Judicial Election Reform
In 2003, the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice released a comprehensive study and report detailing the influence of politics and money in Chicago judicial elections, "Electing Judges in Cook County: The Role of Money, Political Party and the Voters." The report analyzed the results of interviews with judges and unsuccessful judicial candidates, as well as a database comprised of 30 variables for each candidate that ran for judgeship in Chicago between 1988 and 2000 (including all campaign contributions and expenditures). By looking at factors such as campaign contributions, slating, expenditures and outcomes, we gain a better understanding of how judges are elected in Cook County and how those factors can influence voters.
Research and Advocacy
Chicago Appleseed is developing a proposal to create a Judicial Performance Commission for Cook County through which judicial candidates and judges seeking retention will be evaluated using a professional, research-based protocol that will be supervised by a non-partisan and diverse Commission comprised of a majority of non-lawyers. Chicago Appleseed is considering both a legislative initiative and a demonstration project to be used for the 2010 judicial primary and general election.
Publications
- Electing Judges in Cook County: The Role of Money, Political Party, and the Voters
- Electing Judges in Cook County - Executive Summary
News
No news entries at this time
Resources
Keynote Speaker Jane Howell's presentation from the April 20, 2009 MCLE Forum
Retention Packet provided by Cook County Clerk David Orr at the April 20, 2009 MCLE forum.