January 14, 2012 – The current judge, an associate judge, a law professor, and two other attorneys – along with condo attorney Ellis Levin – are all running to fill the shoes of Circuit Court Judge Melvin J. Cole. Retiring in 2010, Cole was judge for the 8th sub-circuit, which stretches as far south as the Stevenson Expressway and as far north as the Edgewater community.

On December 6, 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court announced the appointment of James L. Kaplan to fill the vacancy. Kaplan, who previously was judge for the Illinois Court of Claims, is endorsed by International Union of Operating Engineers Local #399, 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, two other judges, three retired judges, and the president of Robert Morris University.

Also running are…

• Gideon Abraham Baum, who since 1998 has been an attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
• Helaine Berger, a Cook County Associate Judge since 1997.
• John H. Ehrlich, who since 2008 has been a Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago.
• Brad Trowbridge, a lawyer specializing in family law.

The Cook County Electoral Board recently sustained an objection against Marianne G. Dwyer, a graduate of John Marshall Law School who is now an attorney with Albert Brooks Friedman, Ltd. The objection, filed on December 12 by Chicago resident Maureen Joyce, detailed numerous alleged issues with Dwyer’s petition. Candidates had to submit nominating papers that included signatures of at least 1,000 voters. The objection also claims Dwyer mistakenly called the office she was seeking, “subcircuit judge in the 8th district” instead of “8th judicial subcircuit.”

All of the candidates are Democrats. No Republicans filed for their party’s nomination. (Click on a candidate’s name to visit his or her website.)

 Related story: Levin helps condo board president “bully,” say frustrated board members