EDITORIAL
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Know your judges

Vote for A, B, C, D ... or?

In a few weeks, Illinois primary voters will choose candidates for governor, for Congress, for the legislature and several other offices. Most voters will have a pretty firm opinion about the high-profile races. But down the ballot, they'll face the names of some complete strangers. Those strangers are running for judge. We're working now to make those strangers more familiar to you.

We're evaluating judicial candidates, and we'll make endorsements soon. But let's face it, a lot of voters will do something akin to throwing darts at the board. They'll pick the nicest sounding name. Or the one that sounds vaguely familiar. Or they'll skip the judicial races altogether.

In one subcircuit race in Cook County, 12 Democrats are running. There are eight Democrats in another race.

Which one has the best command of the law? Who will be fair and impartial? Who won't hold a grudge ... or take a bribe? Candidate A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H ...?

This page has long argued that Illinois should drop judicial elections and go to a system in which judges are appointed on merit. Illinois is one of 27 states that elect judges.

Elections force judicial candidates to raise large sums of money, creating the risk of favoritism on the bench. Elections give power to political parties that endorse judicial candidates and expect loyalty in return.

Illinois has seen some gaudy examples of special interests bankrolling judicial races. Candidates spent $9.4 million on a 2004 race for the Illinois Supreme Court and $3.3 million on a 2006 state appellate court race.

Illinois needs a constitutional amendment to create a merit selection system for judges.

That effort has gone nowhere. But it might be in line for a boost.

More . . .
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These primaries are under way in many places.  Get to know the candidates' position on issues and their real qualifications, experience, nature... before you vote!!

Please post similar information for your local areas as you find them.  Thanks.