Voters casting ballots for county, state and federal lawmakers in the General Election on Nov. 4 are reminded to continue towards the end of the ballot and vote for 70 nonpartisan judges looking to fill or retain judgeships.
Voters casting ballots for county, state and federal lawmakers in the General Election on Nov. 4 are reminded to continue towards the end of the ballot and vote for 70 nonpartisan judges looking to fill or retain judgeships.
Because judges do not have opponents, voters must cast a “yes” or “no” vote. Each judge seeking retention must receive at least a 60 percent “yes” vote to remain on the bench.
Retention judges preside over thousands of cases filed each year in Cook County. The cases include issues challenging the judicial system, child custody, criminal matters and divorce.
Among the 64 judges rated “Qualified” by the Chicago Bar Association are Diane Gordon Cannon, Sharon Johnson Coleman and Shelli Williams-Hayes.
Cannon was admitted to practice law in 1982 and was elected to the Circuit Court in 1996. She also teaches trial advocacy.
Williams-Hayes was admitted to practice law in 1989 and was also elected to the Circuit Court in 1996. Both are seeking to retain their seats.
Coleman was admitted to practice law in 1984 and became a judge in 1996. She has served in the Juvenile Division and hears cases in the Law Division. Coleman is looking to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court.
More information about judges seeking retention can be found at www.voteforjudges.org, or www.chicagobar.org.
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