06.30.10 Progress through partnership
Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County Offers a New Way of Evaluating Judges
A newly-established civic organization will give voters more and better information about candidates for judgeships. The Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County, composed of seventeen distinguished lawyers, civic leaders, and academics, is now compiling detailed evaluations of judges who are expected to seek retention in office this year. The commission's work is supported by a grant from the Joyce Foundation, was planned through a joint effort of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, and is staffed by the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice.
The new Judicial Performance Commission is a pilot project designed to determine whether accurate, unbiased information about the judges will attract the attention of the voters and the news media and thus result in better informed elections. The Commission's evaluations of judicial performance will also be useful to court administrators, supervisory judges, and the individual judges, themselves, in improving the Cook County courts. An evaluation might result, for example, in assignment to duties for which the judge is better suited. The Commission is modeled on a system that has been used successfully in Colorado.
The commission is chaired by Leonard Schrager, professor emeritus and former dean of the John Marshall Law School:
"I am pleased to be part of this commission and to participate in a program designed to provide sufficient information to voters so they may make informed decisions. This is the heart and soul of the democratic process."
For more information about the Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County, please contact Malcolm Rich at 312-988-6552 or by email at malcolmrich@chicagoappleseed.org.
We want you...to volunteer
We've very excited about the progress the Judicial Performance Commission is making. Our email survey of attorneys that have appeared before judicial retention candidate has garnered more than 1,200 responses already, and we anticipate hundreds more will be collected as the commission's work progresses. In addition, we've completed more than 200 telephone interviews with attorneys who have appeared before the judicial retention candidates. Feedback from interviewees and survey respondents has been positive. The project is on track to improve the quality of public information about judicial retention candidates and to provide in-depth feedback to the judges themselves about their performance on the bench.
As we move into the final four weeks of data collection and interviewing, the need for volunteer assistance with the project is critical. If you have a few pro bono hours to devote over the next month and would like to assist the Judicial Performance Commission, please contact Elizabeth Monkus, via email (emonkus@chicagoappleseed.org) or phone (312-988-6614).
Creation of the Presidents' Circle
Last week, past presidents of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers came together for the inauguration of the Presidents' Circle, a new fundraising initiative designed to support and sustain both organizations. This intimate event took place at the home of Chicago Appleseed Board member Rich Vitkus and wife Ann Allison, who graciously opened their home to over 30 guests.
The evening was a success with over $13,500 pledged to the Presidents' Circle. Thanks to everyone who attended, and thanks to Rich and Ann for hosting the event! You can find pictures of the event online at our blog and on facebook.