Steven A. Kozicki
James E. Hanlon Jr.
In the days leading up to early voting in the Nov. 8 general election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. If a candidate did not respond to a request for an updated questionnaire for the general election, the responses provided by the same candidate during the primary election will be used. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports. All responses will be available to subscribers and non-subscribers at chicagolawbulletin.com.
Name: James E. Hanlon Jr.
Age: 56
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Northbrook
Current position: Director of client services, Novus Law LLC
Past legal experience: Novus Law, 2010-present; sole practitioner, 2008-10; Howrey LLP, 2002-08; Katten, Muchin, Rosenman, 1984-2002
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016: $75,919.63.
Campaign funds spent, July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016: $34,325.62
Law school: DePaul University College of Law, 1984
Campaign website: HanlonforJudge.com
Family: Married to Circuit Judge Kay M. Hanlon; sons Kevin, 20, and Jack, 18.
Hobbies/interests: Hockey
Have you ever run for office before?
I ran for Cook County Circuit Court judge, 12th Subcircuit, in 2014, narrowly losing the Democratic primary.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
Each bar association has evaluated me as either qualified, recommended or highly recommended (in the primary election). I think my key personality traits — curiosity, optimism and even-keeled temperament — are well-suited to service on the bench. My litigation experience, almost 32 years of handling cases from A (antitrust) to Z (zoning), has prepared me well to serve in any courtroom in our county.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I have litigated and tried cases before many judges. The quality of the judge often makes a difference not just to the quality of the experience for the parties and their lawyers, but on the time, cost and sense of justice they experience. I think that I can become the kind of judge that lawyers and litigants will appreciate appearing before. I want to make the balance of my legal career one of service to the public and to the court system that has meant so much to me in my career.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
There are many cases that stand out as interesting (at least to me). I have always tended to think of my most interesting case as one I was currently handling, and then the next most interesting case would come along! In looking back in time, though, one of the most interesting cases I handled was an antitrust case I tried with Joel Chefitz on behalf of the Chicago Bulls against the NBA. We challenged (and prevailed against) restrictions the NBA had imposed on the rights of its member clubs to televise their games.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Gaining and keeping friendships with counsels I have tried cases with and against.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I bring my education, experience and the lessons learned while gaining that experience. I also bring my desire to continue to learn and grow as a person and as a professional, all in pursuit of service to the public and our court system.
Name: Steven A. Kozicki
Age: 56
Party: Republican
Current residence: Prospect Heights
Current position: The Law Offices of Steven A. Kozicki in Park Ridge
Past legal experience: Trial attorney/owner, Law Offices of Steven A. Kozicki, 1998-present; trial attorney, Judge & James Ltd., 1989-98; DuPage County assistant public defender, 1986-89; Rule 711 prosecutor, DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, 1983-86.
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $15,303.01
Campaign funds spent, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $12,812.60
Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1985
Campaign website: StevenKozickiforJudge.com
Family: Wife of 28 years, Patricia Regan Kozicki; children Daniel, 26, David, 25, Megan, 22.
Hobbies/interests: Running, skiing, hockey, auto mechanics and yoga.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
Voters should support my candidacy because, if they or one of their loved ones ever has a case in front of me, they will have a judge hearing their case who will be fair but firm. They will have a judge who works hard to know the law, who has integrity, who loves people and who deeply loves the United States of America and the philosophy behind the laws that make it the best country in the world.
Why do you want to be a judge?
The varied and extensive litigation experience that I have had makes me somewhat unique in the legal profession, and the knowledge I have gained from this experience will make the work of being a circuit court judge second nature to me. Being addressed as, “Your honor,” would also serve to remind me of the great trust society has placed in me and, rather than being a boost to my ego, act as a constant and daily challenge to me to live up to the title. Additionally, I want to be a judge because, at the age of 56, I am noticing that many of the judges who are now sitting on the bench are younger and less experienced than me.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
The most interesting case I handled as a lawyer was a case where I represented a woman who was accused of poisoning her husband to death the day after he received a winning Illinois Lottery check. The case required me to do some great work as a lawyer that wasn’t necessarily in the courtroom, because my client needed to be protected from herself and the media, and my client needed me to be a steady voice of reason amid the chaos. The case received international notoriety and unrelenting press coverage, but the reason I found it interesting was because I got to learn about cyanide poisoning from my oldest son, Daniel, who had just studied it in medical school. It was an interesting juxtaposition and Dr. Michael Baden, a pre-eminent forensic pathologist whom I was consulting, told me that my son really knew cyanide poisoning and was going to be a good doctor.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Receiving ratings of “qualified,” and “recommended,” from the judicial screening committees of the Alliance of Bar Association Members and The Chicago Bar Association (in the primary election) have been my greatest career accomplishments. These ratings, and the extensive investigation and evaluation process they represent, tell me that I’ve arrived at certain point in my career. It is a point where other lawyers and judges whom I’ve admired, copied, liked and respected for many years, think that I would make a good judge.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I would bring integrity, patience, a diligent work ethic, a good mind, an optimistic view of the world and a basic respect for people to the bench.