The Democratic candidate for this vacancy is unopposed; two candidates filed as Republicans for this vacancy. The Republican candidates are listed first.
The Republican primary contest was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Republican Candidates
Kevin Michael O'Donnell - #241
Campaign Website
Kevin O'Donnell: In his own words
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Kevin M. O’Donnell is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. O’Donnell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and has been a solo practitioner concentrating in real estate, wills, trusts and probate matters. While Mr. O’Donnell has practiced law for 28 years, his limited court experience would make it difficult for him to effectively serve as a judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Kevin M. O’Donnell was admitted to practice in 1988. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, although he practiced with small firms for several years early in his career. His current practice concentrates on estate planning, probate, litigation, corporate work, and real estate matters. He is active in community activities. He is considered to have good legal ability and knowledge of the law. He reports handling relatively few trials, but he has been involved in substantial pretrial practice activities in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Kevin O’Donnell has been licensed since 1988. He is a sole practitioner in Park Ridge who concentrates in estate planning, probate and some real estate. Most of this recent experience is transactional in nature. He has not tried any matters to a jury and has limited trial experience overall. He is praised for his knowledge of probate law and generally considered well-prepared. There are concerns about his limited trial experience and lack of recent complex litigation. Mr. O’Donnell is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Evaluation Unavailable |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Evaluation Unavailable |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
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Gary W. Seyring - #242
Campaign Website
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Gary W. Seyring is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Seyring was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1978 and has practiced in a small firm or as a solo practitioner for 35 years. Mr. Seyring, who is also a Certified Public Accountant, concentrates his practice in probate, estate planning, real estate, and general business matters. Mr. Seyring has an even temperament and is well regarded by his peers for his knowledge of the law. Mr. Seyring is also involved in pro bono and public service work.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Gary W. Seyring was admitted to practice in 1978. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, tax planning, and business law. A substantial percentage of Mr. Seyring’s practice involves litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Gary W. Seyring has been licensed since 1978. He is a sole practitioner and a CPA focusing on domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, and business law. He does have litigation experience in those areas. It is reported that he has good legal knowledge and is diligent with a good demeanor. Mr. Seyring is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsement
Chicago Tribune
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Democratic Candidate
Ketki "Kay" Steffen - #241
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says: Judge Ketki Shroff Steffen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Steffen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and was first appointed to the Circuit Court in 2010. Judge Steffen served on the bench for two years and presided over traffic, civil and criminal domestic violence cases. From 2013 to November 2015, she served as an Administrative Law Judge Arbitrator for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Judge Steffen was reappointed to the Circuit Court in 2015 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District where she presides over forcible detainer cases. Judge Steffen is diligent and highly regarded her knowledge of the law, judicial ability and integrity.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: Hon. Ketki Shroff Steffen was admitted to practice in 1991. She was appointed to the Circuit Court for a second time in 2015. In 2013 she was a sole practitioner and from 2013-2015 she served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2010 and served as a Circuit Judge between 2010 and 2013. From 1991 to 2010, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She is considered to have good legal ability. As a lawyer, she enjoyed a reputation as a trusted and experienced litigator. As a judge, she is praised for her ability to grasp the issues, for her courtroom management, and for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says: Ketki Steffen was licensed in 1991. She was appointed in November 2015 to the Circuit Court. She also served as a Circuit Court judge by appointment from 2010 to 2013, and was then appointed to be an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission from 2013 to 2015. Before her original appointment to the bench, she spent nineteen years with the State’s Attorney’s Office where she obtained extensive litigation experience. She is considered knowledgeable in a variety of areas of law and is highly regarded by attorneys who have appeared before her. Judge Steffen is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Highly Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Highly Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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