These
are the Tribune endorsements in contested primary elections for
the Cook County Circuit Court. In making the endorsements, the
Tribune relies on evaluations from several bar associations, candidates'
responses to an editorial board questionnaire and the advice of
lawyers, judges and others who are familiar with the candidates
and their work. These are Democratic primary races, except for
Republican races in the 12th, 13th and 15th subcircuits.
Countywide
Burr
vacancy: Ann Collins Dole is a chief assistant corporation counsel
for the City of Chicago, handling sophisticated legal cases and
supervising other attorneys' trial work. She was described as
"a model practitioner" in one bar association's evaluation. She
has the makings of a fine judge and is endorsed.
Jaffe
vacancy: Judge Michael Howlett was appointed to this seat in September,
and he should keep it. He has plenty of civil and criminal experience.
As legal counsel to the Cook County state's attorney's office,
he consulted with prosecutors on death-penalty cases and was liaison
between the office and the Archdiocese of Chicago on sex-abuse
cases.
Nudelman
vacancy: Assistant State's Atty. James Patrick Murphy has been
in practice for only 10 years, all of it as a prosecutor. As a
first chair in the Felony Trial Division, however, he handles
some of the county's most serious and complicated criminal cases.
He wins raves from prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. He
is far more qualified than George I. Sarolas, a solo practitioner
whose experience is mostly limited to real estate, bankruptcy
and domestic matters.
Schiller
vacancy: Judge Pamela Veal was appointed in 2004, but voters have
a better choice. In 16 years as a prosecutor Thomas J. Byrne has
handled more than 1,000 cases. He supervises the prosecutors assigned
to the Rolling Meadows courthouse. He works with police to evaluate
felony cases, and his peers have praised him for having the courage
to make and defend unpopular decisions about what would be appropriate
criminal charges.
Travis
vacancy: This is a crowded race, with seven candidates, but attorney
Martha Mills stands out. She's one of the few candidates to get
the highest ratings of both the Chicago Bar Association and the
Chicago Council of Lawyers. Mills has been an attorney for 40
years, practicing in state and federal courts, including extensive
civil-rights work. Her resume also includes a year as an appointed
judge and five years as chief legal counsel to the county treasurer.
Since 1998 she has run a not-for-profit organization dedicated
to "restorative justice," which seeks to right civil and criminal
wrongs through cooperation among victims, perpetrators and community
leaders. She has a very worthy opponent in John Martin Stalmack,
who has been in private practice since 1976.
1st
Subcircuit
Crooks
vacancy: Carl Anthony Walker, a busy general practitioner who
also serves as a hearing officer for the City of Chicago, was
found qualified by the Chicago Bar Association. His opponent,
Bonita Coleman-John, didn't participate in most bar association
evaluations.
2nd
Subcircuit
Additional
judgeship A: Before he joined the bench in 1989 Judge Michael
Stuttley specialized in family, real-estate and personal-injury
law. He serves in the Juvenile Justice Division in the 6th Municipal
District. He also has handled abuse and neglect matters and served
in Traffic Court. He is widely praised for creative-sentencing
programs to help troubled youngsters turn their lives around.
5th
Subcircuit
Green-Thapedi
vacancy: Diane M. Shelley is head assistant attorney for the Metropolitan
Water Reclamation District, a job that requires an understanding
of complicated environmental and engineering issues. She spent
seven years in private practice. She is articulate, passionate
and strong-willed, and the choice here.
6th
Subcircuit
Jorzak
vacancy: Known as a zealous advocate, Ramon Ocasio III is experienced
in civil and criminal matters. He has been an assistant public
defender and worked for eight years in the Illinois attorney general's
office. He is now a supervisor in the Cook County public defender's
criminal division.
7th
Subcircuit
Additional
judgeship A: An assistant public defender, Carol M. Howard has
worked in Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington. She taught business
law at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and was session
attorney for the Washington State Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Chicago Bar Association calls her "poised, articulate and
thoughtful."
10th
Subcircuit
Golniewicz
vacancy: Brian Grossman, a county prosecutor since 1988, is well-versed
in criminal and civil work. He is praised for his writing and
research skills and for his integrity.
11th
Subcircuit
Additional
judgeship A: Her peers describe Mary Colleen Roberts as a do-the-right-thing
kind of prosecutor. She began her legal career in 1989 as an assistant
state's attorney and now handles narcotics cases. She has worked
for the Chicago Department of Law and as a hearing officer for
the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court.
12th
Subcircuit
Republicans
have primary races for three vacancies in this subcircuit.
Madden
vacancy: The easy choice here is Don R. Sampen. He has 30 years
of broad and varied experience in private practice and as chief
of special litigation for the Illinois attorney general's office.
He teaches at Loyola Law School and has been published widely.
Siebel
vacancy: Steve Goebel, a career prosecutor, is praised by defense
attorneys for his willingness to listen respectfully and reach
fair agreements. Since joining the state's attorney's office in
1981 he has worked as supervisor of the Traffic Court and the
Second Municipal District.
Additional
judgeship A: The clear choice in this race is Richard D. Schwind.
Known for scrupulous preparation and good judgment, he is praised
for his courtroom work. He has been with the Illinois attorney
general's office since 1985 and is now chief of the criminal enforcement
division. Before that he was a Cook County assistant state's attorney.
13th
Subcircuit
Bierman
vacancy: None of the three candidates in the Republican primary
has an ideal range of experience for a judicial candidate, but
Cary J. Collins is the best bet. Collins has been in private practice
since 1979 and has focused largely on fire and police pensions.
He is a Hoffman Estates village trustee.
15th
Subcircuit
Nowinski
vacancy: In the Republican primary, Anthony C. Scrementi is endorsed
over Angelo J. Toscas. Scrementi has been in private practice
since 1974 and specializes in civil cases. The Chicago Bar Association
calls him "an experienced and well respected practitioner."
Thomas
Anthony Gibbons is the best among nine Democrats. He has worked
as a county prosecutor and a private defense attorney. He is praised
for his legal ability and professionalism. Gibbons is endorsed,
but it is a close call. John M. Steed spent eight years as an
assistant state's attorney before going into private practice,
where he concentrates on medical litigation.
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