DeKalb County is in the 2nd Judicial District and 23rd Circuit.
ISBA Judicial Evaluations: Ratings are the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association.
ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: Opinions expressed are of those lawyers who chose to respond and not of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Learn more about ISBA Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls
2nd Judicial District Appellate Court
Retention
Susan F. Hutchinson
ISBA Judicial Evaluation
Susan Fayette Hutchinson (Recommended for Retention)
Justice Susan Fayette Hutchinson is a candidate for retention to the position of Appellate Court Justice in the Second District of Illinois. Justice Hutchinson received her undergraduate degree from Quincy College (nka Quincy University) and her law degree from DePaul University. She was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1977.
Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Hutchinson worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney. Justice Hutchinson is said to be a glass-ceiling breaker and a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. She has worked full-time during her career while being a wife and a mother. Justice Hutchinson also played an integral role in the creation of a family mediation program which prevents children from having to testify in courtrooms in certain cases.
The committee investigated Justice Hutchinson’s credentials in litigation experience, professional experience, health and age, legal knowledge and ability, integrity, sensitivity to diversity and bias, judicial temperament, diligence, punctuality, impartiality, professional conduct, and character. Justice Hutchinson has been described as professional, respectful, compassionate, and generous with her time, allowing others to be fully heard. During her time on the Appellate Court, she has been known to possess integrity and a high regard for ethics.
Using the criteria and process above, the ISBA recommends a “Yes” for Justice Hutchinson’s retention to the Illinois Appellate Court.
ISBA Judicial Advisory Poll
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Meets Requirements Of Office | 87.92 |
| Integrity | 94.59 |
| Impartiality | 93.75 |
| Legal Ability | 91.28 |
| Temperament | 95.30 |
| Court Management | 92.31 |
| Health | 92.31 |
| Sensitivity | 95.74 |
| Number of Respondents | 153 |
23rd Circuit Judicial Advisory Polls
The 23rd Circuit encompasses DeKalb and Kendall counties.
Joint Poll with the DeKalb County Bar Association
Vacancies
Barnhart Vacancy
John McAdams
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Meets Requirements Of Office | 97.96 |
| Integrity | 100 |
| Impartiality | 97.96 |
| Legal Ability | 100 |
| Temperament | 97.96 |
| Court Management | 97.92 |
| Health | 97.73 |
| Sensitivity | 100 |
| Number of Respondents | 49 |
Retention
No judges are up for retention.
ISBA Judicial Evaluations: The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) utilizes a rigorous multi-step process to evaluate applicants for appellate and supreme court judge vacancies before making recommendations about them to the public. The process considers the candidate’s application, a comprehensive investigation including interviews with lawyers knowledgeable about the candidate, and a formal interview with the candidate. Finally, the full committee reviews and finalizes its ratings before making any recommendation. The ISBA’s evaluation process is designed to recommend candidates that will uphold the integrity and fairness of the judiciary. The ISBA is a statewide voluntary association of lawyers and legal professionals, and its recommendations represent solely the ISBA’s opinion.
ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The advisory poll is conducted electronically and by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election. Illinois licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any Illinois licensed attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys.