleven novels.

Attorneys praised his extensive experience and legal knowledge, stating that he is thoughtful and impartial in his rulings, with a pleasant and likeable demeanor. His is conscious of and sensitive to diversity and bias. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Justice David W. Ellis qualified for retention to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kathy M. Flanagan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1979. She was elected to the circuit court in 1988 and has been retained five times since. In November of 2023 she was named Acting Presiding Judge of the Law Division. She has been assigned to the Law Division – Motions Section since 1992 and in 2011 was named a supervising judge in that section. Prior to her election she had been in private practice. She has been a panelist on legal matters and has spoken to law students.

Attorneys complimented her legal knowledge and ability, and described her as impartial, diligent and punctual. A majority, however, raised concerns about her temperament and demeanor, stating they had seen her act unprofessionally, impatiently and temperamentally. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Kathy M. Flanagan not qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Stuart F. Lubin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1974. He was appointed to the circuit court in 1992, elected in 1994 and retained four times since then. Prior to his judicial service, he was a career assistant public defender and was the Acting Presiding Judge from January 2023 through May 2023. He has been assigned to Juvenile Justice for virtually his entire judicial career. He is a member of various bar and judicial organizations.

Attorneys consider him to be very knowledgeable with a firm grasp of the law. He is sensitive the nature of juvenile court proceedings and is highly regarded for his sense of propriety and fairness. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Stuart F. Lubin qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Martin S. Agran was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1972. He was elected to the circuit court in 1994 and has been retained four times since. He was in private practice and had been a prosecutor prior to his election. He is currently assigned to the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) where he hears civil matters and acts as Acting Presiding Judge in the absence of the current presiding judge. He also served in Chancery, Law and Juvenile Justice. He is a member of various bar associations and has been a speaker, is a chair of an Illinois Judicial Bench Book and is a former village trustee for Arlington Heights.

Attorneys praised his knowledge of the law, graciousness, fairness, and diligence; he was described as having a great handle on evidence. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Martin S. Agran qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Robert F. Bartkowicz was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1965. He was chosen as an associate judge in 1985, appointed to the circuit court in 1997, elected in 2000, and retained three times since. He has been siting in the Law Division – Jury Section for many years and previously handled the Commercial Calendar. In 2019 he was honored for his service jointly by the Advocates Society and the Illinois Defense Counsel.

Attorneys praised his extensive experience, knowledge and hard work. He was described as having a very good demeanor and always being prepared. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Robert F Bartkowicz qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1977. He was both appointed and elected to the circuit court in 1994 and has been retained four times. Prior to his assignment, he had been in private practice. Since 2003 he has served as the Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District in charge of both civil and criminal courtrooms. Prior to this assignment he had served in Probate and First Municipal. He has been a speaker on legal topics to community groups, the Illinois Judges Association and other bar groups; he has also written for the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. He is a past president of the Chicago Bar Association and has continued to be a committee member. He has been a Board of Governors and Assembly member for the Illinois State Bar Association, and a committee chair for the Illinois Judges Association. In addition, he sits on Supreme Court committees and is an editorial board member for the CBA Record and is a past president for the Center for Conflict Resolution.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and ability, especially given the demands of his administrative duties. He is a patient demeanor, is diligent and fair. The Committee has concerns regarding his level of candor concerning the recently identified residency and property tax homestead issues. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. not qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. James M. Varga was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1978. He was elected to the circuit court in 1994 and retained four times since. He has been assigned to the Law Division – Jury since 2002. Prior to his election, he had been an assistant state’s attorney and a private practitioner. He has both taught and written on legal issues.

Attorneys uniformly praised his legal knowledge and praised his ability to handle complex cases. He reads everything, is prepared, organized, and respectful of jurors’ time. While the majority praised him as being even-handed with good temperament, there had been some complaints in the past on that issue; however, those dated back several years, and attorneys reported during the investigation that he had improved. He demands that attorneys be prepared and professional. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge James M. Varga qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Mary Margaret Brosnahan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was elected to the circuit in 200 and retained three times since. She had been a prosecutor prior to her election. After first being assigned as a floater, since 2006 she has presided over a felony courtroom in the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse where she is currently also a Supervising Judge. Prior assignments were in the First Municipal District. She has been a speaker at New Judges School and has lectured at DePaul Law School. She is a member of the Illinois Judges Association and other community groups.

Attorneys gave overall positive comments on legal knowledge and ability, and related that she does significant research and expects attorneys to be prepared. Even those who considered her a little ‘state leaning’ reiterated their confidence in her ability to be impartial. She is considered to be firm and fair and maintains respectful control of her courtroom. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Mary Margaret Brosnahan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Maura Slattery Boyle was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. She was elected to the circuit court in 2000 and retained three times since. Prior to her election she was a prosecutor and a City attorney. Since 2018 she has been assigned to the Law Division – Jury Trial Section; prior to that assignment she sat in the Criminal Division and the First Municipal District. She is a member of various bar associations and community groups and has been a panelist speaking on legal issues.

Attorneys described her as fair, sensitive to diversity and bias, impartial, punctual, and diligent. A few attorneys rated her legal knowledge as adequate; most described it as being very good to extensive. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Maura Slattery Boyle qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Carl Anthony Walker was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. After having his own practice, he was elected to the circuit court in 2006, retained in 2012 and 2018. Since 2018 he has sat on the Appellate Court by assignment; before that assignment he presided in the Law, Juvenile, Criminal, and Domestic Violence divisions.

He is a past president of the Illinois Judicial Council, past treasurer of the Cook County Bar Association, and has been on the board of the Illinois Judicial Association. He serves on several Supreme Court and Appellate Court committees and has been a speaker at judicial conferences.

Attorneys reported that he is well-prepared, researches cases, is fair and maintains a steady composure. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Carl Anthony Walker qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Daniel Patrick Brennan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. He was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to his election he had been Chief Counsel for the Cook County Sheriff. Since 2018 he has been assigned to the Chancery Division – Mortgage Foreclosure Section. Prior to this he had been assigned to the Sixth Municipal District (Markham) and the First Municipal District. He has spoken and lectured for the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Attorneys described him as very knowledgeable, sensitive to making court accessible to pro se litigants, patient, and good with civil procedure. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Daniel Patrick Brennan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Ellen L. Flannigan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. She was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained twice since then. Prior to her election, she had been with several law firms focusing on professional liability, insurance and commercial matters. She is currently assigned to Domestic Relations with prior assignments in Traffic and Parentage. She has been a speaker to fellow judges and law students.

Attorneys consider her to be extremely competent with exceptional legal knowledge and abilities. She is a quick study, patient, fair, and respectful. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Ellen L. Flannigan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Carol A. Howard was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant public defender. She is assigned to the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse presiding over a felony courtroom, after prior assignments in the First Municipal District. She is on the faculty for judicial election seminars and is a past president of the Illinois Judicial Council.

Attorneys praised her legal knowledge, fairness, preparedness, and calm demeanor, described her as respectful and meticulous. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Carol A. Howard qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Jill Cerone-Marisie was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. She was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained twice since then. Prior to her election she had been a private practitioner handling litigation matters and a prosecutor. Since 2017 she has been the Presiding Judge of the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) where she also presides over the Mental health and Veterans Court. She sits on Supreme Court committees, has taught new judges, and has served as Treasurer of the Justinian Society. She has received numerous awards from various bar and other groups including the Excellence in Public Service Award in 2018 and the Presidential Bench-Bar Award from the Northwest Suburban Bar Association in 2018.

Attorneys praise her legal knowledge and ability, her fairness, and her thoroughness and respectfulness. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Jill C. Marisie qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Mike McHale was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. He was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to his election he had been a career prosecutor. He has been assigned to the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse since 2010 and has presided over a felony trial call since 2013. He is a member of various bar associations and judicial organizations and is a Charter Member of the Alliance of Illinois Judges.

Attorneys described him as a fair, diligent and punctual judge who runs a tight ship. There were some concerns that he favors the prosecution side. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Mike McHale qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. James Patrick Murphy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. He was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to his election he had been a prosecutor. He has been assigned to the Probate Division – Decedent’s Estate since 2018; prior assignments include Domestic Violence and Traffic. He has been a speaker at judicial education conferences.

Attorneys reported that he is very knowledgeable and knows the rules of evidence and rules in the area of probate law. He is even-tempered, tolerant and impartial. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge James Patrick Murphy qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Ramon Ocasio III was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. He was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to his election he had been an assistant public defender and an assistant attorney general. Since August of 2023 he has been assigned to the Illinois Appellate court; prior to this assignment he had been the Presiding Judge in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). He is a past president of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and the Illinois LatinX Judges Association and sits on Supreme Court committees. He has received a number of awards, including the Community Service Award from the Illinois State Bar Association, the Vanguard Award from the Chicago Bar Association in 2016, the Judicial Excellence Award from the West Suburban Bar Association in 2019, and the Catholic Lawyer of the Year Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild in 2021.

Attorneys praised his solid command of the law and reported that he issues fair, reasoned and well-written rulings. He is known for his diligence and his good temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Ramon Ocasio III qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She was elected to the circuit court in 2006 and retained in 2012 and 2018. Prior to her election she had a varied career as a prosecutor, a City of Chicago attorney and a hearing officer. She has served in the Law Division since 2019 where she currently presides in the Commercial Section, after previous assignments in the Motions Section and Tax and Miscellaneous Section. She has also served in the First Municipal District, Juvenile Justice and the Criminal Division in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). She has been involved in teaching and mentoring new judges and is the current president of the Illinois Judges Association. In addition, she is the founding member of the Alliance of Illinois Judges and is on committees for other bar associations.

Attorneys reported that she has good legal knowledge and ability and is sensitive to implicit bias and to pro se litigants. She is well-respected for her impartiality, diligence and preparation. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Mary Colleen Roberts qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Celia Louise Gamrath was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. After serving as a law clerk to the appellate court from 1994 to 1997, she joined Schiller, DuCanto and Fleck, rising to partner. In 2010 she was appointed to the circuit court, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. She has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2016 after previously serving in Domestic Relations. She is a past president of the Justinian Society, has been a board member of the Appellate Lawyers Association, the Illinois Judges Association, ad secretary for the Chicago Bar Foundation. She is a former member of the Board of Governors and the Assembly for the Illinois State Bar Association, is a past Vice President of the Board of Trustees for The John Marshall Law School, now known as the University of Illinois – Chicago Law School. Judge Gamrath has written on legal topics, teaches and speaks at bar and law school events. She has received several awards, including the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Service to Law & Society Award in 2023 and Forty Under 40 recognition by the Law Bulletin. Effective September 2024, she was appointed to a vacancy on the First District Appellate Court.

Attorneys praised her knowledge of the law, reporting that she gives fair hearings with well-reasoned and principled rulings. She is hard-working, impartial and professional. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Celia Louise Gamrath qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Tommy Brewer was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2010, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to his appointment he had been in private practice, a special agent with the FBI and with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He is currently the Presiding Judge of Sixth Municipal District (Markham), a position he has held since 2017. He has been the recipient of several awards including the Cook County Bar Association’s Hall of Fame Award in 2024, the Vanguard Award from the Chicago Bar Association in 2021, and the R. Eugene Pincham Award from the Cook County Bar Association in 2018.

Attorneys gave overwhelmingly positive feedback about his legal knowledge and ability, and his management of a busy courthouse. He is considered to be even-tempered, patient, diligent and always available to assist other judges when needed. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Tommy Brewer qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Erica L. Reddick was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. After a career as an assistant public defender she was appointed to the circuit court in 2010, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. She has been the presiding Judge of the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse since 2021 after first presiding over a felony trial courtroom there. She also presides over the Assignments and Remedies Court, in addition to her administrative duties. She had previously been assigned to Child Protection and Traffic. She has taught new judges and lectured at Loyola Law School. She has sat on Illinois Supreme Court committees and served on the Illinois Courts Commission. She has received several awards from the Illinois Judicial Council including the Edith Sampson Memorial Award in 2022 and the Hon. Blanche Manning Memorial Award in 2023 and the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Women’s Bar Association in 2022.

She is highly regarded by attorneys for her excellent legal knowledge and ability, her diligence and calm demeanor. She is described as sensitive to those appearing before her with mental health issues and developmental disabilities. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Erica L. Reddick qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Lionel Jean-Baptiste was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2011, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. Since 2016 he has been assigned to Domestic Relations presiding over trials; prior assignments include handling parentage matters in the area of civil litigation. He serves on a committee for the Illinois Judicial Council and is a board member and founding member of the Haitian American Lawyers Association. He has been a panelist, speaker and award recipient for many community groups, and in 2021, the City of Evanston awarded him the Key to the City.

Attorneys overall gave positive feedback on his legal knowledge and ability, fairness and impartiality, with very glowing remarks on his temperament. While in the past, a few had raised concerns about diligence issues, none were raised in his current evaluation; he received positive reviews in that area. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Michael R. Clancy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2011, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to his appointment he had been a private practitioner and a prosecutor. Since 2017 he has presided over a felony trial call at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

The general consensus among attorneys contacted during the investigation is that he knows the law and his rulings are excellent and well-reasoned. He is considered to be a fair judge who has a more formal courtroom style and is diligent and punctual. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Michael R. Clancy qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Regina A. Scannicchio was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2011, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to her appointment she had been in private practice focusing on family law. In August of 2024 she was named Presiding Judge of Domestic Relations after first serving as Acting Presiding Judge. She has also served in various courtrooms in Domestic Relations since 2012 after first being assigned to the Traffic Division. She has been a speaker and panelist to different bar associations and judicial education groups. She is the President of the Italian American Judges Association and a past president of the Justinian Society, has served on the Executive Board of the Illinois Judges Association and the Catholic Lawyers Guild; has been a Section member and past General Assembly member of the Illinois State Bar Association. She is the recipient of several awards including the Phi Alpha Delta Justice Mary Ann McMorrow Outstanding Services to the Legal Profession Award in 2024, the Justinian Society Hon. Gerald S. Sbarboro Mentoring Award in 2022 and The John Marshall Law School Distinguished Service Alumni Award in 2005.

Attorneys praised her as an excellent presiding judge who is very smart, makes good decisions, is straight- forward, organized and patient. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Regina A. Scannicchio qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Diann K. Marsalek was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2011, elected in 2012 and retained in 2018. Since 2021, she has been the Presiding Judge of the Traffic Division and splits her time between administrative duties and hearing cases. Before her appointment to the bench, she had been a trial attorney for various government agencies. She sits on Illinois Supreme Court committees, is a president of the Polish American Judges Association and secretary of the Italian American Judges Association, as well as on the board of the Illinois Judges Association and the Illinois Judges Foundation. She co-chairs the New Judges Training Committee and has received awards from various Polish and Italian community groups. In 2024 the North Suburban Bar Association named her as a Judicial Honoree.

Attorneys had no concerns about her legal knowledge or ability and described her as fair, professional, ethical, and diligent. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Diann K. Marsalek qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Carl Boyd was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991 and was elected to the Circuit Court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Since 2017 he has been assigned to hear felonies in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham) after previously being assigned to First Municipal. Prior to his election he had been in private practice. He is a member of the Illinois Judicial Council and other bar associations, is on the Board of various community groups, and in 2023 received the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Judicial Council. He is on the Board of Trustees for the University of Northern Iowa.

Attorneys report that he has good legal knowledge and takes time to review the law, making his decisions based on law and fact; he is diligent and fair. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Carl B. Boyd qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Daniel R. Degnan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to his election he had been the Executive Director of the Cook County Employee and Annuity Benefit Fund and had worked for the Cook County Treasurer after time in private practice. He has been assigned to the Probate Division since 2016 after first serving in Traffic and Domestic Relations. He has been a speaker and panelist for different bar associations and a committee member for the Chicago Bar Association.

He is highly regarded by attorneys appearing before him who described him as extremely knowledgeable, always current on the law, prompt, diligent, and good with pro se litigants. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Daniel R. Degnan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. John H. Ehrlich was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Since May of 2023 he has been assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section after previously sitting in Motions, Chancery/Foreclosure and Traffic divisions. Prior to his election he had been an assistant corporation counsel and a private attorney handling antitrust and appellate matters. He has been an instructor at the Judicial Conference and has presented on legal issues. He is a member of various bar associations.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and ability, stating that he explains his rulings well, and is exceptional in dealing with jurors. They reported positively on his temperament and strong courtroom management skills. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge John H. Ehrlich qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. John Terry Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018 after having been in private practice. He has been assigned to the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) since 2014 and presided over a felony courtroom since 2021. He reports volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language.

Attorneys reported that he does research, manages his call with patience, and has a good temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge John Terry Gallagher qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. William G. Gamboney was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1977. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to his election he had been a solo practitioner after first working as a prosecutor. Since 2017 he has been assigned to the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse and has presided over a felony courtroom since 2018. Earlier assignments had him in Juvenile Justice and Traffic. He is a member of various bar associations and judicial organizations.

Attorneys consider him to be knowledgeable, good with complex cases, fair, punctual, and diligent. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge William G. Gamboney qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Elizabeth Mary Hayes was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant public defender. Since July of 2020 she has been assigned to Domestic Violence in the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) after previously presiding over misdemeanor and traffic calls. She is a member of bar and judicial groups and reports participating in community activities.

Attorneys praise her professionalism, diligence and courteousness. She is described as having very good legal knowledge, is punctual and well-prepared. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Elizabeth Mary Hayes qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Martin C. Kelley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. He was in private practice prior to his election. He is currently assigned to the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) where he hears non-jury civil matters and the Early Resolution Program. He has previously been assigned to hear traffic, misdemeanor, mental health and veterans court in Rolling Meadows. He is a mentor for new judges, has been a panelist and speaker; was a Board member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Center for Conflict Resolution in 2023.

Attorneys described him as a judge who knows the law, does his homework and handles complex cases well. He is considered to be impartial and calm. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Martin C. Kelley qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kimberly D. Lewis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to her election she had been a private practitioner, an administrative law judge and a prosecutor. She is currently assigned to Child Protection after a previous assignment in Traffic. She is president of the Illinois Judicial Council who also awarded her their Special Chairpersons Award in 2014 and 2016. In addition, she received a Judicial Award from the Cook County Bar Association in 2013 and she is a member of the Judicial Bench Book Board.

Attorneys consider her to be intelligent, well versed in the law, even-tempered and professional. They commented on how she is quick to assess which parties have special needs such as translators. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Kimberly D. Lewis qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Aicha Marie MacCarthy was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to her election she had been a solo practitioner, an administrative law judge and employed in different agencies with the City of Chicago. Since 2017 she has been assigned to the Probate Division – Adult Guardianship. Prior assignments included presiding in other sections of Probate and First Municipal District. She has been a speaker and panelist for the Chicago Bar Association and Loyola Law School and sits on Illinois Supreme Court and CBA committees.

Attorneys consider her to have excellent legal knowledge and ability. She is respectful to all, fair and patient and handles a difficult call well. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Aicha Marie MacCarthy qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Lisa Ann Marino was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. She is currently assigned to the First Municipal District – Housing Section with a dual assignment in the Foreclosure Section of the Chancery Division. Prior to her election, she had been a private practitioner handling real estate matters, and as an assistant state’s attorney. She is the Vice President of the Illinois Italian American Judges Association and has served on committees for the Justinian Society, and is also a member of other bar associations and judicial groups. She has received a number of awards including the Gerald L. Sbarboro Leadership in Mentoring Awards from the Justinian Society in 2011 and the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award from the Joint Civil Committee of Italian Americans in 2017.

Attorneys reported that she treats all parties equally and appears to be sensitive to diversity issues. A majority did raise concerns over her courtroom management skills and with the extent of her legal knowledge and ability. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Lisa Ann Marino not qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Michael Tully Mullen was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1981. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to his election he had been in private practice for twenty years, an assistant United States Attorney and an assistant attorney general. He has been assigned to General Chancery since 2016 after previously serving in the Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section of Chancery and the First Municipal District. He has been a panelist on legal issues and is a peer reviewer for Bench Books. He is a past director of the Illinois Judges Association and mentors new judges. He received various United States Department of Justice Awards while employed there.

Attorneys described his legal knowledge as being stellar, and stated that he issues thoughtful rulings, is patient and always prepared. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Michael Tully Mullen qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Karen L. O’Malley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Since June of 2023 she has been assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section; previous assignments include the Motion Section and Probate. She has been a speaker to the Judicial College and an adjunct instructor in trial advocacy at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. In addition, she serves on committees for both the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association and is a member of others as well.

Attorneys consider her to be knowledgeable in her area and complimented her skills as a trial judge. While some concerns had been raised about temperament and diligence in her previous assignment, none were raised regarding her current assignment; she received positive remarks in those areas. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Karen L. O’Malley qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Paul S. Pavlus was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. He was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. He had been a career prosecutor prior to his election. He has been assigned to the Second Municipal District (Skokie) since 2014 where he currently has a dual assignment to both Chicago and suburban felony calls; he has previously served in the First Municipal. He reports being involved with a community group.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge, fairness and efficiency, commenting that he is a very fair judge who follows the law. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Paul S. Pavlus qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Cynthia Ramirez was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. She is currently assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division after first sitting in the First Municipal District. Prior to her election she has been an Administrative Law Judge for various government agencies, a private practitioner and an assistant public defender. She is a member of various bar groups.

Attorneys reported that she is fair, impartial and punctual, and that her legal knowledge has grown over the years. Some concerns were raised over her temperament; while attorneys reported that it has improved, they also stated that at times she has grown frustrated and impatient and yelled at parties and attorneys which some described as an attempt to show ‘tough love’. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge *qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Beatriz Santiago was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. She was elected to the circuit court in 2012 and retained in 2018. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant public defender. She is assigned to the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) hearing traffic and misdemeanor matters with a dual assignment to the Avondale Restorative Justice Court. She is a past president of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and is a member of the Illinois Latino Judges Association. In 2023 she received a Public Service Award from the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

She was described by attorneys as an efficient judge who is well-versed in the law, keeps control of her courtroom and treats all fairly. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Beatriz Santiago qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Clare Quish was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2016 and elected in 2018. Prior to her appointment, she had been a private practitioner handling civil litigation, and a law clerk to then Appellate Justice Mary Jane Theis. She has been assigned to the Chancery Division since 2022 after first serving in various sections of First Municipal District. She is on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association, is a member of various Illinois Supreme Court Committee, and is involved with judicial education and has spoken on legal topics. She is the immediate past president of the Appellate Lawyers Association.

Attorneys described her as pleasant and professional, with several describing her as having a high level of legal knowledge. She is considered to be patient, respectful and diligent. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Clare Joyce Quish qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Stephanie Saltouros was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. She was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2016 and elected in 2018. She is currently assigned to the Motion Call in the Law Division; previously she had presided over the Domestic Violence and civil matters in the Second Municipal District (Skokie). Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner for several years after spending time as an assistant state’s attorney. She has spoken on legal topics and is a Board member for the Illinois Judges Association, as well as a Board members and committee co-chair for the Order of Themis (Hellenic Judges Association).

Attorneys gave her positive marks for her preparedness, respectfulness to all, and courtroom management skills. Several described her as a ‘teaching judge’ who explains her rulings and educates litigants. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Stephanie Saltouros qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kent Delgado was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. He is currently assigned to the Probate Division, Decedents Estates where he has presided since 2018. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice and had also been an assistant state’s attorney. In 2019 he was appointed to the Judicial Inquiry Board where he currently serves as vice-chair. He has lectured on legal topics to various bar associations we well as for the Illinois Judicial College.

Attorneys reported that he is very skilled and knowledgeable in the area of probate law, professional, diligent, and impartial. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Kent Delgado qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Cecilia Horan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. She was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court in 2017 and elected in 2018. She has been assigned to General Chancery since 2021 after previous assignments in Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Liens and First Municipal. Prior to her appointment she had been a litigation partner at Hinshaw and Culbertson. She is the president of the Alliance of Illinois Judges, and past president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. She continues to work on committee for both groups. She has spoken on legal issues and teaches judges from around the state at their education conferences.

Attorneys reported that she has a good knowledge of the law, and pointed out that in Chancery, the legal issues can be technical and involve many areas of law. She takes the time to do research, listens to both sides and has a great temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Cecilia A. Horan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Joanne F. Rosado was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. She had been a career assistant public defender prior to her appointment. In 2021 she was assigned to the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after previously serving in Juvenile Justice and First Municipal District. She serves on the Criminal Bench Book Committee and on the Board of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and has instructed at Judicial College. She received the Vanguard Award from the Chicago Bar Association in 2024.

Attorneys praised her understanding of the law, temperament and patience with pro se litigants, and reported that she thoroughly researches matters, and is sensitive to diversity. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Joanne F. Rosado qualified for retention to the Circuit court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Toya T. Harvey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 199r5. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. She currently sits in the Law Division – Trial Section; prior assignments included First Municipal, presiding in Traffic, Evictions and Civil-Jury. Prior to her appointment she had been a career assistant public defender. She has been on the faculty and on committees for judicial conferences and sits on Illinois Supreme Court committees, as well as lecturing at law schools. She is a member of various bar associations, has been on the board and committees for the Illinois Judicial Council, a committee member for the Illinois Judges Association and has received several awards from bar and community groups including the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Judicial Council in 2021 and the Cook County Bar Association’s Judicial Award in 2017.

Attorneys have described her as fair, sensitive, diligent, impartial, and thoughtful, with most giving positive comments on her legal knowledge. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Toya T. Harvey qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Adrienne E. Davis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. After first being assigned to Traffic and First Municipal, in 2019 she transferred to the Criminal Division Leighton Criminal Courthouse where she presides over a felony trial call. She had been a career assistant public defender prior to her appointment. She has been a presenter at the Judicial Education conference, is a member of various bar and judicial associations and various community groups.

Attorneys commented favorably on her ability to understand complex legal and evidentiary matters and her thoughtful rulings. She is also considered to be diligent, respectful and pleasant. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Adrienne E. Davis qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. H. Yvonne Coleman admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017 and elected in 2018. Prior to her appointment, she had been in private practice for several years after serving in various government agencies, including as General Counsel of the Chicago Independent Police Review Authority. She has been assigned to Domestic Relations since 2023 after previous assignment in First Municipal. She has been a speaker at Loyola Law School and the Illinois Judicial College and has been a moot court judge. She was inducted into the Cook County Bar Association’s Hall of Fame in 2024, and is a member of various bar associations, and has been a committee chair for the Illinois Judges Association, secretary of the Illinois Judicial Council, executive director of the Community Law Project for the Cook County Bar Association and is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association.

Attorneys reported that she knows the law, is prepared, thoughtful, level-headed, and a hard worker with good courtroom management skills. She issues comprehensive, well-written decisions. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge H. Yvonne Coleman qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Debra A. Seaton was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1986 and elected in 2018. She is currently assigned to Housing Court in the First Municipal District, after prior assignments hearing Traffic and Misdemeanor cases. Prior to her appointment, she had been both a private practitioner and an assistant public defender. She is a committee member and served on the Board of the Illinois Judges Association and received their Presidential Service Award in 2021. She is also a committee member for the Illinois State Bar Association and is a member of other bar associations as well.

Attorneys reported her to be prepared with very good legal knowledge, showing sensitivity to minorities; she take the time to do research. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Debra A. Seaton qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon David R. Navarro was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. After serving as both Acting Presiding Judge and Supervising Judge in Pretrial, he was assigned to the Illinois Appellate Court in February of 2023. Prior to his appointment, he had been Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau for the Illinois Attorney General, and also had served as an assistant state’s attorney. He has served as president of the Illinois Latino Judges Association and has been on the board of the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois. He has worked with the Illinois Judicial College and taught at Loyola University Law School and the UIC-John Marshall Law School.

Attorneys praised his deep understanding of the law and his meticulous approach to preparation. He is patient and fair with a strong commitment to diversity and fairness. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge David R. Navarro qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Marian Perkins was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. Prior to her appointment she had a private practice focusing on criminal, family and real estate law. She has presided in the Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Liens Section since 2018 after first sitting in Traffic and First Municipal. She has been a presenter on legal topics for the Illinois Judicial College and various bar associations. She is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association and has been a committee and section council member for the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She participates with various community groups and has received awards including the Outstanding Service to the Community Award from the Black Women Lawyers’ Association (2017) and the Judicial Award from the Cook County Bar Association (2018).

Attorneys spoke favorably of her diligence, temperament and integrity, and commented that she has become skilled in the law and procedural safeguards of the specialized area she is in. Many pro se litigants appear before her and she gives them ample time and attention. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Marian Emily Perkins qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Robert Harris was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. He currently sits in the Law Division – Trial Section after prior assignments in Motions and First Municipal. Prior to his appointment he had been the Public Guardian of Cook County after first serving as an assistant in that same office. He sits on the Board of Trustees and speaker for the Illinois Judicial College and was on the Board of Managers for the Chicago Bar Association and on the Board of the Chicago Bar Foundation, in addition to being a member of other groups. He has received many awards, including the Special Service Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild in 2023 and the Earl Dickerson Award from the Chicago Bar Association in 2017.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and ability and described him as an effective mediator. He is considered to be fair and impartial with a good mild-mannered demeanor. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Robert Harris qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Preston Jones was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. He has been assigned to the Law Division – Jury Section since August of 2023 after previous assignments in Traffic, First Municipal and the Motions Section of the Law Division. Prior to his appointment, he had been a career assistant public defender. He has been a speaker at Cook County New Judges School, is a member of various judicial organizations and in 2023 was presented the Earl B. Dickerson Award by the Chicago Bar Association.

Attorneys described him as a very thoughtful and pragmatic judge who understands the issues and asks pertinent questions. He is diligent, impartial and even-tempered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Preston Jones, Jr. qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Peter Michael Gonzalez was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and elected in 2018. Prior to his appointment he had been a solo practitioner, administrative law judge and assistant public defender. He has been assigned to the First Municipal District – Branch 43 hearing mainly misdemeanor and municipal violations since May of 2023. Prior assignments in First Municipal include Traffic and Branch 35. He is a Board member for the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois Charities and a past committee member for the same bar association. He is active with community organizations.

Attorneys reported that he has good legal ability and worked hard to understand and implement the Pretrial Fairness Act. They did report that at times he gets frustrated and has been observed to raise his voice, though they also stated that he is impartial and efficient. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Peter Michael Gonzalez qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Jeanne Marie Wrenn was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She was appointed to the circuit court in January 0f 2018 and then elected in the November General Election. She has been assigned to Domestic Violence since 2018 after a few months in Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she had been an assistant state’s attorney, an attorney with PACE and general counsel of the National Safety Council. She has spoken and taught on legal issues and is the First Vice President of both the Celtic Legal Society and the North Suburban Association. She also serves on the boards of several community organizations.

Attorneys gave positive feedback on her legal knowledge and ability, sensitivity, temperament, and diligence, describing her a thoughtful and a good manager of a courtroom that can be emotional. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Jeanne Marie Wrenn qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Michael Barrett was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2018 and since April 2024 has been assigned to the Law Division. Prior to this he had been assigned to the Sixth Municipal District (Markham) where he was supervising judge of the Civil Division and to Traffic. Before his election he had been a private trial attorney in civil practice. He is a past president of the Southwest Bar Association and is a Director of the Illinois Judges Association. He has sat on sections and committees for the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Alliance of Judges. He is active with community activities and speaks to youth groups.

Attorneys describe him as being well-organized with a good grasp of legal issues; and state he is ‘top notch’, calm, diligent, and fair. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Michael B. Barrett qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Tiana S. Blakely was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004 and was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2018. Prior to her election, she was a career assistant public defender. She is currently assigned to a felony trial call in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham), after previous assignment in Traffic and Domestic Violence. She has been a speaker of legal topics and for New Judge Orientation and the Judicial Education Conference. She has been secretary, a committee chair, and executive member-at-large of the Illinois Judicial Council. She received Distinguished Service Awards from the Illinois Judicial Council in 2020 and 2022, and from the Black Women’s Lawyers Association in 2019.

Attorneys praised her as a fair, hard-working and well-prepared judge who is knowledgeable on legal matters. She mentors young attorneys and takes a balanced approach to her courtroom that promotes efficiency. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Tiana S. Blakely qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Joel Chupack was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2018 after a career as a private practitioner focusing on civil and commercial litigation. He has been assigned to General Chancery since February of 2023 after first sitting in First Municipal District and the Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section of Chancery. He has spoken and written on legal topics, is on the Board of Directors of the Polish American Judges Association, and a member of other judicial organizations. He is a past president of the Decalogue Society and serves on committees with the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.

Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and ability and commented that the judge always has a strong handle on the issues and relevant law before ruling. Across the board they noted his professionalism, demeanor and patience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Joel Chupack qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Since 2019 she has been assigned to the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood) presiding over criminal and traffic matters. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant state’s attorney. She is a co-founder of the Italian American Judges Association and is a member of various bar associations. She has also been a moot court judge.

Attorneys praised her extensive knowledge of the law and her diligence and punctuality. Some raised concerns that while she does run a “tight ship” in terms of courtroom management, at time she can be impatient. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kevin Patrick Cunningham was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Since 2019 he has been assigned to the Sixth Municipal District (Markham) presiding in the Criminal Division, hearing a variety of misdemeanor, preliminary hearing and felony matters. Prior to his election, he had been a solo practitioner for several years after first serving as an assistant state’s attorney. He has lectured at the Illinois Judicial College and is a past president of the Southwest Bar Association.

Attorneys reported that he is very knowledgeable on the law and takes the time to do research when necessary. He treats all fairly and is level-headed. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Kevin Patrick Cunningham qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Colleen Reardon Daley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018 after a career as an assistant state’s attorney and a private practitioner focusing on criminal and juvenile cases. Since 2019 he has been assigned to the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) and has presided over the Parentage Call while also sitting in Civil, Domestic Violence and Traffic/Misdemeanor courtrooms. She is a member of various bar and judicial associations, sits on the Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Pro Se Advisory Committee.

Attorneys reported that she is well-prepared, knowledgeable, sensitive to diversity, diligent, even-keeled and has excellent character and integrity. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Colleen Reardon Daly qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. After spending several years in Traffic and Domestic Violence, in May of 2023 she was assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division. Prior to her election, she had been a private practitioner handling immigration matters. She has been an adjunct professor at Loyola Unity Law School and has been a guest lecturer and speaker to other judges. She is a member of various bar associations and has been on the Southwest Side Board of Catholic Charities.

Attorneys reported that she is well-prepared, courteous to all and issues thoughtful and considered decisions. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Ieshia Gray was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Since December 2021 she has been assigned to the Sixth Municipal District (Markham) where she primarily presides over civil protection orders, after prior assignment hearing civil matters in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood) and in Traffic. In July of 2024, she was also appointed the presiding judge of the Sauk Village Restorative Justice Community Court and is also helping establish a mediation program for cases involving civil protection orders. Prior to her election she had been an assistant public defender. She has been a speaker and panelist for the Illinois Judicial College and for the Illinois State Bar Association and is a member of various bar and judicial organizations.

Most attorneys contacted during the investigation stated that she had good legal knowledge and ability and is sensitive to diversity and the best interests of children. A majority, however, did have concerns over her temperament, diligence and work ethic. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Ieshia Gray not qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. John Jack Hagerty was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018 after a career in private practice handling mainly commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense matters. He has spent most of his judicial career assigned to the Second Municipal District (Skokie) where he has presided over a variety of cases. He is a member of various bar associations, serves on the Board of the Evans Scholar Foundation, is a director of Next Steps, and in 2024 was inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame for services to the Chicagoland Irish and Irish American community.

Attorneys had high praise for his legal knowledge and ability and thoughtfulness and praised his ability to pivot between different area of law. He is considered to be impartial, fair and diligent. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge John Joseph Hagerty qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Lindsay Hugé was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018. After first sitting in Traffic Division, since January 2023 he has been assigned for First Municipal District – Branch 38 (111th Street), hearing preliminary and detention hearings and ruling on requests for warrants. Prior to his election, he was a career assistant public defender. He is a member of various bar associations and judicial groups and is a past committee member for the Chicago Bar Association. He is active in various community groups centered on the arts.

Attorney commended him for being fair, thorough, calm, and professional with solid legal reasoning. A few had some concerns over punctuality and reported that at time he could appear to be short-tempered, though the overall assessment was positive. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Lindsay Hugé qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kathaleen T. Lanahan was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993 and was elected to the circuit court in 2018. She has been assigned to the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) since 2019 and currently presides over the Problem-Solving Court, including Drug Court, Veteran’s Court and Mental Health Court. Prior to this, she presided over Traffic, Misdemeanor, Parentage and Domestic Violence courtrooms. She is a member of the Illinois Judges Association and participates in various community activities.

Attorneys described her as knowledgeable and well-versed in the law; diligent, objective and with a good demeanor. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Kathaleen T. Lanahan qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election

Hon. Thomas F. McGuire was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Since 2019 he has been assigned to the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows) handling traffic, misdemeanor and preliminary hearings. Prior to his election, he has been in private practice after first serving as an assistant state’s attorney. He has spoken on legal topics, is a committee member for the Illinois State Bar Association and has received several awards from the North Suburban Bar Association as well as being a member of various other bar associations and community groups.

Attorneys and judges praised his legal knowledge and ability, describing him as having a good grasp of the law and the ability to get to the heart of the legal issues. He is described as being sensitive to diversity issues, hardworking and fair. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Thomas McGuire qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Scott McKenna was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Early in 2024 he was assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section after previously sitting in Motions; earlier assignments included First Municipal. Prior to his election, he had been a private practitioner handling civil litigation matters. He has been a speaker at judges’ seminars and at law schools and has been a mentor and volunteer in the community.

Attorneys praised his handling of complex matters and described him as smart and knowledgeable, issuing fair rulings and is professional and prepared. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Scott McKenna qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Shannon Phillip O’Malley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1992. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018 and has been assigned to Child Protection since 2019. Prior to his election, he was a private practitioner with a general practice, at first under the name Philip Spiwak, then under the name Shannon O’Malley after a name change in 2012. He has served on a committee for the Illinois Judges Association, is a member of various bar and judicial groups, and reports supporting local community groups.

Attorneys praised his temperament and described him as respectful to all parties. They gave mixed reports on his legal knowledge, with some stating it was adequate but not great, and others describing it as inadequate. The also raised concerns over his courtroom management skills, which, at time, causes cases to be delayed for long periods of time. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Shannon O’Malley not qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Erika Orr was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. She is assigned to Domestic Relations in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). Prior to her election she had been a private practitioner focusing on domestic relations cases, after first working in the area of international tax law. She has spoken at judicial education seminars and lectured at law schools and is a member of various judicial groups. She has been a community volunteer and mentor.

Attorneys described her as knowledgeable, diligent, and even-tempered with high character. She evaluates cases quickly and is professional. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Erika Orr qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Linda Perez was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. She has been assigned for the majority of her judicial career to the Juvenile Justice Division and currently presides over a juvenile justice room in the Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview). Prior to her election she was a career assistant public defender. She has been a panelist on legal issues and is a member of various bar associations. She has been a member of the Board of Visitors at Northern Illinois University – College of Law and received its Public Service Award in 2020; she is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund.

Attorneys gave positive reviews on her legal knowledge and ability, and judicial references contacted praised her diligence and reported that she takes her job seriously. There were some more mixed reviews on fairness and temperament; while most gave positive feedback, a few did say she can come across at time as being harsh, and a few also expressed concerns that at times, it seemed she might have difficulty setting her personal feelings aside. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Linda Perez qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. James Shapiro was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018 and currently is assigned to Domestic Relations in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). Prior to his election he had been in private practice focusing on white collar criminal defense and civil litigation; he had also previously served as a judge from 2007 to 2012 by appointment. He has served on committees and sections for the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Judges Association, the Women’s Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Chicago Council of Lawyers. He is a former director for the Alliance of Illinois Judges.

Attorneys consider him to be knowledgeable, hard-working, well-informed, and impartial. They described him as being great tempered and respectful to all. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge James Shapiro qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Anthanasios Sianis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018 and is currently the Supervising Judge of the Traffic Division, a post he has held since 2021. Prior to his election, he worked in various government positions as a prosecutor. He trains new judges assigned to the Traffic Division and has lectured for bar associations and the Illinois Judicial College. He is a member of various bar associations and a founding member of the Order of Themis.

Attorneys consider him to be highly knowledgeable on the law and sensitive to diversity and bias. He is described as fair, impartial and patient. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Anthanasios (Tom Sam) Sianis qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Rosa Maria Silva was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Prior to her election she was a career assistant public defender. She has been assigned to Domestic Relations since November of 2022 after previous assignments in First Municipal and Traffic. She is member of several bar associations and has been a panelist and speaker on legal topics.

Attorneys praised her diplomatic nature and level-headedness, and reported that she is knowledgeable, prepared and sharp. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Rosa Maria Silva qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Kathryn Maloney Vahey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Since 2019 she has been assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division, presiding over felony cases; she is also the co-presider over the SEED (Seeking Education and Employment Distribution) Court; a specialty court in the First Municipal District providing training and skills for young adults with low level drug matters. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant public defender. She co-authored a bench book for judges on juvenile justice and is a member of various judicial groups.

Attorneys praised her vast legal knowledge, kindness, patience, and punctuality. They commented that she treats all with respect and make an effort to tailor sentences to the specific facts and minors appearing before her. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Katharyn Maloney Vahey qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Andrea M. Webber was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. She was elected to the circuit court in 2018. Prior to her election she had been a career assistant public defender. Since 2021 she has been assigned to Domestic Relations after previous service in the Traffic Division. She is a member of various bar associations and has spoken on legal topics at bar events.

Attorneys reported that she is knowledgeable with a good grasp of case law, treats all with respect and is even- tempered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Andrea Webber qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.

Hon. Arthur Wesley Willis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. He was elected to the circuit court in 2018 and since August of 2021 has presided over a felony trial courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Prior to his election, he was a career assistant public defender. He is a member of several judicial associations and was a board member for Minority Legal Education Resources. He has taught continuing legal education topics for judges.

Attorneys reported favorably on his legal knowledge and experience, stating he knows the law and follows it. He is considered diligent and hard-working, and can be strict, not tolerating incivility. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judge Arthur Wesley Willis qualified for retention to the Circuit Court of Cook County for the 2024 General Election.