Judge James McGing is running for the Illinois Appellate Court (1st District) to fill the Robert Cahill vacancy. Judge Cahill passed away in December of 2011, which created a vacancy on the court. There are 18 judges from the 1st District Court of Cook County and six of those vacancies are up for the 2012 election year.
Judge McGing appeared before the Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots Political Discussion Group on Wednesday evening (February 1st). The group meets monthly at Favia's Cafe and Sweets located at 10701 S. Hale Ave in Chicago's East Beverly community. (check out the the Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots Facebook fan page for other events). Judge Kay Marie Hanlon also appeared Wednesday evening.
Judge McGing is running in a crowded field of candidates. There are six candidates vying for the slot. In addition to Judge McGing, also running are Circuit Court Judges Pamela Hill-Veal, Mathias Delort, Kay Marie Hanlon, Mary Brigid Hayes, and Laura Marie Sullivan.
Judge McGing grew up in Chicago and attended DePaul University and DePaul University Law School and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. In 2006 he was elected a Circuit Court Judge and has served in a variety of courts in Cook County. Judge McGing has practiced law for 25 years in Cook County and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney. McGing also served as a legal counsel for former Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan where he served in a variety of positions.
Judge McGing oversees the only public nuisance civil call in Cook County that addresses gangs, illegal guns, drugs and prostitution by forcing property owners where criminal activity is taking place to take responsibility and abate the criminal activity. Properties from single family residences, apartment buildings, condominium buildings to commercial establishments, including bars and stores are the subject of the cases filed.
Judge McGing has served in the past on the boards of the Trinity Irish Dance Academy, The Northern Express Youth Hockey Program, UIC Research Advisory Panel and the Northwestern Business Institute Criminal Justice Advisory Panel.
He has been found qualified by all bar associations that have reviewed him in the past. The Chicago Bar Association said of him when he first ran for his current position.
Judge McGing has been endorsed by former Cook County Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan and 35th District State Representative Bill Cunningham. 3 former Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court: Sheila O’Brien, Dom Rizzi and Warren Wolfson, are also endorsing Judge McGing. In addition, he has the support of dean emeritus of DePaul University School of Law and former Federal Judge Wayne Andersen.
Judge McGing has a facebook fan page, James Michael McGing for Appellate Court. He also has a web page, McGing for Judge 2012. A fundraiser is planned for on February 8th at The Joynt in the North Loop.
Judge James Michael McGing’s Campaign for Cook County Appellate Court Justice will host a fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 at The Joynt, 650 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago. McGing, who lives in Edison Park, is currently a Cook County Circuit Court Judge from the 10th Subcircuit.
Tickets are $75 per person. Sponsorships are available. For reservations, call Patricia Rodriguez at 312-645-9400, ext. 36 or rsvp@mcgingforjudge.com. Checks should be made payable to Committee to Elect James Michael McGing Judge, 500 N. Dearborn Street, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60654.
Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions, johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books
Comments