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Dedicated to Increasing Voter Knowledge of Judicial Candidates in Illinois
Hon. Cynthia M. Raccuglia
Democrat
13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge
At Large
EXPERIENCE
13th Judicial Circuit Judge, 1995 - Present (Elected 1995 / Retained 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018)
Associate Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, 1991- 1995
Private Practice, 1981 - 1991
EDUCATION
Undergraduate: St. Mary's College, B.A. - 1978
Law School: Northern Illinois University, J.D. - 1981
RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS
Illinois State Bar Association and 13th Circuit Joint Judicial Advisory Polls:
Cynthia Raccuglia: Recommended
Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
Meets Requirements Of Office | 83.75 |
Integrity | 90.24 |
Impartiality | 89.02 |
Legal Ability | 90.00 |
Temperament | 90.12 |
Court Management | 81.01 |
Health | 75.32 |
Sensitivity | 95.06 |
Number of Respondents | 82 |
CAMPAIGN FINANCEÂ
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Judicial Inquiry Board Complaint Summary
65. 99-CC- 2 Filed June 29, 1999: Cynthia Raccuglia, Circuit Judge, 13th Circuit, LaSalle County
The Complaint alleged that Respondent had been drinking alcohol and was under the influence of alcohol at a time when she was stopped by a law enforcement officer, that Respondent failed field sobriety tests, and Respondent refused to take a breathalyzer test. The Complaint also alleged that Respondent communicated information to law enforcement officers, which she knew or should have known would be perceived by the officers as an effort to use her judicial office to influence the officers to not charge her with a traffic violation. The Respondent and the Board agreed to a Stipulation of Facts. The Board stipulated that the clear and convincing evidence did not establish that Respondent intended to use her judicial office to influence the actions of the officers. Respondent stipulated to and admitted each of the remaining allegations of fact contained in the Board's Complaint and admitted that she violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. Based upon the Stipulation, the Board and Respondent submitted a joint recommendation that the Illinois Courts Commission impose the discipline of reprimand.
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Order entered October 9, 2001: Joint Stipulation and Recommendation adopted.
Respondent reprimanded.
How Judicial Advisory Polls Work
In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The poll is conducted by email and mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election or a judge seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys.
Following are the questions asked on the poll. Please note that questions on Temperament and Court management differ for those seeking a judicial vacancy and those seeking retention. Clarification of those differences are noted below.
Meets Requirements of Office:
(Recommendation) Considering the qualifications of the candidate, do you believe this candidate meets acceptable requirements for the office?
Integrity
Adhere to the high standards of integrity and ethical conduct required of the office?
Impartiality
Act and rule impartially and free of any predisposition or improper influence?
Legal Ability
Have adequate legal experience, knowledge, and ability?
Temperament
for a judicial vacancy:
Exercise appropriate temperament with courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity?
for judicial retention:
Exercise the judicial temperament to serve with appropriate courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity?
Court Management
for a judicial vacancy:
Attends to all professional responsibilities including the management of cases/clients, and completes work in a prompt and skillful manner?
for judicial retention:
Diligently and promptly attend to the duties of the office and assure the steady progress of court business?
Health
Have the physical, mental and emotional health, stamina and stability needed to perform judicial duties?
Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias
Conducts self and deals with others appropriately to reduce or eliminate conduct or words which manifest bias based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others?