Toya T. Harvey
Toya T. Harvey

Name: Toya T. Harvey

Age: 49

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Homewood

Current position and employer: Cook County circuit judge (appointed by Illinois Supreme Court on March 16, 2017)

Past legal experience with years of each job: Cook County assistant public defender, 1996-2017; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, Law Clerk to the Criminal Division, 1994

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $9,524.30

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $5,172.86

Law school, year graduated: University of Iowa College of Law, 1995

Campaign website: electjudgetoyatharvey.com

Family: Divorcee; two daughters, ages 18 and 15

Hobbies/interests: Fishing, running, reading and mentoring young people.

Have you ever run for office before?

I submitted petitions for circuit court judge in 2012 but withdrew the petitions. I have not run for any other office.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

As a dedicated public servant with over 20 years of legal experience and having risen to the ranks of the most skilled and knowledgeable criminal litigators, I am the most qualified and best candidate for this position. I have been found “Recommended,” “Qualified” or “Highly Qualified” by all of the evaluating bar associations. After my appointment to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2017, I spent a few months in the traffic division and was transferred to the forcible detainer and entry division, thus I possess judicial experience also. In addition to my work in the courtroom, I am also an active community member serving as a Girl Scout leader, community board member and community volunteer.

Why do you want to be a judge?

It has been my desire to become a lawyer, then a judge, since I was about 8 years of age. I have always believed that justice should prevail no matter the situation and I have fought hard for justice and to maintain the integrity of the legal system. As a judge, I am in the best position to ensure that the notion of fairness and justice is more than just a principle, it is put into practice.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

One of the most interesting cases I handled as an attorney would probably be a murder case in which my client was proven not guilty in the death of his infant niece. It was a very involved case and allowed the team of attorneys to become very close with not only Barry but much of his family as well. It was very difficult to tell the story of what happened that evening, because it included having the sibling of the deceased, who was only 10 years old at the time of the death, reliving and telling the jury what happened to her baby sister that night at her own hand.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment to date would have to be my appointment to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2017. I have always worked hard to excel in the legal arena but I have also worked hard to represent the best the legal community has to offer in my interactions outside of the legal field. I volunteer in both educational and community venues sharing the strengths of our legal system and volunteering my legal skills to those in need. I am also humbled by my appointment to a Supreme Court Committee.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

In addition to my legal knowledge and experience, I believe my temperament and compassion are an asset to my ability to run an efficient and effective court call. While I demand that all parties conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful to the court and each other and complies with the rule of law, I also acknowledge that for many the experience of coming to court can be a stressful one and thus requires the Court of exercise patience when dealing with the litigant who appear before the court.