12th subcircuit hopefuls tout experience

The four Democrats running for judge in the 12th subcircuit in Cook County all say they have the experience that matters.

Thomas Mulroy, 61, of Kenilworth was appointed judge last year to fill a vacancy.

He started out in the state's attorney's office and said he wrote the first trial handbook in the 1970s for them.

"I've been in practice for 35 years and have always been a jury trial lawyer," he said. "That kind of experience is really what you need in a judge."

He said that experience will translate into a good job on the bench because he recognizes the importance of any case, big or small.

Michael Halloran, 52, of Glenview has been a public defender in Cook County for 20 years and before that worked as an electrician.

"I went through undergrad and law school at night," he said. "I just wanted an opportunity to practice law and help people."

He said his philosophy is to make sure to give everyone a fair chance in the courtroom.

"I like to be respectful of everybody's time and treat the courtroom as it belongs to the people, not as my personal fiefdom," he said.

Pamela Loza, 57, of Mount Prospect, started out as an assistant state's attorney in Cook County and now is an owner of her own firm in Palatine.

As a single mom, she put her daughter through college, which she says shows her hard-working personality.

"I know first-hand the problems and challenges that face our community today, and I know that I can do the job and do it well," she said.

Loza also speaks Spanish fluently, which she said is a plus in the courtroom.

Thomas Flannigan, 55, of Winnetka, started off as clerk for the Illinois Supreme Court and now has his own practice.

He said being a judge was something he aspired to since seeing a movie on Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes at a young age.

He said he's been in enough courtrooms to know what makes a good judge. When he was a clerk for Judge William Clark in the state Supreme Court, he admired the way Clark treated everyone who was in the courtroom.

"Even though he was successful and somewhat powerful, he had a spot in his heart for the little guy," he said. "That appealed to me."

On the Republican side, Laura Morask is running against Michaela Nolan Ryan.

The primary election is Tuesday. The Democratic and Republican winners will face off in the November general election.