Organizing the Data: Countywide Leeming 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.

Rena Marie Van Tine - #175

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Rena Van Tine is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Van Tine was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986, became an Associate Judge in 2001 and was appointed a Circuit Court Judge in February 2021. Prior to becoming a judge, she had extensive litigation experience. Judge Van Tine was assigned to the Child Protection Division for 17 years. She currently sits in the Law Division. Judge Van Tine is an experienced jurist well regarded for her work ethic, integrity, and temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Hon. Rena Van Tine was elected to be an Associate Judge in 2001, and was appointed to be a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. She is assigned to the Law Division, Jury Trial Section. She served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 12 years before becoming a judge, prosecuting criminal cases and defending medical malpractice cases against Cook County Hospital. She also served as Special Counsel to then Illinois State Comptroller Daniel W. Hynes.

Judge Van Tine was a well respected Assistant State’s Attorney before becoming a judge with a reputation of having good legal ability, temperament, and integrity. As a judge, she is praised for her legal knowledge, her temperament, and for her court management skills. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Rena Marie Van Tine was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in February 2021 after serving as an associate judge since 2001. She is currently assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section, after a previous assignment in Child Protection.

Prior to ascending to the bench, she had served as an assistant state’s attorney and as Special Counsel to the State Comptroller. She is a past president of the Asian American Bar Association and on the Board of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and has been active with other bar associations. In 2021 she received the Mary Heftel Hooton award from the WBAI and in 2019 received the Sandra Otaka Leadership Award from the AABA. She also teaches as judicial conferences. Lawyers report that she knows the law and how to apply it, and issues thoughtful rulings. She is considered to be fair and impartial, with high character.

The Committee finds Rena Marie Van Tine highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

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 Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Highly Qualified

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

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

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Wende Williams - #176

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Wende Williams declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Wende Williams did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds Wende Williams Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Wende Williams (FKA: Wendelin DeLoach) declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines Wende Williams is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
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