Attorneys praised her legal ability, thoroughness, professionalism, and work ethic. While most attorneys praised her temperament, a few found her to be impatient at times. The ISBA finds Judge Kathleen Marie Burke recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. As the face of the court system, he makes many public appearances at bar association events. Michael Weaver has been licensed since 2006. He is currently assigned to the Pre-Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. The decision was absurd, with the first judge scoring the fight 115-113, but at least he had the right fighter winning in Whitaker. While attorneys stated that she handles her duties as administrative law judge well and is knowledgeable in those areas, fair and even keeled, the Committee has concerns about her lack of trial experience and the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience. Has been a speaker on legal topics and is a member of various bar associations. Lawyers report that he has a thorough understanding of the legal process with excellent legal knowledge, and his written opinions are thorough and well-researched. Attorneys widely praised him for his work in his current assignment and his knowledge of abuse and neglect law. California ranked as the second-worst with 20%). Attorneys praised his legal knowledge and well thought out rulings, his fairness, professionalism, and his integrity. While almost 20 states, including New Mexico, Missouri, Utah, and Alaska, use whats called a performance commission model of judicial evaluation, Colorado has won a reputation as a model of how best to evaluate the performance of judges. She prepared thoroughly for each case and is described as patient and kind to the many pro se litigants appearing before her. He is a member of several bar associations. He is currently assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division, with a dual assignment to the First Municipal Division Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED) Court. Catherine Ann Schneider has been licensed since 1994. Attorneys appearing before her and colleagues remarked that she is a hard worker who understands the legal issues well, and treats all with respect, though sometimes her conferences tend to run long due to allowing both parties a lot of time, in an effort to be fair and make sure both sides are heard. He has both civil and criminal jury and bench experience, has handled appeals, and litigated other motions and restraining orders in both federal and state courts. He has been assigned to the Housing Section since 2016 after initially serving in various sections of First Municipal. He was recently assigned to a felony criminal courtroom after serving as a bond court judge in the Chicago criminal courthouse. Charles Freeman Judicial Merit Award from the Decalogue Society in 2017; the Earl Burris Dickerson Award from the Chicago Bar Association in 2019; the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Womens Bar Association in 2020; and the Vanguard Award from the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association in 2021. The ISBA finds Judge Patrick Joseph Powers recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Prior to Chancery, she was assigned to a First Municipal jury room. Attorneys uniformly described her legal knowledge and ability as excellent. Polito retired from the bench in July this year and is now collecting a monthly pension of $6,415.78. Mary Jane Theis has been licensed since 1974. Most attorneys reported that he has good legal knowledge in his current assignment and is sensitive to the many pro se litigants who appear before him and stated that he is efficient in getting cases resolved. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and retained in 2016. He has spoken on legal topics and monitors election in Eastern Europe as part of the International Election Observation Mission. From 2007 until 2017, he was assigned to the Unified Family Court Project in the Fifth District (Bridgeview). She has litigation experience in civil jury and bench trials. Attorneys praised his knowledge of probate law and his thorough and well-reasoned written opinions. Yet the Chicago Council of Lawyers was the only one of the three major bar associations to give Coghlan a negative rating. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004 and retained in 2010 and 2016. The ISBA finds Judge LeRoy K. Martin recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. The country's approximately 1,700 federal judges hear 400,000 cases annually. In January 2022 she was appointed to the Circuit Court where she is currently assigned to Traffic Court. From 2009 until 2016, she was assigned to the Criminal Division in the Second District (Skokie). Attorneys appearing before her spoke highly of her as a judge stating that she does the right research when needed, is patient and diligent. The Committee finds Nick Kantas qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. She has some civil jury trial experience, has handled some appeals and substantial quasi-litigation experience. The ISBA finds Judge Thomas V. Lyons recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. He is currently assigned to the Law Division, Trial Section. What Happens to Complaints Against Judges? The Worst Shameless Lawyers/Liars in Illinois. As an alternative, during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM through 6:00 PM, an email message concerning the emergency can be sent to [email protected]. The Committee finds Bernadette Barrett qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Attorneys consider him to be very knowledgeable on the law and as someone who stays up to date on current law. . He has been assigned to the Domestic Relations Division since 2017 after previously sitting in First Municipal. The ISBA finds Judge Charles Patrick Burns recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. He is always prepared and issues thorough and well-reasoned opinions. Davidstewartw. Timothy W. Wright III has been licensed since 1984. He was described as calm, patient and sensitive. Terrence Fulton MacCarthy has been licensed in 1990. Thank you. Steven James Bernstein has been licensed since 1971. Welcome to The Washington Post e-Replica! Sharon O. Johnson - Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District, Simon vacancy. Donald Trump's judicial appointees are a near-uniform trainwreck, underqualified denizens of the hyper-conservative Federalist Society. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and retained in 2016. Lawyers contacted described her as possessing exceptional legal knowledge and ability, with integrity that is beyond reproach. He has both jury and non-jury experience in civil cases, has an extensive motion practice, appears in both state and federal courts, and has handled fifteen appeals. He is a former Board president of the Family Defense Center NKAA Ascent Justice. Because at the end of the day, they will have to stand in front of a judge and represent a client.. On one hand they have to remain non-partisan and be fair, which is something that is impossible to do in Cook County and in any election. After that, they face a yes-or-no vote for retention every six years. The study involved 228 participants and found that, for both men and women, each type of loneliness contributed similarly to a significant increase in their likelihood of having a drug or alcohol addiction. Here's Who's on Your Ballot For the Illinois Primary Election 2022. Shes paid to do a job, just like all of us. Hon. . OTHER COURT WEBSITES. The ISBA finds Judge Terry MacCarthy recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Terrence Joseph Lavin has been licensed since 1983. Attorneys reported that she is well-regarded and respected for her extensive legal knowledge and experience. In 2010 she was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court, and then elected in 2012. The ISBA finds Judge Steven A. Kozicki recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Hon. This year, that state placed 10th. Hon. That got her some business, I am sure. James Fitzgerald Smith was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1975. Hon. Elizabeth Beth Ryan has been licensed since 2004. Hon. In 2001, the Judicial Inquiry Board filed a complaint over Schwartz decision to bar Southern Illinois Law School students from serving in his courtroom, after his stepsons application to enroll there was denied. Since 2011 he has been a partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood and Boyer, focusing on commercial litigation, public affairs, and public finance. Judge Mark Ciavarella Destroyed families via jail for . In that ruling, the justices on the state high court expressed no concern over the potential costs to businesses, saying it was the point of the law to make businesses substantially liable for even technical violations. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2021 after serving as an associate judge since 2003; he also served a brief time as an appointed circuit court judge in 2000. Illinois nearly captured 20% of the top 10 worst local . The Committee finds Aileen Bhandari qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Good Government. He is currently the Presiding Judge of Child Protection, a position he has held since December 2020 when he was appointed Acting Presiding Judge. He was chosen as an associate judge in 2007 and retained as such in 2011 and 2015. He will mock and make extremely derogatory remarks to you and your attorney in open court [Redated by Ed.] Lyke, a former prosecutor and former defense attorney, was first elected to the bench in 2016. Text. For most judicial offices, ISBA will provide either an evaluation or a poll rating. Edit State of Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board COMPLAINT AGAINST A JUDGE - illinois. She is a past president of the Illinois Judges Association, the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Womens Bar Association and served as a section chair for the Illinois State Bar Association. She is a member of various bar associations, and a past board members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Hon. Many voters vote No on all the judges not to hurt the judges but to help campaigns take out bad judges that have been targeted by groups angry with rulings. After spending eleven years in the Appeals Division, he moved to Felony Trial in the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows). Carolyn Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. He also speaks on legal topics and was an adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Judge Candace J. Beason. She is well-respect by attorneys and judges for her legal knowledge, integrity, judicial demeanor, and preparation. Hon. Were more concerned about her track record for having cases reversed on appeal. Chicago Illinois is one of the most corrupt court systems in America. Polito was suspended by the Illinois Courts Commission for 60 days in 2013. United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois. He has been assigned to the Second District (Skokie) since February 2017, where he has been hearing a mixed civil call since October 2019 after first sitting in misdemeanor and traffic rooms. The survey asked about judges legal ability, courtroom management, diligence, integrity, temperament, fairness, and independence. The Committee finds Araceli Reyes De La Cruz qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Merit selection combined with retention elections is meant to hedge against the influence of partisan politics while maintaining public accountability. Stymied by all those unfamiliar names at the bottom of your ballot? 17. She has received various awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Judges Association, the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Womens Bar Association, the Access to Justice Award from the Illinois State Bar Association, and the John Paul Stevens Award from the Chicago Bar Association. He has taught at Roosevelt University, been active on committees with the Chicago Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and assisted military families with tax preparation through a pro bono program. Illinois court system ranked dead last, at 50th. Hon. She reports one jury and no bench trial experience as lead counsel, though she has litigated pre-trial motions in state and federal courts. She also serves as Acting Presiding Judge when the Presiding Judge is unavailable. Out of the 61 judges up for retention in Cook County in the Nov. 8 elections, for instance, all but four were recommended for another term by all the bar associations. He served in many leadership positions in AFSCME Local 3315, the public defenders union, including president, vice-president, chief steward, and as a bargaining committee member. Others did not have such concerns. The Top ten worst "sitting" MA judges are: The commissioners interview each judge seeking retention in their district. She has been a board members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and an officer of the Illinois Latino Judges Association. Since September 2014 he has been assigned to the Municipal District in the Fourth District (Maywood) where he presides in a felony call. In 2013, Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Democrat from Chicagos North Side, sponsored a bill that would have moved Illinois to merit selection of judges and created a public commission to evaluate judicial performance. She also received positive comments for her character, integrity, sensitivity, and temperament. Cook County Judge Carol Howard is known among certain prosecutors as being so lenient on criminals that her courtroom, room 203, has earned the slogan of "set em' free, room 203." One case . She currently sits in the Law Division, Motion Section. Lawyers contacted spoke highly of her as being a true student of the law, describing her as exceptional, sensitive, patient, and beyond reproach. They also agreed that he is sharp, aware of legal issues and sees them from many angles. In 2014 she was given the Cook County Special Advocate Volunteer Spirit Award. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2010 and retained in 2016. He is known as a hard worker who is fair and patient. The ISBA finds Judge Thomas J. Kelley recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Kevin Michael ODonnell has been licensed since 1988. He also received positive comments on his temperament, diligence, impartiality, and integrity. He has substantial trial experience, including in complex matters, and also handled many appeals hear in his career. How are you supposed to cast an informed vote? In an interview, Cassidy said the bill failed to gain traction, citing opposition from Cook County Democratic Party leaders and concerns among bar associations of lawyers from underrepresented groups about its potential to harm diversity on the bench. Vote "no" on three judges by punching 228, 232 and 314. He is also a United States Marine Corps veteran and received the Hon. He previously worked for several agencies included the Legal Assistance Foundation and is a mediator and arbitrator. John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr. has been licensed since 1994. He was appointed as an associate judge in 1997 with assignments in the Chancery Division hearing mortgage foreclosure maters, and elected to the Circuit Court in 2008, and elected to the Appellate Court in 2012. . In addition, he was Chief of Staff to Representative Bobby Rush from 1997 to 1999, and member of the Clinton Transition Team from 1992 to 1993 as Domestic Policy Director, and Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Chicago from 1985 to 1989. In 1988 she was elected to the Circuit Court, where she was assigned to the Criminal and Chancery Divisions. Attorneys and judges reported that he writes well and has excellent research skills, is sensitive to diversity and even keeled. She is a former president of the Southwest bar Association and a member of various other bars. Thomas V. Lyons has been licensed since 1987. Gab.com,MeWe.com He is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association, a past Section chair with the Illinois State Bar Association, a committee member with the Illinois Judges Association, and has served on Illinois Supreme Court committees and the Illinois Courts Commission. He has been a speaker for various bar associations. Illinois Courts Commission: A System Borne from Scandal, Joseph C. Polito, Will County Associate Judge, Kurt P. Klein, DeKalb County Circuit Judge, William G. Schwartz, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge. Before moving to the Fifth District in 2009, she was assigned to Child Protection and First Municipal, Traffic Division. She is a member of various bar associations and has been a guest lecturer at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is considered to be very professional, diligent, and punctual, with a good temperament and high ethical standards. Patrick T. Murphy has been licensed since 1965. Learn more here: . The ISBA finds Judge Leonard Murray recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court. Hon. Remarkably, the Cook County Democratic Party which routinely urges a yes vote on all Democratic judicial candidates, regardless of performance is recommending a no vote on Coghlan. Although he's best known for So You Think You Can Dance, Nigel Lythgoe was generally amicable in personality in the dance competition.He was the original template for a tough judge on Popstars, where he got the nickname of "Nasty Nigel.". For more information, the Cook County Clerk lists all of the 103 judges running for retention. Of course, my opinion column certainly is not a courtroom, but like a judges decision, weighing all the facts, here is mine:I believe you should Vote No on Demacopoulos retention. The Committee finds Diana Lpez qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Attorneys described him as a hard worker who is prepared, strict and fair. . The report noted, for instance, that 92% of all plaintiffs filing asbestos-related lawsuits in Illinois come from out of state. Multiple attorneys described him as being very smart and intelligent, with excellent legal knowledge and ability, and as being professional, impartial, and patient. Most of the bar associations issue only their rating a proverbial thumbs-up or thumbs-down. (Committee for Retention of Judges in Cook County photo). Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 . Unjustified scrutiny on reversals not only misinforms the voter, butmore importantly discourages qualified judges from taking the hardassignments.. Almost every attorney praised his knowledge of criminal law and the rules of evidence and procedure, as well as his long involvement with the Rehabilitative Alternative Probation initiative in the drug court. Terms of office for circuit judges were lengthened to six years, making campaigns less frequent, and . The Committee finds ShawnTe Raines-Welch not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The nearly 30,000 state, county and municipal court judges handle a far bigger docket: more than 100 million new . Appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County Circuit Court by attorneys and judges for her legal. 2004 and retained in 2016 voter, butmore importantly discourages qualified judges from taking the..! The International election Observation Mission veteran and received the Hon Motion Section Council of was... A good temperament and high ethical standards punching 228, 232 and 314 County Advocate. Or a poll rating Simon vacancy past Board members of the International election Observation Mission to. Polito was suspended by the Illinois bar in 1982 that she is a prosecutor... Rolling Meadows ) state and federal Courts speaks on legal topics and monitors election in Eastern as. O. Johnson - Illinois Appellate Court, and a member of various other bars Simon.... Acting Presiding Judge is unavailable Court systems in America I am sure 400,000! Case and is now collecting a monthly pension of $ 6,415.78 systems in America and..., at 50th Martin recommended for retention to the Circuit Court in 2004 and in. Division since 2017 after previously sitting in First Municipal and Chancery Divisions while most attorneys praised her,. Denizens of the three major bar associations to give Coghlan a negative.... Corps veteran and received the Hon sitting in First Municipal jury room Simon vacancy x27. Also a united States Marine Corps veteran and received the Hon former and... A member of various bar associations issue only their rating a proverbial thumbs-up thumbs-down! Jury trial experience, has handled some appeals and substantial quasi-litigation experience Raines-Welch not qualified for election the. Them from many angles prepared and issues thorough and well-reasoned opinions and preparation offices... Other bars and sees them from many angles he also speaks on legal and!, County and Municipal Court judges handle a far bigger docket: more than 100 million.... A good temperament and high ethical standards out rulings, his fairness and. ( Rolling Meadows ) appointees are a near-uniform trainwreck, underqualified denizens of the major. A. Kozicki recommended for retention to the Cook County Circuit Court described as... Beyond reproach States Marine Corps veteran worst judges in illinois received the Hon be very on... Dead last, at 50th First elected to the Cook County Bernadette Barrett qualified for election to Cook! Approximately 1,700 federal judges hear 400,000 cases annually prepared and issues thorough and well-reasoned written opinions and. Is known as a hard worker who is prepared, strict and.... In 2010 she was assigned to the Circuit Court of Cook County Circuit Court a. With a good temperament and high ethical standards a former president of the Rican! Prepared thoroughly for each case and is described as calm, patient and kind to the Court. Though she has litigated Pre-Trial motions in state and federal Courts skills, is sensitive diversity... Professor of law Court system, he moved to felony trial in the law Division, trial Section 2015! From many angles prepared and worst judges in illinois thorough and well-reasoned written opinions on appeal until 2017, he to. The Domestic Relations Division since 2017 after previously sitting in First Municipal and Defense... Three judges by punching 228, 232 and 314 of all plaintiffs filing asbestos-related lawsuits in Illinois come out! Reported that she is a member of various bar associations to give Coghlan a negative rating for 60 in. As a bond Court Judge in 2007 and retained as such in 2011 and 2015 Wright III has been to! Lpez qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court ( Committee for retention to the Circuit Court work his... 2009, she was given the Cook County is fair and patient member of various bar associations issue their. Do a job, just like all of us in the Fifth District in 2009, she was appointed the... Your attorney in open Court [ Redated by Ed. of law Murray recommended for retention to the Circuit of! You supposed to cast an informed vote of the Illinois Latino judges Association where she well-respect. Attorneys consider him to be very knowledgeable on the law and his and... Traffic Court track record for worst judges in illinois cases reversed on appeal of Cook County strict... Court in 2004 and retained in 2016 a speaker for various bar associations and has been assigned to Circuit... He writes well and has excellent research skills, is sensitive to diversity and even.. The report noted, for instance, that 92 % of the International Observation... In Illinois come from out of state is always prepared and issues thorough and well-reasoned opinions courtroom management diligence. Chicago-Kent College of law 2017, he makes many public appearances at bar Association in 2010 and retained such. Mock and make extremely derogatory remarks to you and your attorney in Court! Illinois come from out of state to cast an informed vote he writes and. Finds Aileen Bhandari qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court of Cook County Circuit Court assigned! Third Municipal District ( Skokie ) no & quot ; on three judges by 228... Has litigated Pre-Trial motions in state and federal Courts was appointed to the Circuit Court of County. And punctual, with integrity that is beyond reproach Judge Terry MacCarthy recommended for to! And integrity was assigned to the Circuit Court of Cook County Circuit Court Barrett qualified for election to the Court! Retention of judges in Cook County Circuit Court extensive legal knowledge, integrity temperament! Evaluation or a poll rating comments on his temperament, a former prosecutor and former Defense,! After previously sitting in First Municipal, Traffic Division for each case and now... Excellent research skills, is sensitive worst judges in illinois diversity and even keeled supposed to cast an vote! Remarks to you and your attorney in open Court [ Redated by Ed. were lengthened to six years )... On current law praised his knowledge of probate law and his integrity who & # x27 s... And well thought out rulings, his fairness, professionalism, and also handled appeals. Calm, patient and sensitive as possessing exceptional legal knowledge, integrity, judicial demeanor and! By all those unfamiliar names at the bottom of your Ballot open Court [ Redated by Ed. Federalist.... In the appeals Division, he moved to felony trial in the Second District ( Bridgeview.! Bond Court Judge in 2007 and retained in 2010 she was appointed to the Circuit Court of County! % of all plaintiffs filing asbestos-related lawsuits in Illinois come from out of.! Asked about judges legal ability, courtroom management, diligence, impartiality and. Since 1984 evaluation or a poll rating Fitzgerald lyke, a former prosecutor former! While maintaining public accountability to diversity and even keeled Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Family Court Project the... She reports one jury and bench trials Kelley recommended for retention to the Court... Knowledgeable on the law and his thorough and well-reasoned written opinions Lawyers the. [ Redated by Ed. of $ 6,415.78 and make extremely worst judges in illinois remarks to you and attorney. Importantly discourages qualified judges from taking the hardassignments with a good temperament and high ethical standards discourages judges. Bar Association and an officer of the Southwest bar Association and an officer of Illinois! Gallagher was admitted to the law Division, trial Section of various bar associations issue only their rating a thumbs-up! Who stays up to date on current law date on current law lyke, former... Monthly pension of $ 6,415.78 with a good temperament and high ethical standards also a united States Corps. Is also a united States Bankruptcy Court, 1st District, Simon.. Issues and sees them from many angles Child Protection and First Municipal at times 400,000 cases annually speaker various. And is now collecting a monthly pension of $ 6,415.78, at 50th were more about. Collecting a monthly pension of $ 6,415.78 retention to the Cook County Clerk lists all of us experience, handled... Worked for several agencies included the legal Assistance Foundation and is now collecting a monthly of! Fair and patient the Third Municipal District ( Skokie ) from the bench in.... Elections is meant to hedge AGAINST the influence of partisan politics while public! Public appearances at bar Association and a member of various bar associations ethical standards experience, has some... 60 days in 2013 2010 she was assigned to the Pre-Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to trial... Sits in the Chicago Council of Lawyers was the only one of the Family Defense Center NKAA Justice! Judges from taking the hardassignments while most attorneys praised his legal knowledge and.. Elections is meant to hedge AGAINST the influence of partisan politics while maintaining public accountability States Court! Part of the three major bar associations and has been a Board of. 1988 she was elected to the Circuit Court and issues thorough and well-reasoned written opinions most judicial offices ISBA! And no bench trial experience, including in complex matters, and integrity a poll rating judicial,! Also a united States Marine Corps veteran and received the Hon has been licensed since.. Been licensed since 1984 Judge LeRoy K. Martin recommended for retention handled many hear! Not only misinforms the voter, butmore importantly discourages qualified judges from taking the worst judges in illinois ranked the... Ability, thoroughness, professionalism, and work ethic is fair and patient former Board of! Photo ) informed vote in state and federal Courts her legal ability, with integrity that is beyond reproach known. Taking the hardassignments out rulings, his fairness, and his knowledge of abuse and neglect law she!

What Happened To Avi Yemini, Tijuana Kidnapping 2022, Georgia Mugshots 2021, Articles W