2024 General Election

St. Clair County Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls

St. Clair County is in the 5th Judicial District and 20th 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

20th Circuit Judicial Advisory Polls

The 20th Circuit encompasses St. Clair county.

Vacancies

No judicial vacancies.


Retention

Zina R.Cruse – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Zina R.Cruse
CriteriaScore
Meets Requirements Of Office 82.18
Integrity 86.87
Impartiality 83.33
Legal Ability 83.50
Temperament 79.41
Court Management 84.85
Health 92.86
Sensitivity 86.00
Number of Respondents 105
Andrew J. Gleeson – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Andrew J. Gleeson
CriteriaScore
Meets Requirements Of Office 91.18
Integrity 91.18
Impartiality 89.63
Legal Ability 96.38
Temperament 93.43
Court Management 95.62
Health 96.27
Sensitivity 95.49
Number of Respondents 138
Chris Kolker – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Chris Kolker
CriteriaScore
Meets Requirements Of Office 89.47
Integrity 90.91
Impartiality 87.12
Legal Ability 95.45
Temperament 93.18
Court Management 95.38
Health 97.64
Sensitivity 95.31
Number of Respondents 133
John J. O’Gara – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for John J. O’Gara
CriteriaScore
Meets Requirements Of Office 97.60
Integrity 97.58
Impartiality 97.58
Legal Ability 99.20
Temperament 97.60
Court Management 98.37
Health 99.15
Sensitivity 98.35
Number of Respondents 126
Heinz Rudolf – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Heinz Rudolf
CriteriaScore
Meets Requirements Of Office 95.21
Integrity 96.58
Impartiality 91.03
Legal Ability 95.89
Temperament 96.53
Court Management 96.55
Health 97.90
Sensitivity 96.50
Number of Respondents 146

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.

Learn more about the methods used to rate candidates