Results for All Counties Outside Cook

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Yes

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 Evaluation – Highly Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Not Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Yes

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.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Highly Recommended

Lisa Holder White (Highly Recommended)

Justice Lisa Holder White received her undergraduate degree from Lewis University and her law degree from University of Illinois College of Law and was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. She previously served as an Associate Judge and Circuit Court Judge in Decatur (Macon County), as well as an Appellate Court Justice in the 4th Judicial District. Prior to becoming a judge, she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and private practitioner handling a wide variety of criminal, family, probate, adoption, and juvenile matters. Justice Holder White is active in numerous professional associations, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and her church.

The committee investigated Justice Holder White’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 Holder White possesses the professional experience, temperament, and integrity required of an Illinois Supreme Court Justice.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Justice Lisa Holder White is highly recommended for the position of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

Eugene Doherty (Recommended)

Justice Eugene Doherty received his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1983. Justice Doherty received his law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1989.

Justice Doherty worked with Holmstrom & Kennedy, PC in Rockford in civil litigation from 1991 until he became a judge in 2007.

Justice Doherty began his service as a Circuit Court Judge in the 17th Circuit in Winnebago County in June 2007 and served as Chief Judge for that Circuit from 2018 to 2021. He was appointed to the 4th District Appellate Court in July 2022 where he currently presides. He has been a guest instructor at the Northern Illinois University College of Law and has lectured and presented continuing legal education programs throughout his career. He has been a contributor of articles for legal journals.

The Judicial Evaluation Committee Outside Cook county of the Illinois State Bar Association has investigated and considered Justice Doherty’s credentials, experience and the opinions of the attorneys who have appeared before him with respect to litigation experience, professional experience, health, age, legal knowledge, legal ability, integrity, sensitivity to diversity, sensitivity to bias, judicial temperament, diligence, punctuality, professional conduct, and character and he has achieved high marks in all areas. He has been described as a person of great integrity and ethics.

Using the criteria and process noted above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Justice Eugene Doherty is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 4th Appellate District of Illinois.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – Recommended

Amy Lannerd (Recommended)

Justice Amy Lannerd received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1998. Justice Lannerd received her law degree from the University of Denver in 2001 and was also admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001.

Justice Lannerd worked with Lewis, Longlett & Lannerd in Quincy in general practice from 2001 until she became a circuit judge in 2016. Justice Lannerd began her service as a Circuit Court Judge in the 8th Circuit in Adams County in April 2016. She was appointed to the 4th District Appellate Court in December 2022 where she currently presides. Justice Lannerd has been on her church (Christ Lutheran Church) council for 3 years and has served on the risk management committee there. She is also a sustaining member of the Quincy Service League and has a pending application to rejoin Rotary International (as her club had ceased operation for a couple of years).

The Judicial Evaluation Committee Outside Cook County investigated Justice Lannerd’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 Lannerd has had varied assignments as a judge. Justice Lannerd is described as having a respectful and courteous attitude with those who practice in front her and her legal acumen is “on point” as she is always prepared, understands the issues and asks pointed questions.

Using the criteria and process above, the Illinois State Bar Association finds that Justice Amy Lannerd is recommended for the position of Justice of the Appellate Court for the 4th Appellate District of Illinois.

ISBA Judicial Evaluation – No

Robert J. Steigmann (Not Recommended for Retention)