Michael I. O'Malley
Michael I. O'Malley

Name: Michael I. O’Malley

Age: 42

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Cook County assistant state’s attorney

Past legal experience: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Civil Actions Bureau, 2½ years, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, 10 years

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $4,471.97

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $2,076.86

Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 2005

Campaign website: OMalleyforJudge.us

Family: Yes

Hobbies/interests: American history, fishing, spending time with my family

Have you ever run for office before?

Yes, I ran for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2016.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

Voters should vote for me because of my qualification. During my tenure as an assistant state’s attorney, I have litigated hundreds of trials and evidentiary hearings. I have experience practicing in the areas of civil litigation, criminal law and family law. This wide breadth of experience sets me apart from my opponents.

Why do you want to be a judge?

As an assistant state’s attorney, I have practiced in multiple courthouses through Cook County and appeared before dozens of judges. I have practiced before some of the best judges in Cook County, and some of the worst. This experience has taught me the attributes which make a good judge and the attributes that make a bad judge. I know that I possess the skills that will enable me to be a good judge for the people of Cook County.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

I consider the amount of experience I have been able to obtain in my tenure at the state’s attorney’s office to be my greatest accomplishment. I have obtained extensive litigation experience and have worked in several different areas of law.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I will bring a strong work ethic, a sense of fairness and a desire to ensure justice is meted out in Cook County to the bench. I will also be a judge who believes punctuality is a needed quality in the judiciary.