Vacancy of the Hon. William M. Phelan

For Cook County Circuit Court - 15th Subcircuit

Democratic Primary:

- John C. Griffin
     - Endorsed by the Illinois Civil Justice League & JUSTPAC
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Resume
     - Website: http://www.judgejohngriffin.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Judge John C Griffin
     - 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

- Carl Evans, Jr.
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Carl Evans Jr
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Nichole C. Patton
     - Website: http://www.pattonforjudge.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens for Nichole C Patton
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Thomas "TJ" Somer
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Biography
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Thomas "TJ" Somer
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Mary Beth Kent Duffy
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Mary Beth Kent Duffy for Judge
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): Griffin
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Griffin
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Griffin
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Patton

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Griffin: "John C. Griffin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and has a wide range of civil litigation experience. Mr. Griffin has an outstanding demeanor and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Evans: "Carl Evans, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Evans was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Mr. Evans possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Patton: "Nichole C. Patton is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Patton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997. While Ms. Patton has an interesting and diverse legal background, at this stage of her career she does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of experience to serve as an Associate Judge."

Somer: "Thomas "TJ" Somer is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Somers was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and has broad experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Somers is well respected for his legal knowledge and ability, integrity, and fine temperament."

Duffy: "The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Griffin: "Judge John C. Griffin was admitted to practice in 1976. For 31 years he was in private practice primarily handling real estate, zoning and development-related matters. In March 2008, he was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to a judicial vacancy. He has served in Traffic Court and currently presides over mortgage foreclosure matters in the Foreclosure/Mechanic’s Lien Section. Judge Griffin is reported to have good legal ability and an excellent temperament. He had a good reputation as a hard-working and knowledgeable attorney and is praised for his courtroom management skills and for being well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Evans: "Carl Evans, Jr. has been a lawyer since 1993. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, concentrating in criminal defense and personal injury work. He has been an adjunct professor of law at John Marshall Law School since 2001, teaching legal writing, research, and oral advocacy for first-year students. He is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent demeanor. He is praised for being exceptionally hard working and well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Patton: "Nicole Patton was admitted to practice in 1997. She is currently a sole practitioner and was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney having practiced in the areas of real estate taxation, delinquency, child protection, traffic, and appeals. She reports acting as lead counsel in 1 civil jury, 5 criminal juries, 200 criminal bench trials, and 100 civil trials. She has handled 25 cases on appeal. Ms. Patton is considered to have good legal ability and temperament and has the reputation of being a good attorney. The Council is concerned, however, because while Ms. Patton has litigation experience, little of it is in more complex matters. She has the potential for being a good judge but the Council believes she is not yet ready for the bench. The Council finds her Not Qualified at this time."

Somer: "Thomas Joseph “TJ” Somer was admitted to practice in 1991, following 14 years as a police officer in Chicago Heights. After one year working on insurance defense cases for a large firm, he set up his own general practice firm in the south suburbs. Since 1997 he has served as a Supervisor for Bloom Township and, since 2006, he has also served as corporation counsel for the city of Chicago Heights. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Chicago Heights and for Congress. Mr. Somer is reported to have good legal ability and temperament, although his practice is narrow. In addition to the narrowness of his practice, the Council is also concerned that Somer was a defendant in a law suit alleging illegal practices with respect to tax delinquent properties during the time he was the Bloom Township Supervisor. Although the trial court absolved Somer of wrongdoing, the Appellate Court reversed the trial court’s decision. Mr. Somer denies any culpability and insists that this program was appropriate and successful. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Duffy: "Mary Beth Duffy was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1992 and has been a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney since 1996. She is currently prosecuting felonies as a “First Chair” prosecutor in the Markham courthouse. She has extensive bench and jury trial experience. Ms. Duffy has good legal ability and a good temperament. She is considered to be hard working. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court."