Submit a brief essay that explains why you are qualified to hold this office.
I spent 23 years as a prosecutor in DuPage County. Attaining the position of First Assistant State's Attorney in 1996 and remaining in that position until I was appointed Associate Judge in 2003. In October, 2007 the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the position of Circuit Court Judge. This is the position that I now seek in the November 2008 General Election. I believe I am qualified to hold this office as a result of my 28 years of experience as an attorney and Judge. I currently sit in a Felony trial court and hear all variety of criminal-felony cases. I would submit that having prosecuted all types of criminal cases during my time in the State's Attorney's Office has given me the necessary experience to handle this assignment in an efficient and professional manner. I believe my success in the primary elction, running against two highly qualified fellow Judges, demonstrated that the primary voters agreed with the Illinois Supreme Court that I was qualified to fill this vacancy. Further, the DuPage County Bar Association rated me “Highly Recommended” following their evaluation of the candidates seeking election in the February primary.
List your three most significant accomplishments
The most significant accomplishment in my life is getting married to my beautiful wife and raising our five great children. In my 28 year legal career I would point to three major accomplishments: my seven years as First Assistant State's Attorney managing the second largest prosecutor's office in the State; being appointed by the Circuit Court Judges of DuPage County to the position of Associate Judge in 2003; and being appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the position of Circuit Court Judge in 2007.
List your three most significant post-election goals.
When I arrive at the courtroom every morning I have three goals. First, to be honest in both an ethical sense and in the sense of being forthright and straightforward with everyone who appears in my courtroom. Secondly, to be fair, which means to treat everyone in the same manner that I would want to be treated if I were in the same situation. Finally, I want to work hard and remember that the people of DuPage County have hired me to do a very important job and they deserve my best effort.