Elect Flannigan in 12th sub-circuit

To the editor: My friends often say that they don't know much about the judicial candidates they vote for on Election Day, so I decided to write to the Daily Herald to recommend an excellent candidate.

Thomas Flannigan is running for judge in the Democratic Primary in the 12th Judicial Sub-circuit, which includes many of Chicago's Northwest suburbs.

Thomas Flannigan has been practicing law for 24 years and has received high grades from many Bar Associations. But that is not the reason I plan to vote for him. Thomas Flannigan is the only candidate I can recall who refuses to take financial contributions. I learned this when reviewing his Web site at www.tomforjudge.com.

I would imagine that this puts him at a certain disadvantage in this day when so much money is spent on judicial campaigns and money often decides the outcome of judicial elections.

However, an independent judiciary is critical to the survival of a free society. One of the ways we can assure an independent judiciary is to vote for judges who do not owe anyone for their seat on the bench.

I urge Daily Herald readers to vote for Thomas Flannigan on Feb. 5, 2008.

Judith Bush

Mount Prospect