Results of the poll and other evaluations for judicial candidates in the November 2^nd election, as they become available, are being posted at <www.isba.org/judges/2004.html>.

(September 10, 2004) -- Candidates for judicial retention outside Cook County in the November 2 election have been rated in a poll of attorneys conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

The advisory poll is conducted by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA may request a ballot.

Attorneys are asked to respond only if they have sufficient knowledge about a candidate's qualifications for judicial office to give a fair, informed opinion. Seven questions on the ballot measure such qualities as legal ability, integrity, impartiality, and judicial temperament.

Candidates are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Candidates receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and candidates receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended."

"I urge voters to consider these poll results to become better informed about the judicial candidates," said ISBA President, Ole Bly Pace, III of Sterling. "It is important that we maintain a high quality judiciary,"

Opinions expressed in the poll are of those lawyers who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Poll results are also available online at www.isba.org/judges/2004.html.