Organizing the Data: 6th Subcircuit - Vega vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022

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.

David S. Rodriguez - #192

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

David S. Rodriguez is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Rodriguez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984. Since his admission to the bar, he has practiced as a transactional lawyer in private practice and has held governmental lawyer positions with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, the Illinois Department of Banking, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He has served as a Commissioner with the Illinois Court of Claims, where he presided over disputes against the State of Illinois and various state agencies. Mr. Rodriguez is an experienced attorney and is qualified to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

David Rodriguez was admitted to practice in 1984. He served as a Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims between 2011 and 2017. He also served as First Deputy Commissioner of the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate from 1999 to 2005. From 1989 to 2005, he was Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. From 1989 to 1999, he also served as an Assistant Attorney General handling litigation matters, including personal injury, reals estate, and commercial matters. He is very active in community activities.

Mr. Rodriguez .is considered to have good legal ability and knowledgeable. He is widely praised for his temperament. His litigation experience in more complex matters occurred while he was with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, but he was praised for his abilities as a Commissioner with the Court of Claims which has been described as being akin to a role as an administrative law judge. His experience with non-litigation matters has been with complex financial matters and he is reported to have done a solid job. In looking at the totality of his career, it appears that Mr. Rodriguez has had a variety of relevant experiences including litigation. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

David S. Rodriguez has been licensed since 1984. Since 2006 he has been a sole practitioner with a general practice focusing on civil litigation, real estate and business transactions. Prior to opening his solo practice, he had been the First Deputy Commission of the Illinois Office Banking and Real Estate from 1999 to 205; an assistant attorney general from 1989 to 1999; a sole practitioner from 1985 to 1989; and a tax consultant with two different firms from 1983 to 1985. In addition, from 2011 to 2017 he served as a Commissioner on the Court of Claims. He is a member of various bar associations and active in community affairs; he serves on the Board of Directors of Aspira Illinois and the Hispanic Health Alliance and the AIDS Pastoral Care Network.

He has litigation experience in both jury and bench trials and has handled two appeals. Attorneys report that he has good legal knowledge and is diligent and professional.

The Committee finds David Rodriguez qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association:

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:

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement

IVI-IPO

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Kerrie Maloney Laytin - #193

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Laytin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Laytin served from 2002-2019 in the Appeals Division, City of Chicago’s Law Department. Judge Laytin has extensive appellate court experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, diligence, and thoughtful and deliberate demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Hon. Kerrie Maloney Laytin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019 and now serves as an Associate Judge, elected by the Circuit Judges. Before becoming a judge, she served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago’s Department of Law, where she practiced appellate law on behalf of the City of Chicago, City employees, and City agencies.

Previously, she worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (2000-2002), and volunteered for Columbia Law School, Social Justice Initiatives, as the regional adviser in Chicago for students involved in government and public interest careers.

Judge Laytin is considered to have very good legal ability. As a lawyer, she was praised for legal skills and for her professional demeanor, even in the midst of heated legal matters. She is reported to have good judgment and has the ability to resolve contested disputes. Her appellate career has demonstrated the analytical thinking and management skills necessary to be a good Circuit Judge. She has been praised in her role as a judge. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Kerrie Maloney Laytin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2019. She is currently assigned to the Municipal Department-Traffic Section having been appointed as an associate judge in 2017. From 2000 to 2002 she worked for the Legal Assistance Foundation; from 2002 until her appointment, she was an assistant corporation counsel to senior counsel in the Appeals Division. Before being licensed in Illinois, she clerked for two federal judges and was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice. She is a member of various bar associations and participates in community activities.

Judge Laytin is well-regarded by attorneys for her legal knowledge and ability to deal with substantive issues. She is considered to be professional, courteous and to have high ethical standards.

The Committee finds Kerrie Maloney Laytin 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: 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: 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
Personal PAC

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