Vacancy of the Hon. Marsha D. Hayes

For Cook County Circuit Court - Circuitwide

Democratic Primary:

- Raymond W. Mitchell
     - Endorsed by the Illinois Civil Justice League & JUSTPAC
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Resume
     - Campaign Narrative (Candidate Provided)
     - Website: http://www.electjudgemitchell.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Judge Raymond W Mitchell
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times

- Bonnie Carol McGrath
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Resume
     - Website: http://web.me.com/bonniemcgrath/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
     - Campaign Committee: The Friends of Bonnie Carol McGrath
     - 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

- Carl B. Boyd
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Cook County Democratic Party: Mitchell
- Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): McGrath
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Mitchell
- Personal PAC: Mitchell & McGrath
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Mitchell
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: McGrath

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Mitchell: "Raymond W. Mitchell is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Mitchell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Mr. Mitchell has trial and appellate experience and has handled complex cases in both the trial and appellate courts. Mr. Mitchell receives high marks from his colleagues and opponents for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and integrity."

McGrath: "Bonnie Carol McGrath is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. McGrath was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993. Ms. McGrath has an extensive background in legal analysis and writing and is active in community affairs. Ms. McGrath is also a panel member in the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Mandatory Arbitration program. However, at this stage of her career, Ms. McGrath does not
possess the requisite breadth and depth of legal experience to serve as an Associate Judge."

Boyd: "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:

Mitchell: "Judge Raymond William Mitchell was admitted to practice in 1993. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in October 2008. From 1998 to 2008 he was an associate and then partner with the law firm of Winston & Strawn where he was involved in all aspects of more complex litigation matters. He served as an associate lawyer with Gardner, Carton & Douglas. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he reports being involved in numerous pro bono efforts. Judge Mitchell is considered to have good legal ability and was well-respected as an attorney in private practice. Lawyers appearing before him in Traffic Court, where he now sits, report that he has a very good temperament and demonstrates good legal ability. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

McGrath: "Bonnie McGrath was admitted to practice in 1993. She has been a sole practitioner since 1996 and served as a prosecutor with the Chicago Department of Law between 1992 and 1996. She has no jury trial experience, but reports acting as lead counsel in hundreds of civil bench trials. Ms. McGrath is a former journalist who now teaches at Columbia College. Her litigation experience does not include involvement with more complex matters. Ms. McGrath is praised for her temperament and is a prolific writer in legal journals. The Council, however, believes that Ms. McGrath has not demonstrated the ability to handle complex legal matters in the courtroom. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Boyd: "Carl B. Boyd refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."