Letter to the Editor

January 31, 2008                       

Editorial Page Editors
Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times
Via e-mail

Dear Editor:

Tuesday’s primary election is historic, and a record Illinois voter turnout is predicted.  In addition to voting for a presidential candidate, voters will select candidates for a host of other national, state and local offices. 

Often forgotten among the many candidates on the ballot are the men and women running for judicial offices.  Regrettably, statistics show that many voters don’t take the time to vote for judicial candidates.  Judges make critical decisions on a daily basis which directly affect the lives, liberty and livelihood of all of us.  Therefore, it is important to take the time to learn about the qualifications of judicial candidates and vote only for qualified men and women to serve as judges.  Bar association evaluations and newspaper endorsements serve as a reliable, independent and relevant source of information about the qualifications of judicial candidates.

As a public service to help inform and educate Cook County Voters, the Illinois State Bar Association with the 10-member Alliance of Bar Associations and the Chicago Bar Association conduct comprehensive peer review evaluations of all candidates running for judicial office.  This thorough review process involves a detailed investigation into the candidates’ backgrounds and in-person interviews to ensure that each candidate possesses the integrity, legal knowledge, ability and skills required for judicial service.  These ratings are readily available to the public online at www.voteforjudges.org or at www.chicagobar.org. 

We encourage voters to download our ratings and take them with you to the poll.  They will provide an invaluable guide regarding the qualifications of the many judicial candidates running in Tuesday’s primary.

Please remember to vote only for judicial candidates found “qualified” by our associations.