Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. This post may be updated before the primary as new information becomes available.
Steve Demitro - #192
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Steve Demitro is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Demitro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in May 2000. Since then, he has handled a variety of litigation matters. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic and integrity. He has presided over more than 200 arbitrations in his legal practice. He is well-regarded for his temperament and demeanor, and he is respected for his civic and community involvement. Mr. Demitro has sufficient legal knowledge and ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Steve Demitro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. Since that time, he has been a Solo Practitioner. His practice is concentrated on torts (personal injury), but he also handles some criminal law, domestic relations, real estate, probate, and chancery matters.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Demitro is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament. He is very active in community affairs. He has had substantial litigation experience, particularly in recent years. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Steve Demitro has been licensed since 2000. He has been a sole practitioner his entire career with a general practice handling mainly torts, but also some criminal, domestic relations, real estate, and probate matters. He was a hearing officer for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and an arbitrator for seventeen years. He is currently the Vice President of the Ukrainian National Museum, has lectured on legal topics to students, and is involved in other community organizations in the McKinley Park area.
He has limited bench trial experience. Most attorneys who have worked with him or appeared before him stated that he has good legal knowledge and ability, does research, and works well with different ethnic groups. He is always prepared, even keeled, and listens well.
The Committee finds Steve Demitro qualified for election 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: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
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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Viviana Martinez - #193
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Viviana Martinez is “Not Recommended” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Martinez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. For the past eleven years, she has worked for Cook County in various legal roles. Ms. Martinez has very little litigation experience, which she acquired early in her career. She also failed to demonstrate experience handling complex litigation. Ms. Martinez does not possess the depth and breadth of practice experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Viviana Martinez was admitted to practice in 2007. She currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Chicago Public Schools. Between 2018 and 2022, she served as a Cook County Government Special Assistant Legal Counsel. In that role, she acted as legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director in all matters related to the statutory authority and execution of powers of Cook County government departments and bureaus. She provided assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions. From 2013 to 2018 she served as a deputy general counsel within the Cook County President’s Office and she was Chief of Staff and General Counsel from 2010 to 2013. She served with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in 2008. She has served as a hearing officer for pre-disciplinary hearings for Cook County offices under the Cook County President Viviana Martinez is considered to have good legal ability and has excelled in the variety of professional positions she has had. She is reported to be well respected for her knowledge and for her managerial skills. She is praised for her temperament and is active in community activities. She has limited trial and litigation experience, but in looking at her successful career in its entirety, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Viviana Martinez has been licensed since 2007. Since 2022 she was appointed Deputy General Counsel for Chicago Public Schools, managing attorneys, and drafting CPS contracts. Prior to her recent appointment, she held various positions within Cook County government, including as Special Assistant for Legal Affairs in the Cook County Bureau of Administration (April 2018 to April 2022), Interim Director of the Cook County Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services (November 2018 to August 2019); Assistant Special Legal Counsel to the Office of Cook County Board President (March 2013 to April 2018); and Chief of Staff and General Counsel to then Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (December 2010 to March 2013). Before that she has been an assistant attorney general and in private practice. She is a member of various bar associations, and a past board members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Currently she is on the board of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and volunteers with other community groups.
She does not report having any jury trial experience, [but has] some non-jury trials from early in her career. Attorneys reported that, while due to the nature of her job, they had limited experience observing her legal knowledge and ability, within the confines of her current role, she did have good knowledge of, especially with the effects of proposed legislation. All consider her to be very diligent, with a good temperament, and described her as a strong proponent of promoting equity and diversity.
The Committee finds Viviana Martinez not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
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: Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
AMVOTE PAC
------------------------------------------------------"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
AMVOTE PAC
Jorge V. Cazares - #194
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Jorge V. Cazares is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Cazares was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990. Mr. Cazares has practiced law for more than 25 years. He is currently a partner at his law firm. He received nothing but positive reviews for his practice, demeanor, and legal abilities. All the references the committee interviewed praised the candidate calling him a role model, the utmost professional, a groundbreaker (first Latino attorney at his firm) and stated that the county would be “lucky” to have him as a Judge and fortunate due to his kindness, even temper and extreme professionalism.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Jorge Cazares was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990. He is also licensed in various federal courts. He first joined Altheimer & Gray as on associate, and then went to Pugh, Jones & Johnson from 1992-2006 where he became partner. He served as general counsel to the Chicago Housing Authority from 2007-2008 and then returned to Pugh, Jones from 2009 to 2020. He joined Hinshaw Culbertson as a partner in February 2020 handling complex civil cases, employment discrimination cases, and contract work. He was the Chief Ethics and Chief EEO Officer for the CHA from 2017-2019. He is active in pro bono activities.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. Cazares is considered to have very good legal ability. He has substantial trial work in complex cases and extensive motion practice. He is praised for his temperament and integrity. He is praised as an excellent trial attorney. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Jorge V. Cazares has been licensed since 1990. In 2020 he joined Hinshaw and Culbertson as a partner, handling diverse litigation matters. Prior to joining Hinshaw, he had worked in both the private and public sectors including with Altheimer and Gray, then Pugh, Jones and Hubbard which became Pugh, Jones and Johnson. In the public sector, he served as General Counsel to the Chicago Housing Authority from 2007 to 2008 and also as the CHA’s Chief of Ethics and Chief EEO officer from 2017 to 2019. He was also an arbitrator for Cook County for seven years.
He is currently on the board of the Chicago Police Foundation and is a past president and current board member of the Gads Hill Foundation. He received an award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago and also was recognized for service as president of the Loyola University Latino Alumni Board.
He has civil jury trial experience as lead counsel and has handled complex matters in both state and federal courts. While attorneys referred to him as straightforward, knowledgeable, hard-working, and diligent, there were concerns raised to the Committee regarding sensitivity to diversity.
The Committee finds Jorge Cazares not qualified for election 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: Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Endorsement
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
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