Organizing the Data: Countywide Funderburk vacancy

Updated March 14, 2020
Updated March 12, 2020

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.

Jacqueline Marie Griffin - #191

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Jacqueline Marie Griffin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney her entire career. Ms. Griffin is currently a trial attorney in the Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Unit in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Griffin has extensive criminal and civil trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, fairness, and fine demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Jacqueline M. Griffin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2005. Since that time, she has been an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, She is currently assigned to the Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Unit of the Felony Trial Division. Since 2007, she has also been a Solo Practitioner with a focus on wills and real estate transactions.

Ms. Griffin is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters, The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Jacqueline Marie Griffin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. She is a career assistant state’s attorney, currently assigned to the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit after previous assignment in Juvenile Justice and Child Support. She has lectured students through the Lawyers in the Classroom program.

She has jury and bench trial experience and has handled complex matters. Attorneys report that she is diligent, punctual, respectful, and has good character and integrity. ISBA finds Ms. Jacqueline Marie Griffin qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
Citizens in Action for Better Government
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Daniel L. Collins - #192

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Danny Collins is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Collins was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in workers’ compensation, administrative hearings, and appeals. Mr. Collins has an excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite depth and breadth of experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Daniel L. Collins was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1998. Since 2014, he has been President and Solo Proprietor of the Dan Collins Law Firm, where he handles worker compensation, business, and employment litigation. He also handled worker compensation litigation at Krol, Bongiorno, and Given, where he was an Associate from 2003 to 2014. From 1999 to 2003, he was an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he tried preliminary hearing and misdemeanor cases and conducted felony review.

Mr. Collins is widely praised as having very good legal ability and excellent research and writing skills. He has substantial litigation experience and is reported to have very good litigation skills. He has a professional demeanor, and, in general, is a well respected practitioner with a variety of experiences. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Daniel L. Collins has been licensed since 1998. He spent four years as an assistant state’s attorney before joining two different firms, concentrating on workers’ compensation matters. In 2014 he opened a solo practice handling workers’ compensation, criminal, business, and employment matters. He is a member of several bar associations and is active with his local little league.

He is well-respected by other attorneys, considered to be level-headed with high integrity and a great temperament. He was praised for his excellent research and writing skills. ISBA finds Mr. Daniel L. Collins qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement

41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization

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Mary Therese Quinn - #193

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Mary Therese Quinn is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinn was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served for 22 years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Since 2011, Ms. Quinn has been engaged in private practice concentrating largely in criminal law matters. Ms. Quinn has extensive criminal trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, compassion and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Mary T. Quinn was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. Since 2011, she has been a Solo Practitioner who handles criminal defense matters ranging from misdemeanors such as DUI, domestic violence, and traffic violations to felonies including drug cases, theft, robbery, and murder. Previously, she was an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she worked in the Auto Theft Unit (2006-2011), Felony Trial Division (2001-2006, 1992-1998), the Financial Crimes Unit (1998-2001), the Narcotics Division (1990-1992), and at the Bridgeview courthouse, where she prosecuted misdemeanors (1989-1990). She is a member of the Cook County Bar Association and the South Suburban Bar Association, where she serves as Vice President and volunteers for the pro bono program.

Ms. Quinn is considered to have good legal ability with litigation experience in criminal law matters. She is reported to have a good temperament and is praised for her knowledge of the law. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Mary Therese Quinn was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988. After spending 22 years as an assistant state’s attorney, she opened her own practice in 2011 concentrating on criminal defense. As a prosecutor, her assignments included the Auto Theft Unit, Financial Crimes, Narcotics and Appeals. She is a member of several bar associations, is vice president of the South Suburban Bar Association, and does some pro bono work through that same group.

She is considered by other attorneys to be knowledgeable and well-prepared with high character and integrity. She has a diverse clientele and treats all with respect. ISBA finds Ms. Mary Therese Quinn qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

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Celestia L. Mays - #194

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Celestia Mays is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Mays was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2019. Judge Mays is currently assigned to the Fourth Municipal District and hears a variety of misdemeanor cases and traffic court violations. Judge Mays is hardworking and receives high marks for her fine temperament and people skills.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Hon. Celestia L. Mays was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990 and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019. She was elected to the bench by the Circuit Judges as an Associate Judge in December 2019 . Before taking the bench, she was principal of Celestia L. Mays, P.C., where she practiced in family law and probate law, and handled real estate closings. She previously worked as an associate at Bourgeois & Bourgeois (1994-1997); and at the Los Angeles County law firms of McIntosh, Schmidt & Long (1991-1994, law clerk); and Mercer & Zinder (1988-1991, law clerk). She has served on the board of directors of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago; as the deputy regional director and treasurer of Region VII of the National Bar Association; and in a variety of offices at the Cook County Bar Association, including president. She is a former board member of Legal Aid Chicago.

Judge Mays is considered to have very good legal ability and is praised for her temperament. She has substantial litigation experience and is reported to be an excellent practitioner with great integrity. She is praised for her litigation skills. She is exceptionally active in community activities. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Celestia Mays has been licensed since 1990. She was appointed to the circuit court in January 2019 and, subsequently, became an associate judge in January 2020. Judge Mays is currently assigned to the Municipal Department – Fourth District (Maywood). Prior to her appointment, she had been a private practitioner with her own firm for 22 years, concentrating in family law, probate and real estate. Prior to that, she had clerked in California and worked for a law firm. She is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association; after holding other offices, was a board member of the Legal Assistance Foundation (now Legal Aid Chicago), and was
appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Committee on Character and Fitness. She has received many awards from the CCBA and other groups.

Judge Mays received positive marks from attorneys for her legal knowledge and ability and is highly regarded for her professionalism, diligence and her temperament. ISBA finds Judge Celestia L. Mays qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Highly Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Cong. Danny Davis
Dorothy Brown
LGBTQ Impact
Personal PAC

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