Thomas Schippers: 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: MundeleinWebsite: http://www.judgeschippers.comOffice sought: Third Subcircuit Seat BAge: 51Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Associate JudgeEducation: Juris Doctor, Loyola University School of Law, 1993 Bachelor of Science, English, Northern Michigan University, 1984Civic involvement: Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria De Popolo Lake County Bar Association Volunteer at various community eventsElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To maintain a fair and impartial judiciary.Key Issue 2 To maintain judicial restraint by following the law in each case, but at the same time to treat each case individually within the parameters of the law.Key Issue 3 To help ensure that the physical facilities at the Lake County Courthouse and the outlying facilities are improved and expanded to accommodate the increasing demands on the system.Questions Answers Do you favor the appointment of judges or do you prefer the election process' Please explain your answer.I believe there are pros and cons for each. With the appointment process, I believe candidates are put through a more thorough vetting process, which of course is good.The judges who appoint associates are much more informed than the average voter about judicial candidates, oftentimes knowing the candidates on a personal and professional level.The downside, I believe, is that appointments can be based upon political clout as opposed to merit.The biggest problem with electing judges is that the voters too often know little or nothing about the judicial candidates.Furthermore, an elected judge who makes an unpopular but legally sound decision can face difficulty during retention if a special interest group takes issue with one of the judge's opinions.This threatens the independence of the judiciary.Overall, I would not advocate changing the system we have here in Illinois, where judges are both appointed and elected.What special qualifications or experiences make you the best person to serve as a judge?When appointed to the bench almost five years ago, I was "highly recommended" by the Lake County Bar Association.I have worked extremely hard as an associate judge, presiding over more than 40 jury trials since getting on the bench.I received high approval ratings from attorneys who appear in front of me according to the Lake County Bar Association Judicial Survey completed this past summer.As an attorney, I have litigation experience in the federal, state and local level, both as a government attorney and as a private attorney.I have extensive experience in both civil and criminal matters.I taught trial practice at Loyola School of Law for many years, and I currently teach trial practice to practicing attorneys.I serve as adjunct faculty at Columbia College of Missouri, teaching business law and criminal justice classes.I also spent five years working as a newspaper reporter in Wisconsin, which I believe has given me experience outside the legal profession, and that broader experience assists me professionally.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?It is within the legislature's authority to set minimum and maximum sentences for various crimes, just as it is its authority to determine what acts constitute crimes. The Illinois Legislature has also set forth various statutory factors in aggravation and mitigation that the court can consider in meting out a sentence.These statutory provisions are certainly within the province of the legislature.But I have found that the sentencing provisions enacted by the Illinois Legislature allows me to treat each case individually but still within the statutory parameters, and thus I do not believe that it is necessary to provide judges with greater leeway at this time.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?Specialty courts have been extremely successful in reducing recidivism, and therefore I believe they should maintain a prominent presence in our court system.In Lake County, we have a drug court, domestic violence court, mental health court, and a newly formed veterans court.These courts are extremely successful because all the professionals assigned to those courts -- judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, counselors -- become experts in that particular field.Issues oftentimes are quite similar amongst the "clientele" within each of these courts.And because the professionals involved in these courts have such specialized experience and expertise in dealing with the issues endemic to each particular court, there is a much better chance that these defendants will receive sentences, services, and monitoring that provides the best chance for rehabilitation.Any time that an individual enters the court system as a defendant and leaves rehabilitated with the tools to become a functioning, law abiding citizen, then that is success.I believe these specialty courts help us reach these goals.Do you support eliminating the ban on cameras and recording devices in Illinois courtrooms' Why or why not?This is a decision that is left solely with the Illinois Supreme Court.As such, I have not studied the issue to the extent to where I could give a definitive answer to your question.I know there are sound arguments both in favor and against the proposal. If the Supreme Court were to allow cameras in the courtroom, I certainly would have no issue that decision.