Frank J. Andreou
Jennifer E. Bae
Marguerite Anne Quinn
Louis George Apostol
In the days leading up to the March 15 primary election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports.
Name: Louis George Apostol
Age: 69
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Northfield
Current position: Executive director and general counsel, Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, 2008 to present
Past legal experience with years of each job: 36 years of civil and criminal litigation practice with large- and medium-size law firms, 1980 to 2008; legal consultant, 2009 to present; public administrator of Cook County, 1991 to 2003; commissioner/trial judge, Illinois Court of Claims, 2003 to 2008.
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: No reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: No reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections
Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified
Law school: Northern Illinois University College of Law, 1978
Campaign website: committeetoelectLouisApostolJudge.com
Family: Married to Alexandra P. Apostol. Peter L. Apostol (son), Alexander E. Apostol (son), Jorgiana A. Apostol (daughter-deceased).
Hobbies/interests: Baseball, golf and swimming. Active in charitable organizations having served as the president to the Hellenic Foundation, a member of the Leadership 100 and co-chair to the Diversity Scholarship Foundation Committee. Currently serve as chair, NIU College of Law Board of Visitors; board member to the NIU Alumni Association and Chicago Sister Cities International Committee; and elected to the board of directors to the Associated Colleges of Illinois.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I have 36 years experience in civil and criminal litigation bringing several hundred cases to final verdict. I have had cases in the appellate and Supreme Courts. I received judicial evaluations of Qualified, Recommended and Highly Recommended by the Alliance of Illinois Bar Associations and The Chicago Bar Association. As a former teacher, school administrator, corporate executive, government official and attorney, I bring a wealth of knowledge with multiple experiences that would serve the public well as a judge.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I have approximately 25 years in public service with a stellar record of assisting the public in thousands of administrative and legal actions. I have a passion for public service and want to continue serving the public as a member of the judiciary. I will always be hard working, “fair and impartial” and without reference to race, gender, sexual preference or religious affiliation.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
The estate of Helen Petropoulos. Helen was a disabled person with an estate valued in excess of $1 million. When she passed away, I served as public administrator of Cook County and administered her estate. I was able to retrieve more than $350,000 that was given to various entities and return these funds back to the estate. I was able to locate several heirs who ultimately received the proceeds from the estate. This matter went to the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts before final resolution. This is considered a landmark case in probate law.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
By participating in public service and contributing time and resources to many charitable organizations. I have spent countless hours doing pro bono work acting as a mentor/counselor to many disadvantaged students, elderly and disabled persons.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I bring a strong work ethic, knowledge, compassion, multiple experiences, humility and a sense of fairness and goodwill. I endeavor to treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter if the parties come from privileged or disadvantaged backgrounds. As a former trial judge I worked hard to make sure all cases before me moved quickly and that justice was served to all parties.
Name: Marguerite Anne Quinn
Age: 56
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Winnetka
Current position: Cook County associate judge
Past legal experience: Associate judge, 2007-present; O’Keefe, Lyons & Hynes LLC, 1999-2007; Cook County assistant state’s attorney, 1986-98
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $574.77
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $10
Chicago Bar Association finding: Highly Qualified
Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1985
Campaign website: quinnforjustice.com
Family: Pete Adams, husband; Samantha Adams, daughter
Hobbies/interests: Golf, skiing, platform tennis and running
Have you ever run for office before?
Yes, I ran for circuit judge in 2006 and for the appellate court in 2012.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I have been a judge since 2007, I already understand exactly what this job requires. My excellent bar ratings confirm that I possess the qualities that are essential to be a good jurist. I am respected for my knowledge of the law by my peers and have been a faculty member of the Illinois Judicial Education Conference since 2012. In addition to my assignments in the felony and misdemeanor courts in Skokie, I also have presided over specialty courts, in particular Veteran’s Court.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I truly enjoy being a judge and being in court every day. In my position, I frequently come in to contact with people who may be headed down the wrong path, that’s why I am such a proponent of the specialty courts. In my work in Skokie where I have presided over Veteran’s Court, Mental Health Court and Misdemeanor Deferred Prosecutions Court, I see that with the proper services, non-violent offenders can be fully rehabilitated.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
When I was an assistant state’s attorney, I was assigned to the Gangs Prosecutions Unit. These cases were primarily murders and very tough to try. They were complicated by the fact that often times the state’s witnesses were also gang members who would change their testimony during trial. That’s when I truly honed my trial skills, I learned to think on my feet and that experience has been invaluable to me as a judge.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment thus far is presiding over Veteran’s Court in Skokie. Veteran’s court is a specialty court specifically designed to provide treatment to non-violent offenders as opposed to incarceration. This innovative program has been highly successful in providing veterans with the resources they need to get their lives back on track. It is the most significant thing I have done as a judge to date and I am proud to be a part of this very positive program.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I’ve been a sitting judge since 2007 and I bring honesty and integrity to the court. I am very well-versed in the law. Since 2012 I have been a member of the faculty of the Illinois Judicial Conference, where I teach members of the judiciary various topics on criminal law. I believe it is important to treat everyone with respect and that includes being organized and prepared every day in court.
Name: Jennifer E. Bae
Age: 47
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Mount Prospect
Current positions: Law Office of Jennifer Bae, 2012-present. A solo practice concentrating in criminal defense.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office Merit Board, 2013-present. Set standards for examination, appointment, promotion and conduct hearings on disciplinary matters involving the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, Cook County Department of Corrections, and Cook County Sheriff’s Court Services Department.
Past legal experience: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office — I started in the office as a bar-taker working in the appeals division. I was there for 10 months and handled 26 cases from research to writing appellate briefs. I then worked in the Traffic Division prosecuting DUIs. Next was the Domestic Violence Division where I prosecuted all matters involving the Illinois Domestic Violence Act as well as obtaining orders of protection for victims, 1996-2000; Law Office of Jennifer Bae — solo practice concentrating in criminal defense, 2000; Bae Law Offices P.C. – Co-owner of a small general practice law firm with concentration in personal injury, domestic relations, business disputes, employment discrimination, civil rights, general civil litigation and criminal defense including hearings at the Secretary of State of Illinois and municipalities, 2000-12.
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $13,800
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $1,000
Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified
Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1996
Campaign website: On Facebook, “Jennifer Bae for Judge”
Family: I am a widow; two step daughters and one biological daughter
Hobbies/interests: Golf, gardening, hiking and cooking
Have you ever run for office before√
Yes, I ran for judge four years ago but my petitions were successfully challenged and thus I did not appear on the ballot.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
First of all, I have been found qualified or recommended by all bar associations. Second, I bring plethora of experience to the bench. I am 47 years old but I bring knowledge of practicing all over different counties in the State of Illinois. Third, I have always believed in community service. To know your community is to volunteer in your community. From the beginning, I have volunteered at different pro bono legal service agencies as a law student and later as a lawyer. I have been serving as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character & Fitness, 1st Judicial District, first as a member and currently as the Vice Chair for the last six years. I am a volunteer at my daughter Andrea’s high school in the band program and speech team. Lastly, I am honest, dedicated and hard working.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I was 10 years old when I came to America from South Korea. My family lived in a government subsidized building in Houston, Texas. Every day I had to fight to survive. If I was not with my brothers, that’s the day I got jumped on. It wasn’t pretty. One day, I became friends with a boy name James. To this day, I think James felt sorry for me and that is the reason why we became friends. James made sure that no one at school or in our apartment complex touched me. He introduced me to his grandmother, Nana. She was in her 50s, taking care of five of eight grandchildren. She always included me in birthday parties. She taught me how to make fried chicken. She taught me how to dance but the most important part was that she talked to me.
Nana came over to my apartment one day and asked me to go with her. I did not know where we were going but I went with her. Once we arrived, I realized that we were at the juvenile detention center. James’ brother had gotten in trouble. From what I remembered, James’ older brother had been in and out of juvenile detention prior to living with Nana. After the court call had completed, the judge asked Nana about the other grandchildren. He wanted to hear how well the other grandchildren were doing and whether Nana needed any assistance in taking care of them. After their conversation, Nana introduced me to the judge. He was very nice, understanding, caring and, above all, fair. He asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him that I did not know. He told me that whatever I do, I should listen to Nana. I told him that I would. As we were leaving, Nana grabbed my hand and told me that she wanted me to be a judge just like the judge I had met. There as we were walking down the stairs, I made a promise to Nana. I made a promise that I would become a judge one day.
This is a promise and a dream that I carried since I was 11 years old. I went to law school to become a judge. I have worked hard all my life so that one day, I can become a judge. Because of the promise I made to Nana, I am here answering your questions.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment is being able to help ordinary people. The problem or the issue may have been minor to me but when resolved, the effect to the person I was assisting was enormous.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I bring my enthusiasm, knowledge, patience, understanding, caring and most of all, eager to work hard.
Name: Frank J. Andreou
Age: 45
Current residence: Northbrook
Current position: Andreou & Casson Ltd., 2002-present
Past legal experience: Andreou & Casson Ltd., 2002-present; Pretzel & Stouffer Chtd., 1999-2002; Cook County assistant state’s attorney, 1995-99
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $0
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $0
Chicago Bar Association finding: Highly Qualified
Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1995
Campaign website: www.frankandreou.com
Family: Married to Dr. Lina V. Andreou, DDS; two sons: John, 11, and Chris, 9,
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with family, coaching church league basketball, golf when I can, traveling
Have you ever run for office before√
Yes: I am currently an elected member of the Northbrook School District 27 board. The current term runs from 2015 to 2019.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
Voters should support my candidacy because I have had an extensive and diverse litigation career. I have tried several hundred bench trials and close to 50 jury trials; I have appeared in courtrooms on an almost daily basis and have managed my own practice for almost 14 years. As a judge, I will apply what I have learned over the years as a practicing attorney and run an efficient call following the example set by the many talented judges I have appeared before over the years.
Why do you want to be a judge?
To me, the judiciary is the highest calling in the legal profession and the decisions that a judge makes can have a profound impact on people’s lives. After 20 wonderful years of practicing law, I feel that I am ready to become a judge and undertake the awesome responsibilities that come with the position. My decision to leave a practice that I started from scratch is not one I made lightly; however, as a former assistant state’s attorney, current member of the Northbrook School District 27 board and my parish council, I realize that I want to return to serving the public full-time.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
I was retained by the estate of a disabled adult who had slipped into dementia after a long and successful life building a real estate portfolio. As her condition worsened, she could not properly maintain her commercial building and allowed it to fall into disrepair. A large fire ensued, engulfing her building, and during the fire suppression efforts, the building collapsed, causing millions of dollars of damage to the surrounding buildings but, thankfully, no injuries. After a monthlong trial, I was able to negotiate a settlement during jury deliberations, which prevented a lifetime of this elderly person’s work from being wiped out by a judgment.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment is taking a leap into the unknown and building a practice from scratch. In 2002, I left a very comfortable position at a well-respected law firm where I worked with great people and was mentored by a great trial attorney. I left my job to start my own practice with no clients, no leads and absolutely no business and maintained a great relationship with my previous employers. Over the next 14 years, I built my practice into what it is today: a thriving litigation practice where I handle a variety of cases representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Along the way, I have worked alongside and against many talented attorneys and have earned their respect.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I have strived to maintain a level of respect and civility with my colleagues over the years and have developed an even temperament as I have matured as an attorney. As a judge, I will ensure that the litigants who appear before me maintain a level of civility with each other as I have tried to do throughout my career. I will respect the litigant’s time by extending the simple courtesy of starting the call on time and trying to move through it as expeditiously as possible; also, I will empathize with how costly litigation can be by moving the cases through discovery in an efficient manner and attempting to bring cases to resolution through means other than trial. Overall, I will strive to ensure that I do not forget how challenging the practice of law can be and make sure that the parties respect me — not fear me.