For many of us, the most difficult vote to cast is a vote for a judge. Ironically, no other elected officer can have such a direct and crucial impact on our lives. Think for a minute: Who has the ultimate control over your divorce or your parental rights? Who makes the final decision if you’re the victim of a crime or accused of one? Who allows you to adopt a child, and who sorts out the estate of a loved one who passes away without a will? In every case, it’s going to be a judge.
Despite the great importance of electing wise, impartial judges to our courts, it’s hard to find reliable information — or even any information — about judges who are up for election and retention. But never fear! The Illinois State Bar Association has got your back. Each election year the ISBA compiles evaluations for each judge appearing on your ballot. They provide ratings for each judge; one rating given by a committee of evaluators and one rating determined by surveying attorneys who have worked directly with each judge.
The judges on your ballot have mostly received good ratings from the committee and from their colleagues, with two big exceptions — Jason Helland, who’s running against Justice Linda Davenport, and John Costello, Jr., running against Justice Lance Peterson. Judge Costello refused to participate in the evaluation process and therefore the ISBA was unable to recommend him. Judge Helland, on the other hand, received a great deal of negative feedback from attorneys who have worked with him. Take a look! Nearly half of the 178 attorneys who responded found that Judge Helland didn’t have the legal ability to meet the requirements of his job. Ouch.
If we were Judge Helland’s employers, we might decide to fire him. Oh wait — we ARE his employers! Hmm. Read about him and all the other judges on your ballot at the Illinois State Bar Association.