Suzanne Groebner
Suzanne Groebner

Name: Susanne Groebner

Age: 42

Party: Republican

Current residence: Inverness

Current position: Cook County assistant state’s attorney

Past legal experience: 18 years as an assistant state’s attorney

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $113,859.25

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $22,448.57

Law school: DePaul University College of Law, 2000

Campaign website: groebner4judge.com

Family: Husband, Bob, 3 children, Isabella (11), Bobby (8), Abby (5)

Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my family, coaching Inverness Youth Soccer Club

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I have been a criminal prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for the past 18 years. I have worked my way up through the ranks of the office, and I am now a supervising attorney of a felony courtroom. I have been in the trenches, in the courtrooms, on a daily basis arguing on behalf of the people of Cook County. While others think about the law, I am arguing the law on behalf of the helpless victims who didn’t always have a voice.

Why do you want to be a judge?

The choice for circuit court judge is important because the everyday decisions that a circuit court judge makes can affect the liberty, freedoms, and financial welfare of our lives and future lives of those living in our community. Our court system in Cook County is in dire need of qualified judges who have the depth of experience and knowledge capable of following the law and to mete out justice in a fair and even-handed manner. I have that knowledge and experience and that is why I am seeking to fill the seat of Cook County judge in the 13th Subcircuit.

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

As an assistant state’s attorney, it is difficult to choose the most interesting case that I have handled. Since we are litigating on a daily basis, we are challenged with interesting issues all the time. If I had to choose one, I tried an attempt murder in which a mother had to choose between staying at the scene to protect her children and getting shot in the head, or leaving her children to the fate of the accused.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment is that I can bring a sense of closure and justice to victims and victims’ families. Whether a case is won or lost, I want the victims to know that I am advocating for their case to the best of my ability. I hope that this sense of closure brings some peace to these people’s lives.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

To quote from The Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee in its recent evaluation of my “Qualified” status: “Mrs. Groebner has tried many complex cases and is well respected by judges and lawyers for her knowledge of the law, outstanding trial skills, fine demeanor and temperament.”

I believe my diverse and extensive experience as a litigator uniquely qualifies me to serve as a judge in the 13th Subcircuit.