Voters Turn Out for Candidates for Judge Town Hall Meeting

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014 , Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014 , Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014

L-R Atty. Nyshana Sumner, Judge Alfred Swanson; Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle; Atty. Mary Alice Melchor; Judge Andrea M. Buford; Judge Lewis Nixon; Larissa M. Tyler, Managing Editor, Chicago Citizen Newspaper/QBG Foundation Exec. Dir.; Judge LaGuina Clay-Herron; Atty. Patricia S. Spratt; Atty. Kristal Rivers; Atty. William "Bill" Raines; Judge Sharon O. Johnson; Atty. Steven G. Watkins; Atty. Diana Rosario and Judge Cynthia Y. Cobbs.
L-R Atty. Nyshana Sumner, Judge Alfred Swanson; Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle; Atty. Mary Alice Melchor; Judge Andrea M. Buford; Judge Lewis Nixon; Larissa M. Tyler, Managing Editor, Chicago Citizen Newspaper/QBG Foundation Exec. Dir.; Judge LaGuina Clay-Herron; Atty. Patricia S. Spratt; Atty. Kristal Rivers; Atty. William "Bill" Raines; Judge Sharon O. Johnson; Atty. Steven G. Watkins; Atty. Diana Rosario and Judge Cynthia Y. Cobbs.

With the March 18 Gubernatorial Primary Election just days away, voters turned out last Saturday morning for the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s, Candidates for Judge - Town Hall Meeting held at the newspaper’s Chatham headquarters, 806 E. 78th St.

The event was held to provide information about some of the current Cook County judges who are running to retain their seats and attorneys who are seeking to become a judge.

The Hon. Judge Lewis Nixon moderated the event and the Hon. Judge LaGuina Clay-Herron, who originally suggested and urged the Chicago Citizen Newspaper to produce the judges’ forum, served as guest speaker. Neither Nixon or Clay-Herron are running for re-election.

“I suggested the forum because of my experience of running for judge,” Clay-Herron told the audience. “When I would try to get signatures for my petitions, people would say'"who are you, why should I sign this, why should I come out, and where have you been all this time?"'

Clay-Herron also thanked the Chicago Citizen Newspaper CEO/Publisher, William Garth, Sr. and the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s Managing Editor, Larissa M. Tyler, who is Clay-Herron's sister, for successfully producing the well attended event. Tyler is also the Executive Director of the QBG Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Chicago Citizen Newspaper.

"We of course, as the Chicago Citizen Newspaper have done our research on these fine candidates for judge presented to you today," Tyler said to attendees. "But we also wanted to allow you (the public) a chance to dig deeper and to have an up-close and personal opportunity to ask questions and find out more about these candidates so that on Election day, you are completely confident casting a vote that's not simply based on a candidates last name or on their gender."

Garth addressed the audience saying, “I want to thank you all for coming out this morning. This is Larissa Tyler’s show. She runs the operation and whenever she puts on great programs like this, I always support it so thank you all for coming out.”

Judge Nixon addressed the audience briefly before he began moderating the program.

“ I’m a Circuit Court Judge and have been on the bench for 13 years as a supervisory judge in the area of foreclosures," said Nixon. “I’m glad that all these candidates wanted to come this morning and give you some time to talk about themselves. I also want to thank Larissa, Judge Clay-Herron, and Mr. Garth for allowing us to conduct this forum this morning.”

The panel, consisting of attorneys and judges seeking to fill seats in Cook County's Circuit and Appellate Courts, addressed the audience who had the opportunity to delve into the views, philosophies and personalities of the candidates who were also allowed time to provide brief summaries on their background and experiences in the field of law.

Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr., Cook County Board of Review, attended the forum as well. Rogers is running unopposed for re-election but said he still feels it’s necessary to ask for the support of voters and that he wants voters to tell him what he’s doing right and what he’s doing wrong. Rogers also reminded the audience that they have a right to challenge their property taxes. He also discussed the importance and significance of the judge's forum.

“Two of these candidates are appellate court candidates. The appellate court is the final opportunity to have your case tried,” said Rogers. “Very few cases go up to the supreme court. So I think from your standpoint, what’s very important is that after you hear them, is the fact that they respected you enough to be here. They respect your community and your vote. Despite the fact of knowing there’s going to be a low turnout election, they wanted to come out and tell you who they are and why they are asking for your support.”

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