Judicial Evaluations - Outside Cook County

The mission of the Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations - Outside Cook County is

  • To investigate and evaluate the qualifications of Illinois candidates for nomination to the U.S. District Court and Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • To investigate and evaluate the qualifications of candidates for nomination, election, retention and appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court in all judicial districts, and to the Illinois Appellate Court in the districts outside of Cook County.

No committee member who serves on a campaign committee, or is actively involved in fund raising for any candidate under review, may participate in the investigation or evaluation of any candidate for the same judicial office. Consists of a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary and sufficient members to implement its responsibilities in all judicial districts. Lay members are authorized. Five members shall constitute a quorum.

Committee Roster

  • Kelli E. Gordon, Feldman Wasser, Springfield, Chair
  • Michael James Brusatte, Webber & Thies PC, Champaign, Secretary
  • Hon. J. Jeffrey Allen, Shorewood, Member
  • Tambra K. Cain, Johnson County State's Attorney, Vienna, Member
  • David B. Franks, Franks Kelly Matuszewich & Andrle PC, Lake in the Hills, Member
  • Amanda J. Hamilton, Konicek & Dillon PC, Geneva, Member
  • Celeste A. Korando, Jackson County Public Defender, Murphysboro, Member
  • Ann M. Lampariello, Lamp Law LLC, Wheaton, Member
  • Laura I. Miroballi, Reich Jumbeck Stole & Reeb LLP, Joliet, Member
  • Eric J. Neumann, Law Office of Eric Neumann, Goreville, Member
  • Azam Nizamuddin, Abear Law Offfices, Wheaton, Member
  • Douglas B. Olivero, Douglas B Olivero & Associates, Peru, Member
  • Melissa M. Olivero, National Labor Relations Board, Peru, Member
  • Hon. Stephen R. Pacey, Ret., Paxton, Member
  • Michael S. Strauss, Strauss & Hoyt, LLC, Libertyville, Member
  • Jennifer L. Thompson, Hart Cantrell & Thompson LLC, Benton, Member
  • Elizabeth Felt Wakeman, Wakeman Law Group PC, Crystal Lake, Member
  • Andrew G. Whitfield, Illinois Attorney General's Office, Geneva, Member
  • Wesley A. Gozia, Gozia Law Firm LLC, Salem, Board Liaison
  • Krista L. Appenzeller, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield, Staff Liaison
  • Brenda Todt, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield, Staff Liaison