Rhonda Crawford
Anthony E. Simpkins
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: Anthony E. Simpkins
Age: 48
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Chicago
Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointment effective Dec. 15, 2014)
Past legal experience: Deputy commissioner, city of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Preservation Division, 2010-14. Managed city loan portfolio and more than $600 million in programs designed to revitalize local communities, eliminate blight, and preserve affordable housing.
Senior counsel, city of Chicago Law Department, Building & Land Use Litigation Division, 1997-2007. Senior municipal prosecutor, responsible for all aspects of a variety of real estate related civil litigation matters.
Skadden Foundation fellow at The Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing Inc. and the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago Lockout Project, 1994-97. Advocacy, policy initiatives, and representation of low-income victims of illegal summary evictions.
Cook County assistant public defender, 1993-94. Policy analysis and speech writing.
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $116,470.43
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $111,683.82
Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified
Chicago Council of Lawyers finding: Qualified
Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1994
Campaign website: www.electanthonysimpkins.com
Family: Wife, Tammy Simpkins; three sons and one daughter, ages 10-23
Hobbies/interests: Swimming and community volunteer work
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I am highly qualified to be a judge. My legal practice has included a wide breadth of experience, from legislation to litigation, real estate, nonprofit and business corporations, as well as administration, public policy, and regulatory practice. I have been rated “Qualified” and/or “Recommended” by all local bar associations, who said, “Mr. Simpkins is well regarded by his peers for his knowledge, legal ability, fine temperament, and commitment to public service” (Chicago Bar Association). In addition, my entire professional career has been devoted to public service, which I believe is the highest calling of the legal profession, and serving the public as a judge is a natural evolution and furtherance of that career.
Why do you want to be a judge?
Being a judge will allow me to further my career-long dedication to public service and apply my 20-plus years of legal experience to that end.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
One of the most interesting cases I handled was City of Chicago v. Telegraph Properties, LP., et al., 03 M1 402334 consol. with 01 M1 400594; with Circuit Judge Daniel Joseph Lynch presiding. This case involved violations of the city Building Code at the Randolph Towers building, and sought civil penalties of over $3.2 million and injunctive relief. The case involved numerous motions to dismiss, evidentiary and motion hearings, depositions, third-party complaints and motions to modify and reconsider orders over a three- to four-year period. Companion cases in Chancery (foreclosure) and the Northern District of Illinois (bankruptcy) were also part of this case. I was lead counsel on all matters except bankruptcy, where I was co-counsel. Opposing Counsel was Elizabeth D. Sharp.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
The process of being appointed to serve on the bench, in particular, has been gratifying as a confirmation that I have earned the respect and admiration of my peers in the legal community, as well as community leaders and members, and the public officials who represent them. I am proud that I have been able to earn that level of professional and personal regard.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
A judge must always remember that he or she is a public servant; that notwithstanding the prestige and authority of the office, the fundamental objective and obligation of a judicial officer is to render justice in service of litigants and the public good. In addition to my legal knowledge and experience, as a judge, both my decisions and my demeanor will reflect this fundamental understanding of being a public servant.
Name: Rhonda Crawford
Age: 44
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Calumet City
Current position: Staff attorney, Cook County Circuit Court, 4½ years
Past legal experience: Private practice, civil, health care and employment litigation, six years; personal-injury attorney, medical malpractice, construction negligence, wrongful deaths, one year; assistant state’s attorney, criminal appeals, one year
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $9,590
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $9,215
Chicago Bar Association finding: Did not participate in evaluation process, automatically considered Not Recommended.
Chicago Council of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2003
Campaign Website: www.rhondacrawfordforjudge.com
Family: Single, no children
Hobbies/interests: Running, music, reading
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I will be fair to everyone appearing before me regardless of where they live, or their education or income status. I spent most of my childhood in the Englewood neighborhood and also lived in South Deering, South Shore and Roseland before moving to Calumet City almost 20 years ago — so when people who are like me come into the courtroom, they will be treated the same as everyone else.
Why do you want to be a judge?
The decisions that are made in our court system have a tremendous effect on the people in my community and require that we have someone who is from the community and of the community. I will be that much-needed voice.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
As a former registered nurse I was always interested in the details of the medical cases, but the case that meant the most to me was a sexual harassment case involving a young female client. I could see that she was having a difficult time emotionally during a hearing, so I reached under the table and grabbed her hand, which she said meant the world to her. Another lawyer who saw what I did told me to never lose my compassion, and I plan to use that to bring justice to victims and inspire offenders.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment was getting my law license because at times it seemed like an impossible task. I put myself through college, purchased my home three years later, and one year after the purchase I gave up my nursing career to go to law school full time. I graduated in three years, passed the bar exam the first time and have owned my house for 17 years in April.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
Integrity, fairness, compassion, empathy, humility and the ability to problem-solve and make rational decisions under pressure.
One additional candidate in this race — Lisa A. Copland, a principal at Lisa A. Copland P.C. — did not respond to the Daily Law Bulletin’s survey. Copland did not participate in The Chicago Bar Association’s evaluation process and is automatically considered Not Recommended. She is rated as Qualified by the Chicago Council of Lawyers. Copland had $4,005 in campaign funds available from July 1 to Dec. 31 and spent $4,276.10 during the same time period.