CBA “Judge Smart Pocket Guide” Available for Voters in English, Spanish and Polish
The Chicago Bar Association released evaluation results for judicial candidates who are seeking election or retention to the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court or the Circuit Court of Cook County in the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.
The non-partisan evaluations are a comprehensive, peer-to-peer review process conducted as a long-standing public service by the CBA’s Judicial Evaluation Committee. Candidates who submit a questionnaire and participate in the screening process are evaluated on their integrity, legal knowledge, legal ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, diligence, and punctuality.
The Judicial Evaluation findings are available on the CBA’s website at www.chicagobar.org/votejudges. The CBA’s “Judge Smart Pocket Guide” is available in English, Spanish and Polish and can be downloaded from the site for voters to take directly into the voting booth.
“A Judge has the power to impact people’s lives, and we strongly encourage Cook County voters to utilize our Judicial Evaluation findings to cast informed votes for judicial candidates on November 5,” said Michelle Carey, Chair of the CBA’s Judicial Evaluation Committee.
Judicial Evaluations Committee Findings
Supreme Court Candidates:
The candidate seeking election to the Illinois Supreme Court was found to be “Highly Qualified.”
Appellate Court Candidates:
All judicial candidates seeking election to the Illinois Appellate Court were found to be “Highly Qualified.”
Circuit Court of Cook County Candidates:
Of the 45 Cook County Circuit Court candidates running, the CBA’s Judicial Evaluation Committee rated two as “Highly Qualified,” 36 as “Qualified,” and seven as “Not Recommended.”
The seven “Not Recommended” candidates include two who declined to participate in the JEC screening process and were found automatically “Not Recommended” pursuant to JEC governing bylaws.
Retention Candidates:
In the coming general election, the CBA recommends retaining 77 of the 78 Cook County judges on the November ballot. Of the 78 judges on the ballot, the JEC found two Illinois Appellate Justices “Qualified,” and 75 Circuit Court judges “Qualified,” to be retained by Cook County voters. One Circuit Court judge was found “Not Recommended.”
“The CBA employs a non-partisan judicial evaluation process to ensure we can provide voters with judicial ratings void of political or CBA member influence because an independent judiciary is a crucial safeguard for our democracy and to protect the rights of all our citizens,” said CBA President John C. Sciaccotta.
About the Judicial Evaluation Committee
The Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) is the semi-autonomous committee of The Chicago Bar Association that conducts evaluations of candidates for judicial offices and sitting judges seeking retention within Cook County. As a service to the public, the CBA reports the findings of the JEC for all elections. The evaluations are designed to inform the public and the courts of the qualifications, independence, and integrity of judicial candidates. The JEC findings are available at www.chicagobar.org/votejudges.
About the Chicago Bar Association
Founded in 1874, the Chicago Bar Association maintains the honor and dignity of the legal profession, cultivates relationships between members, and promotes the administration of justice and the public good. One of the oldest and most active metropolitan bar associations in the United States, the Chicago Bar Association has more than 17,000 members, including attorneys from every practice area, the judiciary, and law students. Through CLE (Continuing Legal Education) offerings, mentorship, and pro-bono projects, the Association provides resources and opportunities for attorneys of all ages, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the modern practice of law.