49th Ward Judicial Endorsements

We have made our endorsements for the judicial races and they are listed below.  You may notice that we did not endorse in two races, Bellows and O'Brien.  The Illinois Supreme Court ruled (2/28/06) that these races should be removed from the ballot because the vacancies were caused by an unconstitutional law regarding sitting judges filing for retention in the proper time limits. 

The candidates we support are a cross section of backgrounds in the law and in life as well.  Some are endorsed by the Democratic Party of Cook County and some are independent.  Our goal was to seek out the best and the brightest.  To be certain we achived that goal  we double checked our candidates with the Chicago Council of Lawyers, a group thought by some to be the toughest screeners and reviewers.  All of our candidates were found at least qualified.

Appellate Court Judge First District (vacancy of Hartigan)                   
Michael James Murphy        Mark 53   

Appellate Court Judge First District (vacancy of Hartman)                   
Joy Virginia Cunningham        Mark 61   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Burr)                   
Ann Collins Dole            Mark 66   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Jaffe)                   
Michael J. Howlett, Jr.        Mark 70   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Morrissey)                   
Mike McHale            Mark 72   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Nudelman)                   
James Patrick Murphy        Mark 73    

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Schiller)                   
Thomas J. Byrne            Mark 81   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Travis)                   
Martha A. Mills            Mark 84