John Hurlbut: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElginWebsite: www.johnhurlbutforjudge.comOffice sought: Second Subcircuit (vacancy)Age: Family: Married to Catherine Schick Hurlbut for 27 years. Parents of three boys ages 14 to 24Occupation: Partner in the law firm Hurlbut Hurlbut, P.C., in Elgin, IllinoisEducation: Valparaiso University School of Law, Juris Doctor, May 1984; Valparaiso University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, May 1981Civic involvement: Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Elgin, Illinois, Chair, January 2011-December 2011, Board of Directors January 2008-PresentElgin Community College Foundation, Elgin, Illinois, Chair, July 2008-June 2010; Board of Directors, 2002-PresentUnited Way of Elgin, South Elgin, Illinois, Chair, May 2006-December 2007; Board of Directors, January 2006-Present; Youth Fund Distribution Panel, 2000-2006City of Elgin Planning and Development Commission, Elgin, Illinois, Chair, 2004-2009; Member, 2000-2009Cosmopolitan International, Overland Park, Kansas, Judge Advocate, July 1997-June 1998; Governor, Mid-States Federation, July 1999-June 2000; President, Watch City Cosmopolitan Club, 1995-1996; Member, Watch City Cosmopolitan Club, 1995-PresentElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Key Issue 2 Key Issue 3 Questions Answers Do you favor the appointment of judges or do you prefer the election process' Please explain your answer.The methods of selecting judges are prescribed in the Illinois constitution. Currently, our circuit judges are elected in partisan elections and must run for retention on a non-partisan ballot. Associate judges are appointed by the circuit judges pursuant to Supreme Court rule. Changes to these methods are the province of the legislature and the voters. As a judicial candidate, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to offer an opinion as to whether any amendments should be considered at this time. What special qualifications or experiences make you the best person to serve as a judge?I have been a practicing attorney for more than 27 years. After graduation from Valparaiso University School of Law, I clerked for a state appellate court judge in Indiana. Following my clerkship, I became a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice's Immigration and Naturalization Service in Chicago, trying administrative immigration cases everyday. Within three years I became the Deputy District Counsel in that office. As the number two lawyer in the Chicago Office, I assisted in managing up to twenty trial attorneys and litigation staff, reviewed and approved appeals, reviewed appellate briefs, coordinated federal court litigation with the United States Attorneys Offices in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and the Office of Immigration Litigation of the Department of Justice. For nearly two years I served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois defending the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and its employees and agents, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. While an attorney with the Department of Justice, I successfully completed the National Institute for Trial Advocacy skills program and the Civil Advocacy Course at the Attorney General's Advocacy Institute. For the last thirteen years I have maintained a private practice in Elgin, Illinois. My practice includes a wide range of civil litigation, misdemeanor and traffic defense, as well as practice before the immigration agencies and courts.After entering private practice, I have been honored to serve on the boards of a number of community organizations. I am currently on the boards of directors for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Elgin, and the Elgin Community College Foundation. I have also been honored to be selected by my fellow board members to serve as the chair of each of those organizations. Additionally, I served on the City of Elgin, Planning and Development Commission for nine years, the last five years of which I was appointed its chair by the City Council.The depth and breadth of my legal experience, combined with my commitment to and experience in my community, has prepared me for the position of circuit court judge in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. What are your thoughts on mandatory sentencing? Do you believe judges should have greater leeway when it comes to sentencing defendants' Why or why not?Criminal sentencing ranges and guidelines in Illinois are the province of the legislature, the appellate and supreme courts. As a trial judge, I would apply the law as enacted and as interpreted by higher courts in a fair and even handed manner based upon the facts presented to me. As a candidate for circuit judge, I believe it would be inappropriate to offer opinions on specific reform proposals. I would, as a sitting judge, offer my insights based on my wide-ranging legal experience in the appropriate forum.What are your thoughts on the use of drug courts, domestic violence courts, veterans courts, mental health courts and prostitution courts' Have they been effective?Special emphasis courts have been effective. When communities are faced with large numbers of a specific problem or issue, the establishment of a court with judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, professionals, and support personnel with specialized training and experience in those particular areas can effectively deal with those individuals efficiently. In Kane County, drug and domestic violence courts have been very effective in addressing these issues and moving those cases through the court system expeditiously.Do you support eliminating the ban on cameras and recording devices in Illinois courtrooms' Why or why not?The Illinois Supreme Court recently announced that it would allow cameras in certain trial courtrooms on an experimental, circuit by circuit basis. In the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Chief Judge Spence has announced that he will appoint a panel to study the significant issues involved and make recommendations to him. This cautious approach to the implementation of cameras in our trial courts is essential to ensure that the competing interests of the public and litigation participants are properly balanced.