Updated March 10, 2018
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.
Debra A. Seaton - #159
Campaign Website (newly added)
Debra A. Seaton: In her own words
Tribune Questionnaire
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Debra A. Seaton is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Seaton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986. Judge Seaton’s experience includes service as an Assistant Public Defender in Kane County and Cook County and as a private practitioner concentrating in criminal law for approximately 10 years. Judge Seaton was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017 and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law and legal experience.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Debra A. Seaton was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986. She was appointed to the bench as a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in May 2017. Between 2010 and the time of her appointment to the bench, she served as a supervisor at the Legal Resources Division of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, where she also worked from 1988 to 2000. She has also worked as a solo practitioner, focusing on defending death penalty cases (2000-2010); as an Assistant Public Defender in the Kane County Public Defender’s Office in Geneva, IL (1987-1988); and as an Assistant Appellate Public Defender at the Office of the State Appellate Defender, in Mt. Vernon, IL (1986-1987). She has provided pro bono services at the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, and is a participant in the ABA Mock Trials.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Judge. Seaton is considered to have good legal ability. She is reported to be very knowledgeable, and is a zealous but highly ethical practitioner. She has substantial litigation experience in complex matters, and is praised for her trial skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Debra Ann Seaton was admitted in 1986. She was appointed to the circuit court in May 2017 and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic Section. Prior to her appointment, she was an attorney supervisor with the Cook County Public Defender after previously working as an assistant public defender in both Kane and Cook counties, in private practice and with the State Appellate Defender. She has substantial jury and bench trial experience, and is considered to be smart with good legal knowledge, impartial and level-headed. She has also taught trial skills. Judge Seaton is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Highly Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | 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 Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago NOW
Personal PAC
IVI-IPO
------------------------------------------------------Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago NOW
Personal PAC
IVI-IPO
Sheree D. Henry - #160
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Sheree D. Henry is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Henry was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and served for 18 years as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender and four years with the Public Guardian’s Office. Ms. Henry is well regarded for her integrity, calm demeanor, legal knowledge, and passionate advocacy on behalf of her clients.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Sheree D. Henry was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994, Since 1999, she has been an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County Public Defender's Office, where she represents indigent clients in felony cases. She has also worked as an Assistant Public Guardian in the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office (1995-1999), where she represented abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Henry is considered to have good legal ability with substantial bench and jury litigation experience in a variety of criminal law matters. Respondents say generally that she is a good lawyer with good trial skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Sheree D. Henry was admitted in 1994. She is currently an assistant public defender, after initially spending four year with the Cook County Public Guardian. She has criminal jury and bench trial experience, including in complex cases, and has worked in diversion courtrooms. She was also a member of the Illinois National Guard. Attorneys made favorable comments about her legal knowledge and temperament; she is considered to be smart and a hard worker, with sensitivity to racial and ethnic issues, and good integrity. Ms. Sheree D. Henry is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Ubi O'Neal - #161
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Ubi O’Neal 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:
Ubi O’Neal did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ubi O’Neal declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Ubi O’Neal is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Not Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| 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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