Grivetti announces candidacy for Circuit Judge

STANDARD — Standard’s John Grivetti has announced his candidacy for the office of Circuit Judge in Putnam County. Grivetti is running as an independent in the Nov. 4 general election.

“I have been practicing law for over 43 years, and I believe that I have the experience and temperament to serve as a circuit judge. It is a daunting challenge, but my years of experience have prepared me for it,” Grivetti said. “I have practiced in courts throughout Illinois, appearing in over 60 of the Illinois counties, as well as in courts in our surrounding states, and that has given me an exposure to the legal system that is extensive and varied. While the political party candidates are both fine men, I have always felt that a judge should be truly independent of any influence, whether by virtue of friendship, politics or money. I will accept no donations from lawyers or political litigants for my campaign.”

Grivetti graduated from Standard Grade School and St. Bede Academy before attending Loyola University in Chicago for his undergraduate work in business and for law school. After completing his legal studies, he immediately opened his law practice. Grivetti has served as Putnam County State’s Attorney and was admitted to practice in Illinois state courts, federal courts in Illinois and Michigan and the U.S. Supreme Court and has appeared in other states by special permission.

Grivetti noted, “While serving as state’s attorney, in cooperation with two sheriffs we compiled an outstanding conviction record, including the first murder conviction in Putnam County in over 50 years. However, serving as a judge requires a different approach than that of a prosecutor, as each case is unique and must be independently evaluated. A judge cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach, and I believe my experience is such that I can provide the judgment needed for all kinds of cases. In my practice, over one-half of the work I have done has been pro-bono, and I am well aware of the great effect a legal case has on people appearing in court.”

While in private practice, Grivetti was hired by a large legal publisher to be part of a team summarizing all Illinois legal cases and creating an index of important legal points in those cases.

“I worked on 25 to 50 cases per week for over three years, beginning with statehood in 1818 through the 2000s. This required intensive analysis of each case and provided me with a unique and unparalleled overview of Illinois law in all its facets.”

Grivetti has four children and 14 grandchildren. In addition to his law practice and research work, he served as golf coach at Loyola University and has completed more than 100 marathon and ultra-marathon runs, from 26.2 to more than 70 miles.