Judicial retention: Vote no for Judge Flanagan

When Cook County voters go into the voting booth on November 7, they'll be faced with the names of dozens of judges on their ballots. Most voters, even those who are very well informed about politics and government, won't recognize a single name. So the whole judicial retention part of the ballot is seen by most people as a joke. Nevertheless, I'll take a position on one of the candidates and hope I never see her in a courtroom.

Here is what the Chicago Bar Association had to say about Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kathy Flanagan back in 2000:

Judge Kathy M. Flanagan is "QUALIFIED" for retention as a Circuit Court Judge. Judge Flanagan possesses the legal knowledge, ability and integrity required of the judiciary. However, the Committee encourages Judge Flanagan to address concerns about her temperament. (emphasis added)

So the "qualified" rating came with, um... qualifications. This year, the CBA endorsed her without reservation, but I'm not sure the concerns over her temperament have been resolved. From what I hear, Ms. Flanagan has a little problem with cell phones.