Organizing the Data: 9th Subcircuit - Cleveland Bernstein vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022

On the ballot this will be listed as the Cleveland vacancy, but it has been variously referred to by different evaluating groups. 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.

Sanjay Tailor - #191

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Sanjay T. Tailor is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Tailor was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and was engaged in private practice prior to his appointment to the bench as an Associate Judge in 2003. Judge Tailor served in the Chancery Division, Municipal Division, Domestic Relations, and Law Division prior to his current position as Acting Presiding Judge of the County Division. Judge Tailor was appointed as a Cook County Circuit Judge in January 2021. Judge Tailor is highly respected by his fellow judges and the lawyers who appear before him in court. Judge Tailor is an experienced jurist highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, integrity, diligence, work ethic, and excellent demeanor and temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021, after serving as an Associate Judge between 2003 and 2021. He is currently Presiding Judge of the County Division, where he hears cases concerning mental health, election, adoption, civil asset forfeiture, property tax, name change, and other civil matters. Previously, he was assigned to the Chancery Division (2015-2020), the Law Division (2009-2015), the Domestic Relations Division (2006-2009), and the First Municipal Division (2003-2006). From 1996 to 2003, he was an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Civil Actions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. He was also in-house counsel in the Law Department of the First National Bank of Chicago (1994-1995) and an Associate in the Special Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Workout Group at Chapman and Cutler (1991-1994). He is a member of numerous bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (founding member, advisory council).

Judge Tailor is a highly respected jurist who is praised for his knowledge, his preparedness, and his temperament. He has excelled in every judicial position to which he has been assigned. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Sanjay Tailor has been licensed since 1991. He was appointed to the circuit court as a full judge in January 2021 and is currently the Presiding Judge of the County Division. Prior to the appointment, he had been serving as an associate judge since 2003 in First Municipal, Domestic Relations, Law Division, and Chancery. Prior to his appointment, he had worked as an assistant state’s attorney, for First National Bank and Chapman and Cutler. He is a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Education, and also served on the Court’s Committee on Judicial Performance for six years. He was a founding member of the South Asian Bar Association. He is active with other judicial organizations and has lectured on legal topics and taught at Loyola.

Lawyers appearing before him describe him as having superior legal knowledge, being always prepared, and excellent with complex cases. He has a calm demeanor and is always on time.

The Committee finds Sanjay Tailor highly 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: Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Highly Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
Indo-American Democratic Organization
IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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Ann Buran-Vongher - #192

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Ann Buran-Vongher is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Buran-Vongher was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989. She was an Assistant Public Defender for 31 years, handling felony and misdemeanor matters. Ms. Buran-Vonger has spent the last 1.5 years as a solo practitioner. She was praised by both judges and adversaries for her legal knowledge, temperament, and work ethic.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Ann Buran-Vongher was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1989 and has been a solo practitioner since December 2020. She does criminal defense work exclusively. She had been a Cook County Assistant Public Defender for 31 years practicing in a variety of cases and locations including felony trial work at the Criminal Courts Building, the Juvenile Court, the 2nd Municipal District in Skokie, and Preliminary Hearings.

Ann Buran-Vongher is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her professionalism, her knowledge of the law, and for her diligence. She is reported to be a zealous advocate for her clients while being praised for her integrity. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ann Buran-Vongher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She is currently a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense, after retiring from the Cook County Public Defender in December 2020. Her assignment as an assistant public defender included Felony Trial in the Second Municipal District (Skokie Courthouse), the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Juvenile Court and Preliminary Hearings. She was a union steward for AFSCME Local 3315 and active with animal rescue groups.

She has jury, bench and quasi-trial experience in criminal matters, including some complex cases. Attorneys praised her legal ability, zealous advocacy for her clients, and her professionalism. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her experience.

The Committee finds Ann Buran-Vongher 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: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association:

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

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