This is the first of two conversations with primary candidates for the open 1st District Illinois Supreme Court seat. Jesse G. Reyes will be featured Thursday.Viewing the state Supreme Court as a “gatekeeper of democracy,” Justice Joy V. Cunningham is seeking to retain her seat amid a faceoff with 1st District Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes.With no Republican candidates on the ballot for the 1st District high court seat, the March 19 Democratic primary election will likely determine whether Cunningham …