Kankakee County Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls

John Anderson (Highly Recommended)

Judge John Anderson received his undergraduate degree from Illinois State University, a master’s degree from University of Illinois – Springfield, an MBA for University of Notre Dame, a law degree from John Marshall Law School (now the University of Illinois – Chicago), and an LLM from Duke University Law School. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. Judge Anderson has served as chairman of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee, as a member of the Judicial Retirement System board, and served on the board of directors for the Lawyer’s Trust Fund. He has coached the Providence Catholic High School mock trial team and moderated the Providence Catholic High School law club. Judge John Anderson also speaks to transgender groups and explains to them the name change process through the court system.

The committee investigated Judge Anderson’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. Judge John Anderson is a legal writer, having been published in various law journals, including those at Harvard and Yale. Judge Anderson is currently a circuit court judge handling chancery cases in Will County, Illinois.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Judge John Anderson is highly recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 3rd Appellate District of Illinois.

Kenton Skarin (Recommended)

Judge Kenton Skarin received his undergraduate degree from North Central College in 2003, and his law degree from Northwestern University in 2009. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. He was appointed to be an associate judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit in 2019. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District in Charlottesville, Virginia from 2009-2010, an associate with Mayer Brown LLP in Chicago from 2010-2012, a law clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court from 2012-13, and he practiced law in the areas of appellate, large commercial litigation, and government from 2013-2019.

The committee also investigated Judge Skarin’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.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Judge Kenton Skarin is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 3rd Appellate District of Illinois.

Linda Davenport (Recommended)

Justice Linda Davenport received her undergraduate degree from University of Colorado and her law degree from DePaul University College of Law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1978. For 15 years, she ran the PADS program through her church where unhoused individuals were able to get shelter, hot meals, laundry services and showers. She ran for Circuit Judge on a platform of increasing the diversity of the bench in DuPage County, and continued to pursue diversity in the courts when she was appointed to the Appellate Court.

The committee investigated Justice Davenport’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. The Committee noted her experience in private practice (approximately 17 years) in combination with her experience as a trial court judge (approximately 18 years). She has demonstrated an effort to diversify the bench in DuPage County when she was a Circuit Judge, but also acted as a mentor to other female attorneys. Many attorneys interviewed about her said that she was “firm but fair.”

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Justice Linda Davenport is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 3rd Appellate District of Illinois.

Jason Helland (Recommended)

Judge Jason Helland received his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of St. Francis and his law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. Judge Helland began his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Kankakee County before being elected to the first of three terms as the Grundy County State’s Attorney. In 2022 he was elected to the position of Circuit Judge, a position he currently holds. He has been active in his community serving on the local Habitat for Humnity Board of Directors; he also currently coaches YMCA basketball.

The committee investigated Judge Helland’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.

Judge Helland’s trial experience as a prosecutor along with his tenure as a judge has prepared him to serve as an appellate court justice, should he be elected. He has exhibited those traits and qualities that the ISBA believes are vital to being good justice if elected to serve.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Judge Jason Helland is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 3rd Appellate District of Illinois.

John F. Costello, Jr. (Not Recommended)

The ISBA Judicial Evaluations Committee evaluates judicial candidates for legal ability, experience, fairness, and judicial temperament, among other qualifications. John F. Costello, Jr. was offered the opportunity to participate in the ISBA’s professional evaluation process, but he did not respond to the invitation. Without his cooperation, it was impossible for the committee to fully evaluate his qualifications. Therefore, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that John F. Costello, Jr. is not recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the Third Appellate District of Illinois.

Lance Peterson (Recommended)

Justice Lance Peterson received his undergraduate degree from Millikin University (BA) and his law degree from University of Illinois-Chicago (John Marshall Law School) and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. After graduating law school, he served as a Judicial Clerk for Justice Tobias Barry for the Third Appellate District and Justice Mary Ann McMorrow at the Illinois Supreme Court. From 1995-1996, he was an associate for Cortina, Mueller, Garretson & O’Brien, where he practiced in criminal defense, municipal law, and personal injury matters. Subsequently, he was elected as the Grundy County State’s Attorney in 1996 and served in that position until 2001. In 2001, he was appointed to serve as an associate judge and later became a resident circuit judge in Grundy County. During this time, he presided over a variety of civil and criminal cases. In addition, he led a team that implemented the Grundy County Treatment Alternative Court in which he presided over as judge for approximately eight years. On August 1, 2022, he was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court, where he serves as an appellate court justice and serves on the following committees: Illinois Courts Commission, Civil Jury Instructions, Illinois Bench Book Committee. He is a life-long resident of Grundy County and has contributed to local schools and charity organizations within his community.

The committee investigated Justice Lance Peterson’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 Peterson is described as being respectful and courteous to all litigants before him both at the trial and appellate court level. In addition, he is well regarded for his knowledge and ability to apply the law, without bias, by attorneys who have practiced in front of him both at the trial and appellate court level.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Justice Lance Peterson is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 3rd Appellate District of Illinois.

William E. Holdridge (Recommended for Retention)

Justice William E. Holdridge is a candidate for retention to the position of Appellate Court Justice in the Third District of Illinois. Justice Holdridge received his undergraduate degree in education from Illinois State University, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Southern Illinois University. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1984.

Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Holdridge worked as a professor and in the private practice of law. Justice Holdridge participates in bar association activities and committees and is a regular presenter for continuing legal education. He participates in the Appellate Lawyer Moot Court Competition as a judge in the final rounds. He also is a sponsor in the summer reading program at Farmington Community Library.

The committee investigated Justice Holdridge’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 Holdridge has been described as having outstanding legal knowledge and ability. During his time on the Appellate Court, he has been known to be impartial and has shown great character.

Using the criteria and process above, the ISBA recommends a “Yes” for Justice Holdridge’s retention to the Illinois Appellate Court.