Chicago Sun-Times
Just vote no on these 4 judges
Published: October 27, 2008
Commentary

For $163,000 a year and the power to find people innocent or guilty, changing lives forever, you might think a judge at least could show up for work on time and be reasonably polite.

But these four judges, local lawyers complain, just don't bother: Edward Pietrucha, Vanessa Hopkins, Evelyn Clay and Casandra Lewis.

Every two years, voters get a chance to throw a third of Cook County's judges off the bench. And every two years since 1994, the voters have put them right back on, even the worst of them.

And, for that, we pay a serious price.

Unlike members of Congress, who are only one vote out of 435, a judge has the power to single-handedly take away your car, your house, your children, even your life.

At the bottom of the ballot on Nov. 4, Cook County voters will find the names of 70 sitting judges who are up for retention. Every six years, the judges must get 60 percent "Yes" votes to keep their seats.

Some -- such as Mike Gallagher, Themis Karnezis and Michael Toomin -- are deemed by us and all the local bar associations as highly qualified.

Most other judges are hardworking soldiers who come to work and earn their pay.

But a substantial minority don't belong there. They got on the bench through luck of the ballot box or loyalty to a political party.

We could target a number of judges with lackluster records, but let's focus on the four judges that most of the lawyers' groups agree don't belong there.

Judge Ed Pietrucha, says the Chicago Council of Lawyers, "is reported to exhibit bullying behavior toward lawyers, children, their parents and guardians."

About Judge Evelyn Clay, the Chicago Bar Association writes: "Concerns were raised about Judge Clay's knowledge of the law and poor judgment making insensitive comments from the bench."

About Judge Vanessa Hopkins -- elected to the bench two years out of law school -- the Chicago Council of Lawyers writes: "Lawyers complain she often loses control over her courtroom, has an impatient temperament, and is sometimes not punctual."

And as for Judge Casandra Lewis, the Council writes: "Many lawyers complain that she is not well-prepared and is often not punctual taking the bench."

We feel it necessary to mention reservations about a fifth judge who is up for retention, though she is rated as qualified by the bar groups and we are not urging a vote against her. In May in Tinley Park, Judge Sheila McGinnis was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and crashing her car into a van with five people in it. No one was hurt, but McGinnis refused to take a Breathalyzer test. Her case has yet to go to trial, and and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Twelve years ago, McGinnis, who is a cousin of Mayor Daley, was slated for election to the bench over more-experienced candidates. All the other candidates then cleared out of the race, allowing her to win by default.

Most candidates for judicial seats in Cook County run without opposition in the general election, but this year there are five contested races. In the west suburban 4th Subcircuit, we recommend Democrat Pat Rogers over Republican Maureen Masterson-Pulia. In the north suburban 12th Subcircuit, we recommend Democrat Pamela Elizabeth Loza over Republican Laura Morask. In the northwest suburban 13th Subcircuit, we recommend Democrat Ann Catherine Brady over Republican Annie O'Donnell, and we recommend Republican Margarita Kulys Hoffman over Democrat Carol L. Barnes. In the southwest suburban 15th Subcircuit, we recommend Democrat Anna Demacoupoulos over Republican Peter Fera.

For detailed reviews of judicial candidates, visit wwwchicagocouncil.org and www.chicagobar.org.