Posted by With 46 lawyers seeking to become judges in this primary election in Cook County, voters need to know which candidates are most qualified for the job. Judicial elections rarely generate the same attention as contests for mayor, governor, or president, but the lawyers elected to the bench shape our justice system in profound and lasting ways. That is why being informed, especially when voting for judges, is so important.
Judges make decisions that affect families, businesses, neighborhoods, and constitutional rights. They preside over criminal cases that determine liberty, civil disputes affecting people’s financial well-being, and family matters that shape children’s lives. Unlike legislators, judges do not create policy; they interpret and apply the law. Their temperament, integrity, legal ability, and commitment to fairness directly influence how justice is delivered in our communities.
The challenge for many voters is that they know little about many judicial candidates. These positions matter too much to leave to chance. This is why the CBA’s judicial evaluations are an invaluable public resource. Since 1887, the CBA’s Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC), a nonpartisan, semi-independent committee, has evaluated candidates for judicial offices in Cook County. The JEC’s 150 dedicated volunteer investigators spend thousands of hours thoroughly investigating and evaluating the candidates based on integrity, legal knowledge, legal ability, temperament, diligence, and punctuality.
The goal of this comprehensive process is to provide voters with reliable, fact-based information about whether a candidate is “Highly Qualified, “” Qualified, or “Not Recommended” to serve. When voters take the time to learn about candidates’ qualifications, they reinforce the principle that judges are accountable to the public they serve. Utilizing these evaluations helps strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
The CBA provides easy access to this information through our Judge Smart Pocket guide on our website at www.chicagobar.org/votejudges. The downloadable and printable guide is available in English, Spanish, and Polish, allowing citizens to take the findings into the polling booth. For voters looking for detailed evaluations of each candidate, there is also a 17-page Smart Guide that provides a written explanation of each candidate’s rating.
The impact of judicial elections resonates long after Election Day. By leveraging trusted resources such as the CBA’s judicial evaluations, voters can make thoughtful, informed choices. Our courts are foundational to democracy. The responsibility to protect their integrity begins with each of us—one informed vote at a time.
Whether you take part in early voting or plan to head to the voting booth on March 17, visit www.chicagobar.org/votejudges before you go.
Jeffrey W. Finke, Attorney at Law
Chair, CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee