Nizamuddin, Otte, Felice lead in primaries for DuPage judge posts

Azam Nizamuddin was leading opponent David Guy Stevens late Tuesday in the bid for the Democratic nomination to become a DuPage County judge.

With 93% of the precincts counted, Nizamuddin had 46,470 votes to Stevens' 40,253, according to unofficial results.

The seat was formerly held by Patrick O'Shea. The Illinois Courts Commission removed O'Shea last year for misconduct. He was accused of lying to police about his firing a handgun in to a common wall in his apartment, and of sexually harassing two courthouse employees.

In the Democratic primary for another vacant seat, Jill Otte led Alice Wilson, 43,182 votes to 41,328 votes.

The winner will face Associate Judge Ann Celeine Walsh, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. Walsh last week was assigned to the felony division, replacing Liam Brennan, who was appointed to the 2nd District Appellate Court.

Richard Felice had 10,092 votes in the Republican primary for a nomination for the O'Shea vacancy, ahead of Greg Abbott, Richard Veenstra and John Pcolinski.

All the candidates were recommended or highly recommended by the DuPage County Bar Association, except for Stevens, who was given a rating of "not recommended at this time."

Democrat Jeffrey M. Jacobson will face Republican Judge Monique O'Toole for the position formerly held by Robert Anderson, who retired last year. Margaret O'Connell was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for the judicial post held by Judge George Bakalis. She will face Republican Associate Judge James F. McCluskey, who was also unopposed.

Bakalis is retiring, after 30 years. He was appointed in 1990 as an associate judge, and was elected circuit judge in 1996,