Vacancy of the Hon. Thomas P. Panichi

For Cook County Circuit Court - 15th Subcircuit

Democratic Primary:

- George F. Scully
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Judge Scully
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times

- Mary Therese Quinn
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Michael T. Huguelet
     - Campaign Committee: Friends of Mike Huguelet
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Peter A. Fera
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Peter A Fera
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Scully
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Scully

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Scully: "George F. Scully, Jr. is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Scully was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1981 and possesses the requisite depth and breadth of legal experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Quinn: "Mary Therese Quinn is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinn was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since her admission to the bar. Ms. Quinn has tried more than 50 jury cases and is a member of the Capital Litigation Bar. Ms. Quinn possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Huguelet: "Michael T. Huguelet is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Huguelet was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1979 and concentrates his practice in estate planning, probate, and real estate law. In addition, Mr. Huguelet serves as a village prosecutor. Mr. Huguelet has a fine temperament and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Fera: "Peter Fera is “Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fera was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1968. Mr. Fera is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and extensive practice experience. Mr. Fera possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Scully: "Hon. George Francis Scully was admitted to practice in 1981 and was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2009. He is currently assigned to the First Municipal District hearing traffic matters. Before taking the bench, Judge Scully was in private practice and served as general counsel to two banks and as an Illinois state legislator. He has substantial litigation experience in commercial litigation matters. He was well respected as a lawyer with good legal ability and temperament. Those appearing before him as a judge praise his court management skills and his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Quinn: "Mary Therese Quinn has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since her admission to the bar in 1988. She is currently assigned to a felony trial courtroom after having served in the Financial Crimes Unit. Ms. Quinn is considered to be a solid prosecutor with good legal ability and temperament. She is praised as being well-prepared and hard-working. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Huguelet: "Michael T. Huguelet was admitted to practice in 1979. He has been a sole practitioner since 1991. He is the Village Prosecutor for the Village of Orland Park. From 1983 to 1991, he served as a partner in a Florida law firm. He reports having no jury trial experience but reports acting as lead counsel in numerous bench trials, although many of these are in less complex matters, such as ordinance violations. Respondents consider Mr. Huguelet to have good legal ability and to possess a good temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that much of his practice has been involved in less complex litigation matters. The Council believes a judge must have experience in complex litigation matters before taking the bench. The Council finds Mr. Huguelet Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Fera: "Peter A. Fera has been a lawyer since 1968. Mr. Fera is considered to be a highly experienced attorney in will and estates, trusts, banking regulations and compliance, mortgage law, and real estate work. He is considered to have good legal ability in transactional work. While his litigation work is limited, he has done some insurance defense litigation and eviction work during his career. Mr. Fera is a highly respected transactional lawyer who has demonstrated solid ability. The Council believes, however, that judges need to have substantial litigation experience before going on the bench. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified."