Take advantage of the CBA’s Green Guide
No matter your political affiliation, I think we can all agree that voting is important. Next week, Illinois gets its chance to impact the 2016 presidential election. Lost in the fray of these highly charged presidential campaigns are the local jobs up for grabs. With the exception of a few big-ticket names, it’s safe to assume our local judicial candidates will largely go unnoticed by comparison.
The sudden passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has brought up big questions about when and who will be appointed. The folks in D.C. will take care of that. But unlike D.C., Illinois is in the minority of states that elects judges instead of appointing them. You’d be doing yourself and your fellow citizens a big favor by doing a little homework.
The Chicago Bar Association provides a great public service called the CBA Green Guide, compiled by a semi-autonomous committee of the CBA that conducts evaluations of candidates and sitting judges up for election in Cook County. Inside you’ll find an overview of political affiliations, legal experience, familiarity with the law, and more about the people seeking your vote. The guide even distinguishes candidates with a semi-endorsement by deeming people “Highly Qualified,” “Qualified,” and “Not Recommended,” all of it based on a screening process developed by the CBA.
It’s in your best interests to stay informed. If you plan to vote this Tuesday, take advantage of what the CBA is offering. The more we know, the better off we’ll be.