Tribune Endorsements '06
For Cook County courts

Published March 9, 2006, Chicago Tribune

These are the Tribune endorsements in contested primary elections for the Cook County Circuit Court. In making the endorsements, the Tribune relies on evaluations from several bar associations, candidates' responses to an editorial board questionnaire and the advice of lawyers, judges and others who are familiar with the candidates and their work. These are Democratic primary races, except for Republican races in the 12th, 13th and 15th subcircuits.

Countywide

Burr vacancy: Ann Collins Dole is a chief assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago, handling sophisticated legal cases and supervising other attorneys' trial work. She was described as "a model practitioner" in one bar association's evaluation. She has the makings of a fine judge and is endorsed.

Jaffe vacancy: Judge Michael Howlett was appointed to this seat in September, and he should keep it. He has plenty of civil and criminal experience. As legal counsel to the Cook County state's attorney's office, he consulted with prosecutors on death-penalty cases and was liaison between the office and the Archdiocese of Chicago on sex-abuse cases.

Nudelman vacancy: Assistant State's Atty. James Patrick Murphy has been in practice for only 10 years, all of it as a prosecutor. As a first chair in the Felony Trial Division, however, he handles some of the county's most serious and complicated criminal cases. He wins raves from prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. He is far more qualified than George I. Sarolas, a solo practitioner whose experience is mostly limited to real estate, bankruptcy and domestic matters.

Schiller vacancy: Judge Pamela Veal was appointed in 2004, but voters have a better choice. In 16 years as a prosecutor Thomas J. Byrne has handled more than 1,000 cases. He supervises the prosecutors assigned to the Rolling Meadows courthouse. He works with police to evaluate felony cases, and his peers have praised him for having the courage to make and defend unpopular decisions about what would be appropriate criminal charges.

Travis vacancy: This is a crowded race, with seven candidates, but attorney Martha Mills stands out. She's one of the few candidates to get the highest ratings of both the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Council of Lawyers. Mills has been an attorney for 40 years, practicing in state and federal courts, including extensive civil-rights work. Her resume also includes a year as an appointed judge and five years as chief legal counsel to the county treasurer. Since 1998 she has run a not-for-profit organization dedicated to "restorative justice," which seeks to right civil and criminal wrongs through cooperation among victims, perpetrators and community leaders. She has a very worthy opponent in John Martin Stalmack, who has been in private practice since 1976.

1st Subcircuit

Crooks vacancy: Carl Anthony Walker, a busy general practitioner who also serves as a hearing officer for the City of Chicago, was found qualified by the Chicago Bar Association. His opponent, Bonita Coleman-John, didn't participate in most bar association evaluations.

2nd Subcircuit

Additional judgeship A: Before he joined the bench in 1989 Judge Michael Stuttley specialized in family, real-estate and personal-injury law. He serves in the Juvenile Justice Division in the 6th Municipal District. He also has handled abuse and neglect matters and served in Traffic Court. He is widely praised for creative-sentencing programs to help troubled youngsters turn their lives around.

5th Subcircuit

Green-Thapedi vacancy: Diane M. Shelley is head assistant attorney for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, a job that requires an understanding of complicated environmental and engineering issues. She spent seven years in private practice. She is articulate, passionate and strong-willed, and the choice here.

6th Subcircuit

Jorzak vacancy: Known as a zealous advocate, Ramon Ocasio III is experienced in civil and criminal matters. He has been an assistant public defender and worked for eight years in the Illinois attorney general's office. He is now a supervisor in the Cook County public defender's criminal division.

7th Subcircuit

Additional judgeship A: An assistant public defender, Carol M. Howard has worked in Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington. She taught business law at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and was session attorney for the Washington State Senate Judiciary Committee. The Chicago Bar Association calls her "poised, articulate and thoughtful."

10th Subcircuit

Golniewicz vacancy: Brian Grossman, a county prosecutor since 1988, is well-versed in criminal and civil work. He is praised for his writing and research skills and for his integrity.

11th Subcircuit

Additional judgeship A: Her peers describe Mary Colleen Roberts as a do-the-right-thing kind of prosecutor. She began her legal career in 1989 as an assistant state's attorney and now handles narcotics cases. She has worked for the Chicago Department of Law and as a hearing officer for the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit

Republicans have primary races for three vacancies in this subcircuit.

Madden vacancy: The easy choice here is Don R. Sampen. He has 30 years of broad and varied experience in private practice and as chief of special litigation for the Illinois attorney general's office. He teaches at Loyola Law School and has been published widely.

Siebel vacancy: Steve Goebel, a career prosecutor, is praised by defense attorneys for his willingness to listen respectfully and reach fair agreements. Since joining the state's attorney's office in 1981 he has worked as supervisor of the Traffic Court and the Second Municipal District.

Additional judgeship A: The clear choice in this race is Richard D. Schwind. Known for scrupulous preparation and good judgment, he is praised for his courtroom work. He has been with the Illinois attorney general's office since 1985 and is now chief of the criminal enforcement division. Before that he was a Cook County assistant state's attorney.

13th Subcircuit

Bierman vacancy: None of the three candidates in the Republican primary has an ideal range of experience for a judicial candidate, but Cary J. Collins is the best bet. Collins has been in private practice since 1979 and has focused largely on fire and police pensions. He is a Hoffman Estates village trustee.

15th Subcircuit

Nowinski vacancy: In the Republican primary, Anthony C. Scrementi is endorsed over Angelo J. Toscas. Scrementi has been in private practice since 1974 and specializes in civil cases. The Chicago Bar Association calls him "an experienced and well respected practitioner."

Thomas Anthony Gibbons is the best among nine Democrats. He has worked as a county prosecutor and a private defense attorney. He is praised for his legal ability and professionalism. Gibbons is endorsed, but it is a close call. John M. Steed spent eight years as an assistant state's attorney before going into private practice, where he concentrates on medical litigation.

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