Judicial Candidates Stepping Forward for 2022
Lake County Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes is likely to jump into the race for the new 2nd District on the Illinois Supreme Court. Shanes, a Republican, already has two potential Democratic opponents.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
In all corners of the state, high profile candidates are stepping forward for high profile judicial races in 2022.
Democratic Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering is likely to formally announce her candidacy for the new 2nd District in the coming days. She filed a new committee with the Illinois State Board of Elections earlier this week.
By e-mail, Rotering wouldn’t confirm her campaign, but told me to “stay tuned.”
Rotering lost a 2018 primary for Attorney General and a 2016 primary for Congress.
Rotering likely faces a primary with Lake County Judge Elizabeth Rochford, who announced her campaign last week.
Republican Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes is also running in the new 2nd District. I’m told Shanes is likely the “best bet” for Republicans to keep the seat.
The new 2nd District is composed of DeKalb, Kendall, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
In southern Illinois, an interesting primary is shaping up for a seat on the 5th District Appellate Court. Republican Justice David Overstreet was elected to the Supreme Court last year and Judge Barry Vaughn was appointed to replace him. Vaughn is expected to seek a full term.
But two figures right at the center of the public battle over Governor JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigations are also in the race. Marion County Judge Michael McHaney, who ruled for then-Rep. Darren Bailey in a suit overturning Pritzker’s rules. His ruling was later overturned by an appellate court. The lawyer in that case and many other like it around the state, Tom DeVore of Greenville, has also jumped into the race.
