McHenry County residents face off in race for 22nd Circuit Judge

WOODSTOCK – McHenry County voters this year have the rare opportunity to select a 22nd Judicial Circuit Judge.

James Cowlin, 59, is running to retain the position he has held since September, when he was officially sworn in after the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him to fill the remainder of retired Judge Gordon Graham's term. Cowlin had been an associate judge since 2007.

Challenging him in the Republican primary is Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras, 45, who has been the deputy chief of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office Criminal Division for eight years.

Cowlin, a third-generation McHenry County judge and Crystal Lake resident, touted his experience hearing a range of traffic, civil, family and misdemeanor cases, as well as his experience working those cases as a lawyer from 1982 to 2007.

“I’m a proven commodity,” Cowlin said. “I have been on the bench eight years. My opponent has never sat on the bench. There is no guesswork on whether or not I make a good judge.”

Tsilimigras, however, said he believes he has more experience with criminal cases and jury trials than his opponent. In his current role, Tsilimigras supervises seven prosecutors and reviews misdemeanor cases. A Cary resident, he previously worked as an assistant state's attorney in Kane County.

“I have the trial experience that’s needed, but I worked on the other side of the bench,” Tsilimigras said. “Now, I can take those experiences and use that when I’m deciding cases.”

Illinois State Bar Association members favor Cowlin based on the results of a judicial advisory poll. Cowlin receive more support than Tsilimigras in integrity, impartiality, legal ability, temperament, court management, health and sensitivity.

Overall, 89.19 percent of members polled said they believe Cowlin met the requirements of the office, while 43.9 percent of members believed Tsilimigras did. Ultimately, Cowlin came recommended and Tsilimigras did not.

Both support implementing cameras in the courtroom with some safeguards. Cowlin said he is in favor as long as there are set policies that protect jurors, minors and public safety concerns. Likewise, Tsilimigras said trial judges should have authority over video and audio recordings.

To improve courtroom efficiencies, Tsilimigras called for case management orders and deadlines on every case. Cowlin said a judge should set the tone early on in the case by holding case management conferences.

The winner faces an uncontested race in the November election unless Democrats caucus in a candidate. The term is for six years.