Starting to look at Tuesday's results -- and asking about the impact of...
Much as I might prefer it otherwise, Cook County judicial elections are affected by other political races, and in multiple ways.Turnout has to be the biggest factor. And, whatever we learned in civics...
View ArticleMore fun with numbers: County population drops while numbers of registered...
The Tribune reported yesterday that population has dropped in the Chicago area for a third consecutive year. Elvia Malagon writes that population has actually increased in some of the collar counties,...
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Was this election cycle rougher than previous ones?
My working hypothesis is 'yes.'I was going to go off on a rant about how, with the best of intentions, trying to obtain heightened public interest in Cook County judicial races, we have 'let the Snake...
View ArticleBrendan Shiller responds to yesterday's post about judicial campaign tactics
The following was received from attorney Brendan Shiller as an email. With the consent of Mr. Shiller, it is reprinted here as a guest post. Please note that that I have corrected yesterday's post to...
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Guest Post: Dr. Klumpp looks at the judicial primary results
by Albert J. KlumppHeading into last Tuesday’s primary, the biggest question for the judicial contests here in Cook County was whether or not the emerging #MeToo movement would translate into a large...
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Justice John B. Simon steps down
FWIW has learned that Illinois Appellate Court Justice John B. Simon has submitted his resignation from the bench, effective May 1.The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Simon, a longtime partner at...
View ArticleFollowing up, as promised, on "more fun with numbers" post
A couple of weeks ago, just after the primary, I wrote a post that noted that, even while the population of Chicago in particular and Cook County generally was decreasing, the voter rolls were...
View ArticleThe forthcoming Associate Judge selection and the limitations of judicial...
First in a series.Soon (as soon as next Monday, according to one tip I received) the Nominating Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County will reconvene. The Nominating Committee's task is to pare...
View ArticleLooking more at the limitations of judicial evaluations
Second in a series. For the first article in this series, scroll down or click here.In a March 27 story on Injustice Watch ("Cook County judicial voters reject old habits, disfavor poorly rated...
View ArticleCBA Judicial Evaluation Committee looking for new members
The Chicago Bar Association is looking for new members for the Investigation Division of its Judicial Evaluation Committee.In an email sent yesterday, the CBA reminded members that its "Judicial...
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Guest Post: Recognizing, understanding, and referring a colleague in need
Chelsy A. Castro, JD, MA, MSW, LCSW, is Director of Outreach and Clinical Programming for the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program. She joined the LAP staff in 2014.As lawyers, we are a vulnerable...
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Court adjourned: Harry Anderson passes away
Harry Anderson, who played Judge Harold T. Stone on TV's Night Court from 1984 to 1992, has passed away.I will be playing a lot of Mel Tormé records today.
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CBA announces Law Week events
The Chicago Bar Association has announced three events to coincide with the American Bar Association's celebration of Law Day on May 1.Call-a-Lawyer Program. The CBA's Law Week observances begin on...
View ArticleJudge John C. Griffin appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court
In an order entered yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge John C. Griffin to the Appellate Court vacancy created by the pending resignation of Justice John B. Simon.The appointment is...
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Road trip! IJF and IBF to jointly host May 15 reception in Springfield
The Illinois Judges Foundation and the Illinois Bar Foundation are co-hosting a Legal Luminary Reception on May 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Illinois State Library, 300 S. 2nd Street,...
View ArticleBREAKING: Rumored AJ short list includes eight current sitting judges
Let's start with the facts as we know them right now: The 2018 Associate Judge short list has not yet been officially released.Anxious FWIW readers may have seen a number of comments posted this...
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U.S. District Court announces Magistrate Judge vacancy
The Northern District of Illinois has announced an opening for a new Chicago-based Magistrate Judge.The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on May 18.Applications can be accessed via this page on...
View ArticleShort list long on familiar names
It wasn't eight; it was nine. The 'unofficial' list I saw this morning was off by one. Nine currently-serving judges are on the 'short list' just released by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. One, John S....
View ArticleNo lunch plans today? Vanguard Awards Luncheon starts at 11:30 at the...
Individuals who are leading the way to promote strength, professionalism and diversity across Chicago’s legal community will be recognized at the Chicago Bar Association’s 2018 Vanguard Awards Luncheon...
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Looking more at the 2018 Associate Judge finalists - part 1
If history is any guide, I'll have to update this post as more information becomes available -- and that will be my plan, as time permits.Starting today, in alphabetical order, FWIW takes a look at the...
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