Sheree D. Henry

Name: Sheree D. Henry

Age: 49

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Homewood

Current position: Cook County assistant public defender

Past legal experience: Cook County Public Defender’s Office, 1999-2017; Cook County Public Guardian’s Office, 1995-99; Law Office of Ayesha Hakeem & Associates, 1995

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $23,035.00

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $32,148.92

Law school: Northern Illinois University College of Law, 1994

Campaign website: ShereeDHenry4Judge.com

Family: Married to Jeffrey T. Henry for 19 years; two children, Brittany Amber Henry (19) and Bryan Alexander Henry (15)

Hobbies/interests: Tennis, reading, Zumba and spending time with my family

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I have dedicated my entire professional career to public service. I provide legal service to indigent persons through my employment as an assistant Cook County public guardian and now as an assistant Cook County public defender. I am active in my community as a member of the Homewood Veteran’s Committee, Democratic Women of South Suburbs, and my church, Trinity United Church of Christ. As a judge, I will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and a fair trial.

Why do you want to be a judge?

As an assistant Cook County public defender, I fight to ensure that my clients are not only heard, but also understood. As a judge, I will guarantee that anyone who comes into my courtroom will be heard and understood. I believe that the judicial system is the calming voice a stressful situation. When someone enters my courtroom, three things will happen: I will always listen to them, I will always be fair and I will follow the law.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer? My client killed his stepfather who was mentally and physically abusive to the entire family. The case forced the family to divide their support between my client and the deceased. The mother and siblings testified for my client, but still loved and cared for the deceased. The split verdict of not guilty on first-degree murder, but guilty on second-degree murder was a bittersweet feeling for everyone in the court. There were no winners or loser in this case, just a family coping with a double tragedy.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment is helping my clients put their lives back together. I represent all the individuals assigned to the drug court, mental health court and veteran court in the 6th District Courthouse. Clients learn how to maintain sobriety, life coping skills and health maintenance skills in these specialty courts. Upon successfully completion of the probation, pursuant to the statute, I move to vacate their guilty plea and dismiss the case.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I have the community experience to ensure that I will be able to connect and understand the people who come before me in court. I have the legal experience to guarantee that I know the law and will follow the law. As a defense attorney, I have also developed very good listening skills that are extremely necessary and useful as a judge. As a member of the Illinois National Guard for over seven years, I have cultivated my good observation skills that are very essential and beneficial as a judge.