Updated June 17, 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.
Thomas More Donnelly - #185
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Thomas More Donnelly is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Donnelly was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986. He has been an Associate Judge since 2003. Judge Donnelly has served in a number of divisions of the Circuit Court over his judicial career and is currently assigned to Law Division Jury Trials, a role in which he presides over major jury trials. He also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University’s law school and is involved in other law-related public service activities. Judge Donnelly is very well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, work ethic, diligence and excellent temperament.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Hon. Thomas M. Donnelly was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986. He was elected as an Associate Judge in 2003 and was promoted to Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. He is currently assigned to the Commercial Calendar Section of the Law Division. His previous judicial assignments include Traffic Court (2003), the Domestic Violence Trial Courtroom (2003), the Supplementary Proceedings and Miscellaneous Remedies Call for the First Municipal District (2003-2008), Misdemeanor Jury Call in the First Municipal District (2008-2009), and Civil Jury Trials in the First Municipal District (2009-2017). Prior to becoming a judge, he was an Assistant Public Defender (1988-2000). Judge Donnelly has served on the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee for nearly 30 years and has chaired the legal ethics committees of both the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. He currently serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Judge Donnelly is considered to have very good legal ability and is exceptionally knowledgeable. His opinions are reported to be excellent and he is praised for his integrity. He is reported to have good courtroom management skills, and a good judicial temperament. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Thomas More Donnelly has been licensed since 1986. He was appointed to the circuit court in 2021 after serving as an associate judge since 2003; he also served a brief time as an appointed circuit court judge in 2000. He has been assigned to the Law Division – Jury Section since 2017. His prior assignment include First Municipal, Civil Jury Trials, Misdemeanor Jury Call, and Supplementary Proceedings and Miscellaneous Remedies; Domestic Violence; and Traffic Division. Prior to becoming a judge, he had been an assistant public defender and a law clerk at the appellate level for the Hon. Mary Ann McMorrow. He has served on the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee for thirty years, taught trial advocacy, written and taught classes on legal ethics. He currently serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College. In 2018 he received the Harold Sullivan Award from the Illinois Judges Association, and in 2019 was given the Impact Award from the Center for Disability and Elder Law. He is a past president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and has served as a Board member of the Illinois Judges Association.
Attorneys contacted reported that he knows the law, is thorough, and has a great grasp of evidentiary issues and that his written opinions are excellent. He has a reputation as a person of great integrity who listens, is always prepared, and treats all with respect.
The Committee finds Thomas More Donnelly 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: Highly Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended
Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party
IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
Indo-American Democratic Organization
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC
------------------------------------------------------IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
Indo-American Democratic Organization
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC
Claudia Silva-Hernandez - #186
Campaign Website
Candidate Statement
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Claudia Silva-Hernandez 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:
Claudia Silva-Hernandez did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Claudia Silva-Hernandez declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Claudia Silva-Hernandez 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
Endorsement
Chicago Federation of Labor
------------------------------------------------------Meridth Vanae Hammer - #187
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Meridth Hammer is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Hammer was admitted to practice law in Indiana in 2001. She was a sole practitioner with a focus on probate, trust, estate planning and real estate. Ms. Hammer became licensed to practice law in Illinois in March 2020. She recently served as Associate General Counsel at the Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Ms. Hammer’s failure to disclose personal litigation along with concerns about her limited litigation experience resulted in the “Not Recommended” finding.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Meridth Vanae Hammer did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Meridth Vanae Hammer declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Meridth Vanae Hammer 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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