Vacancy of the Hon. Ronald C. Riley

For Cook County Circuit Court - Circuitwide

Democratic Primary:

- Sandra G. Ramos
     - Website: http://www.ramosforjudge.com/
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Russell William Hartigan
     - Endorsed by the Illinois Civil Justice League & JUSTPAC
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Resume
     - Website: http://www.russellwhartiganforjudge.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Russell W Hartigan
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Highly 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

- James Michael Bailey
     - Website: http://www.baileyforjudge.org/
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens for James Michael Bailey
     - 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

- John Patrick Nyhan
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens for John Patrick Nyhan
     - 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

- Edmund Paul Michalowski
     - Website: http://www.edmichalowski.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Friends of Ed Michalowski
     - 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

- Marvin W. Gray
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Resume
     - Website: http://www.marvingray.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Marvin W Gray
     - 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

- Tracey J. Stokes
     - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Tracey J. Stokes
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Highly Qualified" 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:
- Cook County Democratic Party: Ramos
- Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): Hartigan
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Bailey
- Personal PAC: Hartigan
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Bailey
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Stokes

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Ramos: "Sandra Gisela Ramos is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Ramos was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for eight years. Since 1994, Ms. Ramos has been in private practice as a solo practitioner concentrating primarily in criminal defense. Ms. Ramos possesses the requisite litigation and jury trial experience in criminal law, but lacks knowledge and experience in civil practice. Concerns were raised about Ms. Ramos’ temperament and ability to effectively manage a high volume court call."

Hartigan: "Russell W. Hartigan is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hartigan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976. He has practiced a wide range of complex civil litigation matters. He has tried a variety of civil jury trials. He is respected by his peers and possesses an excellent temperament. The committee finds he is “Highly Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Bailey: "James M. Bailey II is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bailey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney for his entire career. Mr. Bailey has extensive civil and criminal trial experience. Mr. Bailey is well regarded for his fine temperament and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Nyhan: "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 JE, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

Michalowski: "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 JE, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

Gray: "Marvin W. Gray is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Mr. Gray was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1972. While Mr. Gray has practiced law for many years, he does not possess the requisite legal experience and ability to serve as an Associate Judge."

Stokes: "Tracey J. Stokes is "Highly Qualified" for the office Circuit Court Judge.  Ms. Stokes was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and has a broad range of legal and trial experience.  Ms. Stokes is well respected for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, professionalism, and outstanding termperament."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Ramos: "Sandra Ramos was admitted to practice in 1986. She has been a sole practitioner since 1993 doing mostly criminal defense work, and served for nine years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney (1986 to 1995). She reports acting as lead counsel on about 30 criminal jury trials and numerous bench trials. The investigation of Ms. Ramos yielded decidedly mixed results. Some lawyers and judges say she has good legal ability and temperament. But many others question her diligence and temperament. In light of these criticisms and the narrowness of her practice, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Hartigan: "Russell William Hartigan was admitted to practice in 1976. He has been in private practice throughout his career with extensive personal injury litigation experience. He reports acting as lead counsel in 45 civil jury trials and in numerous arbitrations. He has personally handled fifteen cases as principal appellate counsel and argued orally eight of these in the U.S Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court, and the Illinois Supreme Court. He is active in bar association activities, and currently is on the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors. He has published articles on civil practice matters and is active in community affairs. Mr. Hartigan is reported to have good legal ability and a very good temperament. He is praised as a hard-working, conscientious, and knowledgeable practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Bailey: "James M. Bailey, II has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since his admission to the bar in 1984. His practice currently involves appellate criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Bailey is a 1983 graduate of the John Marshall Law School. He has been a guest lecturer on Advanced Trial Practice at Chicago-Kent and on Drug Asset Forfeiture at the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Bailey is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He is praised as a solid prosecutor with experience in both criminal and civil law matters. The Council finds Mr. Bailey Qualified to serve in Circuit Court."

Nyhan: "John Patrick Nyhan refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."

Michalowski: "Edmund Paul Michalowski refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."

Gray: "Marvin W. Gray was admitted to practice in 1972. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, doing mostly civil litigation. He worked as an employee of the law department of the Chicago Transit Authority doing civil litigation defense between 1987 and 1991. He reports acting as lead counsel in 10 criminal and 75 civil jury trials, and 250 civil and 25 criminal bench trials. Mr. Gray is considered to be a good attorney with extensive litigation experience. While much of this experience involves cases that are short in duration and lesser value personal injury matters, he has had litigation matters throughout his long career involving more complex matters. Lawyers report that he has good legal ability and a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Stokes: "Tracey Stokes was admitted to practice in 1985. She has been in private practice doing insurance defense work throughout her career. She reports acting as lead counsel in 22 civil juries and 8 civil bench trials. Ms. Stokes has substantial litigation and trial experience over the course of her career. She is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is respected by her peers as a good attorney who is knowledgeable and diligent. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court."