Member Groups

Judicial Disqualification Standards

The Special Committee has been created in response to increasing public and professional attention to campaign contributions in judicial elections and the perception that such contributions may influence judicial decision making. The Committee’s mission is to:

  • consider judicial disqualification standards in Illinois and in particular, the interrelationship between 725 ILCS 5/114-5(d), 735 ILCS 5/2-1001(a)(3), Supreme Court Rule 63(3)(C), the Illinois Supreme Court decision in In re Marriage of O’Brien, 2011 IL 109039, 958 N.E.2d 647 (2011), and the U.S. Supreme Court case of Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., 556 U.S. 868 (2009);
  • evaluate how to clarify and improve such standards and related procedures in a manner which enhances public confidence in our judicial system;
  • report its findings and recommendations.

Read the Report and Recommendations of the ISBA's Special Committee on Judicial Disqualification Standards

Special Committee Roster

  • Hon. Gino L. DiVito, Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC, Chicago, Co-Chair
  • Warren Lupel, Much Shelist, Chicago, Co-Chair
  • John E. Thies, Webber & Thies PC, Urbana, Ex-Officio
  • Stephen L. Corn, Craig & Craig, Mattoon, Member
  • Hon. Celia G. Gamrath, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, Member
  • Mr. James Durell Green, Thomas Mamer & Haughey, LLP, Champaign, Member
  • Raylene D. Grischow, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Springfield, Member
  • Hon. Michael B. Hyman, Chicago, Member
  • Diane F. Klotnia, Miller Shakman & Beem LLP, Chicago, Member
  • Hon. Raymond J. McKoski, Lindenhurst, Member
  • Christopher T. Hurley, Hurley McKenna & Mertz, Chicago, Board Liaison
  • Charles J. Northrup, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield, Staff Liaison