Michael Clancy: 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: Oak ParkWebsite: http://www.electjudgeclancy.comOffice sought: 11th Subcircuit (O'Brien vacancy)Age: 48Family: Married, four childrenOccupation: Judge, Circuit Court Cook CountyEducation: Juris Doctorate in Law, University of Illinois College of Law,1989. Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, 1985.Civic involvement: West Suburban Bar Association, Board of Governors. Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Past Board of Directors. St. Giles Parish, Lector and leader in men's group. Oak Park Youth Baseball, Coach. River Forest Park District Basketball, Coach. Rebuilding Together, Volunteer.Elected offices held: None.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To encourage the public trust by acting each day as a judge in a manner that respects and honors the awesome responsibility given to the judiciary.Key Issue 2 To perform my role as a judge with integrity, dignity and devotion to establish the public's confiidence in the judiciary.Key Issue 3 To use the law, the code of judicial conduct, and common sense to always act as an ethical and fair judge.Questions Answers Do you favor the appointment of judges or do you prefer the election process' Please explain your answer.I believe in democracy.I believe in the voters.The challenge of a democratic election is providing judicial candidate information to the voters to support an informed decision resulting in the election of the most qualified candidate.The Daily Herald Voter Guide and other news sources are readily available to the public.I am hopefully that expanding forms of electronic communication will assist the voter in selecting the most qualified judges.I am keenly aware that democratic elections are not perfect, but no other system is better or more open.What special qualifications or experiences make you the best person to serve as a judge?Last year the Illinois Supreme Court honored me with an appointment to fill the O'Brien vacancy in the 11th Judicial Subcircuit.I have received qualified, recommended, and/or highly recommended reviews by 12 bar associations.I believe this is because over the course of my 22-year legal career I have proven to be knowledgeable and experienced in the law, having served as a respected civil litigator, prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge.My extensive trial experience both as a defense attorney and prosecutor - having tried jury and bench trials, negotiated pleas, litigated pre-trial motions, and appeared as attorney of record on more than 1,000 cases since 1990 - prepared me well to be a judge.The Chicago Bar Association declared that I am "...thoughtful, articulate, and well-regarded for [my] legal knowledge and ability."The Chicago Council of Lawyers opined that I am "...considered to be a good practitioner with substantial jury and bench litigation experience in more complex matters...and praised for [my] temperament."The Democratic Party, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Fraternal Order of Police have endorsed me.My life off the bench has prepared me well to serve on it.It has been filled with hard work, discipline, diversity, compassion, joy, and high moral values through the experiences and institutions that include:- Oak Park-River Forest High School where I was an All-State runner in track and cross country.- The University of Iowa which I attended on a track scholarship was a member of the Dean's List in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and graduated from double-majoring in History and Political Science and minoring in Economics.- The University of Illinois College of Law where I was a Marvin Novick Memorial Scholarship recipient and Student Bar Association President and from which I graduated.I paid for my legal education by combining the academic scholarhip and by working as an undergraduate teaching assistant and summer law associate positions.- Oak Park, where I grew up in a family of six and returned to live with my wonderful wife of 18 years, who is also a talented attorney and the amazing mother of our four terrific children.- My service on the board of the Oak Park Reginal Housing Center.- St. Giles Parish, where I serve as a leader in the men's group; coordinate food delivery to the poor and homeless in Austin; participated annually in Rebuilding Together to rehab homes in the Austin and Englewood neighborhoods; and provide free handyman service for our elderly parishioners.- My ten years as a youth baseball and basketball coach.- My service on the Board of Governors of the West Suburban Bar Association.My wide-ranging backround allows me to relate to the various people who appear before me and to understand the gravity of how my decisions affect their lives.Each day I am reminded of the awesome responsibility I have to act in a manner that respects, honors, and encourages the public trust.As a judge, I strive to perform with integrity, dignity, and devotion to establish the public's confidence in the judiciary.My goal is to use the law, the code of judicial conduct, and common sense to always act as an ethical and fair judge.For these reasons, I hope the voters will allow me to continue to serve.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?As a sitting judge, I follow statutory and case law, including the current sentencing laws.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?As a sitting judge, I comply with the statutes, the case law and the various court structures.Do you support eliminating the ban on cameras and recording devices in Illinois courtrooms' Why or why not?As a sitting judge, I support the requirement that courts must be open to the public.