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Kilbride rolls out endorsements from “champions of public safety,” including Republicans

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Illinois

* Scott Holland writes about Illinois Supreme Court races…

Third District Democrat Thomas Kilbride, who joined the court in 2000, is seeking his third term. His retention vote, from a partisan standpoint, appears to be the main event. Republicans haven’t been shy about calling for his defeat, and Monday the state GOP rolled out its Vote NO on Kilbride coalition, which includes “more than 500 elected officials, community leaders and activists,” headlined by all five Republican congressmen.

The group labels Kilbride as “Madigan’s Favorite Judge,” referring to the powerful House speaker and chairman of the state Democratic party, implying $2.8 million in campaign funding for Kilbride effectively bought his support to block changes to legislative map rules and “every major economic reform that could improve the state’s legal and business climates — namely pension reform, tort reform and medical malpractice caps.”

Kilbride just launched his retention campaign, championing his access initiatives and role in pushing to allow cameras in courtrooms and digitize legal records.

* Speaking of which…

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride is proud to receive endorsements from champions of public safety across the Third Judicial District as he seeks retention to the state’s highest court, with Democrats, Republicans, and non-partisan judicial leaders joining together to praise his record as a fair and independent judge dedicated to ensuring the legal system works for everyone.

To date, Kilbride’s supporters include law enforcement, elected officials from both parties, legal professionals, business leaders and other prominent members of local communities. The endorsements come ahead of the start of early voting on Sept. 24, the first day voters can cast ballots in-person and the first day election authorities can send mail-in ballots to registered voters. To retain his position on the state Supreme Court, Kilbride will need favorable votes from 60 percent of the voters who mark an answer to this question on their ballots.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of such a diverse group of law enforcement officials and members of the legal community,” said Kilbride. “In these highly polarized times, I am grateful that, though they may be Republicans, Democrats or Independents, they have set party aside to express their confidence in my fairness and belief that ‘equal justice under law’ is not merely a phrase carved into the marble above a court’s entryway, it is the bedrock principle that guides every decision I make. The people of Illinois deserve nothing less.”

“Some issues transcend partisanship, and that’s particularly the case when it comes to my support for Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride,” said LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton, a Republican. “My endorsement of Justice Kilbride is based on his record of treating everyone who comes before the court fairly and with the utmost respect for the rights our state and federal constitutions endow them. Fairness, honesty and integrity is what the men and women of law enforcement expect in a judge and Tom Kilbride has never let us down.”

“I have served 32 years in law enforcement, and the safety and sacrifices of the personnel under my charge is extremely personal to me. We put our lives on the line to protect residents of our county and to work to see justice done. It’s important that our judges are consistent, fair and balanced when they hear cases, and Justice Kilbride continually makes sure that everyone is heard, and justice is served. I have also been a long-time union member, and I know that Kilbride respects an honest, hard-day’s work, which I think is important. I think everyone should vote in favor of retaining Justice Kilbride on the state Supreme Court,” said Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley, a Democrat.

* Here’s the list, with Republicans labeled…

Adrienne W. Albrecht, Circuit Judge, 21st Judicial Circuit, Kankakee County

J. Jeffrey Allen, Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County

Paul Bauer, Marshall County State’s Attorney (R)

John Booker, Whiteside County Sheriff

Tim Bukowski, former Kankakee County Sheriff (R)

Gerald Bustos, Rock Island County Sheriff

Geno J. Caffarini, Bureau County State’s Attorney

David Clague, Knox County Sheriff

Terry A. Costello, Whiteside County State’s Attorney

Chris Doscotch, Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Peoria County

Kevin L. Doyle, Putnam County Sheriff

Stephen G. Evans, retired Chief Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, Henderson County (R)

Paula A. Gamora, Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County

James W. Glasgow, Will County State’s Attorney

Jodi Hoos, Peoria County State’s Attorney

Justin G. Jochums, Fulton County State’s Attorney

Mike Kelley, Will County Sheriff

Michael J. Kick, retired Chief Judge, 21st Judicial Circuit, Kankakee County (R)

Stephen Kouri, Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Tazewell County (R)

Meeghan N. Lee, Mercer County State’s Attorney

Robert N. Livas, retired Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial Court, Will County (R)

Paul Mangieri, retired Circuit Judge, 9th Judicial Circuit, Knox County

John L. McGehee, Circuit Judge, 14th Judicial Circuit, Rock Island County

John T. Pepmeyer, Knox County State’s Attorney

Jim Reed, Bureau County Sheriff

Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State’s Attorney

Richard C. Schoenstedt, Chief Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County (R)

Timothy J. Slavin, retired Circuit Judge, 14th Judicial Circuit, Whiteside County (R)

Tom Templeton, LaSalle County Sheriff (R)

Linnea E. Thompson, Circuit Judge, 14th Judicial Circuit, Rock Island County

David L. Vancil, Jr., Chief Judge, 9th Judicial Circuit, Henderson County (R)

Dora A. Villarreal-Nieman, Rock Island State’s Attorney

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 1:31 pm

Comments

This would have been more useful if many of those sheriffs didn’t proudly announce they weren’t going to enforce and COVID rules.

And isn’t that Will county states attorney the same one who refused to prosecute the joliet diocese for destruction of evidence in a child abuse case against a priest.

This list certainly landed with a resounding thump.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 1:52 pm
Democratic Sheriff and State’s Attorney in Whiteside County. That was unheard of years ago.

Comment by Former Downstater Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:18 pm
Arent judges prohibited from endorsing candidates for public office by the Code of Judicial Conduct?

Comment by Downstate hick Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:19 pm
=Aren’t judges prohibited from endorsing candidates for public office by the Code of Judicial Conduct?

Yes, BUT there are exceptions.

If the judge is a candidate herself, she may “publicly endorse or publicly oppose other candidates in a public election in which the judge or judicial candidate is running.”

Also, “a candidate for judicial office in a public election may permit the candidate’s name: (a) to be listed on election materials along with the names of other candidates for elective public office, and (b) to appear in promotions of the ticket.”

See: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/jib/Pages/Code.aspx

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:31 pm
The whole idea of having judgeships filled or retained by election is ludicrous. The process should be depoliticized by having judges appointed, the way the federal government does it.

Oh, wait…….

Comment by Bondguy Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 3:30 pm
McLaughlin and other faux Republicans shilling for a Democrat just lends more credence to Kass’ Illinois Combine theory.

Comment by Anon y mouse Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 3:34 pm
===just lends more credence===

LOL

C’mon.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 3:39 pm
I would be more impressed if the list had Oswego Willy on it.

Comment by pool boy Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 3:49 pm
A group that doesn’t remember that Kilbride wrote for the majority in Caballes. An opinion that briefly made police canines obsolete until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned some very bad law.

Comment by Winderweezle Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 4:22 pm
The folks opposing Kilbride have no idea how deeply admired and respected he is among the law enforcement and legal communities.

Comment by I am Batman Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 5:05 pm
@Batman most voters in his district couldn’t ID him period. I think you’ll find many judges are respected by legal communities

Comment by TaxTheMemes Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 5:09 pm
Tax, you are obviously not one of the thousands of people who gets handwritten cards and notes from Kilbride every year. He is beloved on a whole different level.

Comment by I am Batman Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 5:28 pm
In fact, a completely different a level: your imagination

Comment by TaxTheMemes Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:32 pm