DuPage judge to make appellate court run
Never one to shy away from competition, DuPage Circuit Judge Kenneth L. Popejoy is dusting off his running shoes again.
This time, the former track and cross-country standout is seeking a 10-year seat on the Second District Appellate Court in Elgin.
The 58-year-old Wheaton man is running in the February 2010 Republican primary for the Elgin-based court, which encompasses 13 counties in northern Illinois, including DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Lake.
There are three appellate seats up for grabs.
Former DuPage Chief Judge Ann B. Jorgensen is seeking to retain the appellate seat that the Illinois Supreme Court appointed her to one year ago. Justice Mary Seminara-Schostok, a former Lake County judge, is up for election in the third race.
So far, none of the races are contested but candidates have until November to file for office. Retired DuPage Circuit Judge Kenneth Moy is considering a run against Jorgensen, his former colleague.
Popejoy, who has presided in a variety of cases, including high-profile disputes involving O'Hare Airport, school districts, ballot challenges and wrongful deaths, seeks to fill the seat of retiring Justice John J. Bowman, 79. Bowman is the former law partner of Popejoy's father, Charlie, and a longtime family friend.
Popejoy has proved to be a tough competitor throughout his life. In the March 2004 GOP primary, he beat three respected DuPage County judges and a veteran trial lawyer to win his circuit seat. His legal career spans three decades.
"Judge Popejoy works hard and makes sound, well-reasoned decisions based on the law and the facts, not outside influences," said Jim Ryan, the former Illinois Attorney General and DuPage County state's attorney.
Popejoy also has a storied past in the running community, which in 2006 inducted him into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. A state and Big Ten champion through high school and college, Popejoy went on to be ranked ninth in the world in the 1,500-meter run in 1975. The former North Central College volunteer cross-country and track coach even helped train U.S. Olympian Jim Spivey.
"Those qualities that served me well in my athletic career directly translate to those of my judicial career - commitment, dedication and the knowledge that there is no substitute for hard work," Popejoy said.
The nine-member appellate panel handled about 1,660 pending criminal and civil cases in 2007, the most current statistics available, ranging from property disputes to divorce to murder. The court often makes the final call in appeals since the Illinois Supreme Court typically hears less than 5 percent of requests.
"You are reviewing your former peers at the trial-court level," Popejoy said. "You are setting legal precedent and your opinions often are cited. So it's quite a responsibility. It's one that requires you to be a trial judge first. It's a natural progression after 11 years on the bench. It's time to make that next step up."