2026 Primary Election

Tazewell County Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls

Tazewell County is in the 4th Judicial District and 10th Circuit.

ISBA Judicial Evaluations: Ratings are the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association.

ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: Opinions expressed are of those lawyers who chose to respond and not of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Learn more about ISBA Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls

10th Circuit Judicial Advisory Polls

The 10th Circuit encompasses Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell counties.

Vacancies

Vespa Vacancy

Timothy J. Cusack – Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Timothy J. Cusack
CriteriaScore
Recommendation 89.08
Integrity 95.83
Impartiality 90.91
Temperament 88.43
Legal Ability 89.17
Court Management 87.39
Sensitivity to Diversity & Bias 94.44
Number of Respondents 125
Michael P. Vespa – Not Recommended
Advisory Poll Details for Michael P. Vespa
CriteriaScore
Recommendation 35.90
Integrity 85.00
Impartiality 82.89
Temperament 82.72
Legal Ability 37.35
Court Management 67.14
Sensitivity to Diversity & Bias 83.78
Number of Respondents 88

ISBA Judicial Evaluations: The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) utilizes a rigorous multi-step process to evaluate applicants for appellate and supreme court judge vacancies before making recommendations about them to the public. The process considers the candidate’s application, a comprehensive investigation including interviews with lawyers knowledgeable about the candidate, and a formal interview with the candidate. Finally, the full committee reviews and finalizes its ratings before making any recommendation. The ISBA’s evaluation process is designed to recommend candidates that will uphold the integrity and fairness of the judiciary.  The ISBA is a statewide voluntary association of lawyers and legal professionals, and its recommendations represent solely the ISBA’s opinion.

ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The advisory poll is conducted electronically and by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election. Illinois licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any Illinois licensed attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 60 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 60 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys.

Learn more about the methods used to rate candidates