JUDICIAL RETENTION
BALLOT FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES SEEKING RETENTION IN OFFICE

“Vote on the Proposition with respect to all or any of the Judges listed on this ballot. No Judge listed is running against any other Judge. The sole question is whether each Judge shall be retained in his present office.”
SHALL EACH OF THE PERSONS LISTED BE RETAINED IN OFFICE AS JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT?
– BOB THOMAS
Notable decision: Thomas is most well known for the 2007 $7 million award to him in a libel case where Bill Page, once with the Kane County Chronicle, accused him of felony misconduct. The case established that court deliberations have the same confidentiality as lawyer-client privilege.
The Illinois State Bar Association mailed 5,363 ballots with 946 ballots returned, giving an average score in eight categories of 82.68 percent.
—Vote YES
SHALL EACH OF THE PERSONS LISTED BE RETAINED IN OFFICE AS JUDGE OF THE APPELLATE COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT?
– JOHN J. BOWMAN
Notable decision: Gave McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Bob Schlenkert his job back in the Second Appellate Court decision, stating McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren’s  decision to “discharge [Schlenkert] was arbitrary and unreasonable or unrelated to the requirements of service.”
The Illinois State Bar Association mailed 5,363 ballots with 946 ballots returned, giving an average score in eight categories of 94.83 percent.
—Vote YES
SHALL EACH OF THE PERSONS LISTED BE RETAINED IN OFFICE AS JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT? 
– KATHRYN E. ZENOFF
An Illinois Supreme Court media release stated: “In a statement, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert R. Thomas said, … “Judge Zenoff has an extremely impressive background, with vast experience as a private attorney, public interest advocate, assistant State’s attorney, and judge. In each of these endeavors, Judge Zenoff won the respect and admiration of all who served with her.
“As Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Judge Zenoff spearheaded several important initiatives, including the State’s first pilot program in legal professionalism and civility, the Winnebago County Legal Self-Help Center, and the planning and development of the new Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center.”
The Illinois State Bar Association mailed 703 ballots with 235 ballots returned, giving an average score in eight categories of 94.83 percent.
—Vote YES
– JANET R. HOLMGREN
The Northern Illinois University College of Law bestowed her with Distinguished Service Award, stating: “The Honorable Janet R. Holmgren, a 1985 NIU College of Law graduate, is the chief judge in the Illinois 17th Judicial Circuit. She has served on the bench since her appointment as associate judge in 1995. During her tenure as a jurist, Judge Holmgren has served as presiding judge of the Family Division and was the facilitator for the Circuit Court’s Family Mediation Council. Judge Holmgren has been honored on numerous occasions for work as an advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. She also is active in many civic and professional organizations, as well as with the NIU College of Law.”
The Illinois State Bar Association mailed 703 ballots with 235 ballots returned, giving an average score in eight categories of 94.83 percent.
—Vote YES