Organizing the Data: Countywide McGury 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.

Ruth Isabel Gudino - #180

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Ruth I. Gudino is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Gudino was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995. After short tenures in the Public Guardian’s Office and UAW-GM Legal Services Plan, she joined the Office of the State’s Attorney in 1998. She tried over 300 cases, including more than 50 jury trials, to verdict. She served as Supervisor of the Juvenile Justice Bureau and of Criminal Prosecutions at the Maywood Courthouse. Judge Gudino was appointed to Cook County Circuit Court Judge in October 2021. Judge Gudino is well regarded for her legal knowledge, extensive trial experience, and excellent demeanor and temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Hon. Ruth Isabel Gudino was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1995. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. For a majority of her career, Judge Gudino had been an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She handled litigation in child support, juvenile delinquency matters, and traffic and misdemeanor offenses, though more recently she has focused on felony prosecution. In 2013, she became the Director of Legal Hiring for the Office. Ms. Gudino also has experience handling real estate and litigation for General Motors’ Union employees.

Judge Gudino is reported to have good legal ability. She is praised for having an even keel temperament and for being hard-working. As a prosecutor, she has extensive litigation experience in a variety of criminal law matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ruth Isabel Gudino was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995. In 2021 she was appointed to the circuit court and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. Prior to her appointment, she was the Supervisor of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau for the State’s Attorney’s Office in the Fourth District (Maywood), where she had also been Deputy Supervisor. She had been with the SAO since 2001; prior to that she worked for the Cook County Public Guardian and the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plan, as well as another stint as an assistant state’s attorney.

She has taught law classes, and is a member of various bar associations, having served on committees with several of them. She has substantial criminal jury and bench experience. Attorneys report that she is an excellent attorney with good litigation skills, professional, and a hard worker.

The committee finds Ruth Isabel Gudino qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of 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: Highly Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Highly Recommended

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
United Hellenic Voters of America
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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Chelsey Renece Robinson - #181

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Chelsey R. Robinson is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Robinson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and is currently in private practice concentrating in criminal and family law. Ms. Robinson has a wide range of practice experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law and diligence.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Chelsey R. Robinson was admitted to practice in 1996. She is a Partner in a small firm where she handles civil and criminal litigation matters. Her practice also includes bankruptcy and employment discrimination matters in federal court. She is widely praised for her legal ability and for her knowledge of the law. She has litigation experience in a variety of matters in both state and federal courts. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Chelsey R. Robinson has been licensed since 1996. She is a founding partner of Owens & Robinson, a general practice handling both criminal and civil matters. She is also a legal consultant to the Judge Mathis television program. She is a member of some bar associations, a volunteer at the Juvenile Detention Center and is active with other community organizations. She has limited jury and bench trial activities and limited experience with complex matters.

While she is considered to be ethical and honest, attorneys gave mixed comments as to the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience.

The Committee finds Chelsey R. Robinson not 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: 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

Endorsements

IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide

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