The
Tribune offers endorsements today in contested primaries for the
Illinois Appellate Court. The Tribune's endorsements are based
on the candidates' professionalism, legal ability, fairness, understanding
of the law and respect for those who appear in the courtroom.
These are all Democratic primary races.
1st
Judicial District (Cook County)
Hartigan
vacancy: In 13 years as a circuit judge, Deborah Mary Dooling
has served with distinction in some of the most challenging assignments
in the system. Her years in the chancery, law and criminal divisions
would serve her well as an Appellate Court justice. She is a tireless
worker with excellent writing and reasoning skills. Michael James
Murphy, who was appointed to this vacancy last year, is also a
strong candidate. He gets high marks for his diverse legal knowledge
and for his courtroom demeanor. Dooling is endorsed.
Hartman
vacancy: There are several strong candidates in this field. The
best is Appellate Justice David Anthony Erickson, known for his
integrity, open-mindedness and sure-footed competence. Appointed
to this seat last year, he has earned a reputation as a careful
listener and a thoughtful questioner. As a first assistant state's
attorney from 1996 to 2001, he was involved in several initiatives,
including creation of a domestic violence court, a drug diversion
court and a narcotics strike force. He was on the Supreme Court
committee that crafted reforms to the state's capital punishment
system.
Two
other candidates deserve praise. Attorney Joy Virginia Cunningham
was an associate judge from 1997 to 2000; she left the bench to
go back to the private sector and is senior vice president and
general counsel for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Circuit Judge
Eileen Mary Brewer is highly regarded for her legal scholarship
and her work ethic. She was elected in 2002 and sits in the domestic
relations division. The daughter of a New York City cop, she was
the first in her family to finish high school, and she received
a law degree from Harvard.
3rd
Judicial District (central Illinois)
Slater
vacancy: Attorney Tom O'Neal of Peoria stands out here, though
he has not been a judge. He has some thoughtful ideas about how
to expedite cases and manage the Appellate Court workload. He
has worked as a special assistant attorney general for agricultural
law, helping farmers in financial distress find legal assistance,
and he now specializes in business and commercial law. He is endorsed
over Vicki Wright of Tampico, an associate judge since 1991, and
Lance Peterson of Morris, an associate judge and former Grundy
County state's attorney.
5th
Judicial District (southern Illinois)
Maag
vacancy: Bruce Stewart of Harrisburg is a circuit judge in Saline
County. He is rated "highly qualified" by the Illinois State Bar
Association and received outstanding marks in an association survey
of attorneys. He would bring a measure of geographic balance to
this district, which is dominated by judges from Madison and St.
Clair Counties. He is endorsed over William Berry of Collinsville.
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