CCL evaluations in the race for the Bender vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of candidates running for the Bender vacancy in the 9th Subcircuit. Candidates are listed in ballot order. These two candidates face each other in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this Circuit Court vacancy.

Michael Ian Bender -- Qualified

Judge Michael I. Bender was admitted to practice in 1991. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008. Before being appointed, he was with a firm concentrating in family law. He has served as an assistant corporation counsel for the Village of Skokie and was a sole practitioner for 10 years. He clerked for Illinois Appellate Court Justice Allen Hartman after graduating law school. As a lawyer, Mr. Bender was reported to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council, in 2007, was concerned, however, that he lacked sufficient experience in complex litigation matters. Since being appointed to the bench, he has been assigned to Traffic Court, but has also presided over misdemeanor criminal bench trials and motions, misdemeanor criminal jury trials, and civil trials and motions in the First Municipal District. Respondents in general praise his judicial abilities, saying that he has done a good job grasping new concepts, understanding the issues, managing the courtroom, and having a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Lionel Jean-Baptiste -- Qualified

Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2011. He was admitted to practice in 1991. He is involved in numerous community service pro bono activities, including immigration law work for Haitians to pursue political asylum, Temporary Protective Status, and other relief under immigration law. Before becoming a judge, he had served as the Alderman for the 2nd Ward of Evanston, Illinois since 2001. At the time of his appointment to the bench, he was a sole practitioner doing administrative law (such as representing clients before the Illinois Department of Human Rights) and litigation. From 1997 to 2001 he practiced law with state Senator Kwame Raoul. He was a sole practitioner between 1993 and 1997 and from 1991 to 1993 he practiced in the firm of Gainer & Dillard.

Mr. Jean-Baptiste is reported to be a hard-working lawyer dedicated to social justice. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has sufficient litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

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