1.

Name (State full name and any former names used):

Colleen Reardon Daly (maiden name Colleen Mary Reardon)
2. Age
47
3. Education (List schools, years attended, and degrees received)
John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois
Juris Doctorate – May 1996

Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Teaching Certification, Grades 6-12 – July 1993

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – May 1992
4. Current occupation and employer
Since 2010, I have been in private practice. I am currently the sole proprietor of my own firm Colleen
R. Daly, Attorney of Law, LLC.
5. Current hometown, and neighborhood if Chicago. If subcircuit candidate: How long have you lived there?
I currently reside in Chicago, IL in the Sauganash neighborhood. I have lived in the 10th Judicial
Subcircuit, where I am running for judge, for my entire life. I live in the 39th Ward, and have also
resided in the 40th and 47th wards. I was raised in this Subcircuit and am raising my family here.
6. Work history (List with years)
-Cook County State’s Attorneys Office, Assistant State’s Attorney (1996-2009)
-Daly & Russell, LLC, Partner (2010-2012)
-Colleen R. Daly, Attorney at Law, LLC, Sole Practitioner (2012-Present)

7. In what areas of law do you have experience?

I am proud of the extensive and diversified legal experience I have obtained over my 21 years as a
litigator. I have criminal law experience both as a prosecutor, in a variety of assignments, and now as a
defense attorney. I have experience and regularly practice juvenile law including the representation of
parents and children, as their Guardian Ad Litem, in Child Protection matters. I have experience and
practice appellate practice, domestic relations, and administrative reviews in Chancery Court. I also
have experience and represent individuals in a variety of administrative matters before the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services, Police Board of the City of Chicago, and the Human
Resources Board of the City of Chicago.
8. List your bar association memberships.
Chicago Bar Association Criminal In-Court Attorney Referral Program
Chicago Bar Association Juvenile Bar Attorney Program
Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association Member
Women's Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association Member
North Suburban Bar Association

9. List all professional, business, fraternal, scholarly, civic, charitable, or other organizations to which
you belong.
I have been a Certified Cook County Mandatory Arbitrator since 2010. I am also a member of the
Steering Committee for the Illinois Parent Attorney Network (IPAN). We are an organization of
attorneys who represent parents and promote education and fairness in the child welfare system
along with family preservation and reunification.

I am a volunteer attorney for the Wills for Heroes Program where we draft wills and other related
power of attorney documents for active and retired First Responders including military, law
enforcement, firefighters and paramedics. This organization was created after the tragic events of
September 11, 2001. I am also a volunteer instructor in the Art in Action Program at my children’s
grammar school.

I was also nominated and am a 2017 member of the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
10 Best Attorneys for exceptional and outstanding client service. I also previously obtained my
Secondary Teaching Certification many years ago and plan in the future to hopefully serve in an
adjunct teaching capacity as well.

10. Describe your civic involvement.

In addition to the answers above regarding my volunteerism, I am a strong supporter of local
businesses and youth sports and am a regular sponsor of local youth softball and baseball teams. I
am an avid runner and completed the Chicago Marathon in 2014 and 2016, and the 2017 ½
marathon, with a local group of women to raise money for both Misericordia and the Danny Did
Foundation.

11. Describe your current and former political involvement.

I am currently a member of the 39th Ward Democratic Organization. Over the years, I have been
involved in various Democratic campaigns including those of various Democratic candidates for
judge, as well as, Senator Laura Murphy. I have walked precincts, been a poll watcher on Election
Day, handed out literature door to door, and done phone banking.

12. Have you run for judge before? When and for which seat?
Yes, in 2016 I ran for Circuit Court Judge in the Garritt Howard Vacancy in the 10th Judicial
Subcircuit.

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13. List your published writings, with dates and with links if available.
I do not have any published writings to date. My legal practice as a litigator however has always
involved writing briefs and legal memorandum which I draft and file on a regular basis.

I have also presented and been a panelist on juvenile law related topics at seminars.

14. Why do you want to be a Cook County judge?

I am seeking a judicial position to serve the public and ensure that all people will be treated equally
and fairly in court. I believe that my diverse professional and personal accomplishments, as well as
my work ethic and integrity have prepared me for the judiciary. As a former prosecutor, I sought
justice for victims of crime. As a defense attorney, and a person who has represented people in
matters where one’s liberty, family, occupation, reputation and/or future may be at stake, I truly
understand the legal challenges people face and how these hardships affect families, businesses and
communities. I will be a fair, compassionate and hard working.

15. What are the most pressing issues facing the justice system and why?
Based on my experience, there are various pressing issues in the administration of justice in Illinois.
These involve individuals having access to counsel in all areas of law, alternative dispositions and
court deferral programs, and the treatment, resources and court alternatives available to those
suffering from mental illness.

Many individuals in civil and in family related matters are unable to afford counsel and legal fees. I
hope more attorneys and firms will take matters pro bono. Moreover, while there are many
alternative dispositions and court deferral programs in place, these can be further expanded
including in juvenile delinquency matters, non-violent first offender matters, and substance abuse
related offenses. Also, the restorative justice model can be further utilized and expanded in which
victims, offenders, and community members are all involved as this encourages responsibility,
empowers individuals, and helps repair the harms that may have been done to an individual or
community.

Finally, treatment and court alternatives should be continually advanced and considered for those
suffering from mental illnesses that are in the criminal justice system. This is a pressing issue as well.

16. How will your experiences help you serve as a good judge?
I believe that my diverse professional background and balanced perspective, as well as my work
ethic and integrity, will all contribute to me being a very good judge. I have been a litigator for the
past 21 years and have obtained a wide range of legal experience in the criminal, juvenile, civil and
administrative law areas. I am currently the sole proprietor of Colleen R. Daly, Attorney at Law,
LLC and my practice areas include criminal defense, juvenile law, representation of children as
their Guardian Ad Litem, traffic, appellate work, domestic relations and representation of
individuals in various types of administrative matters.

As a former prosecutor, I obtained substantial court room experience in bench and jury trials. I
tried and litigated numerous bench and jury trials with varying issues, researched and composed
appellate briefs, drafted memoranda, appeared in court and interacted with opposing counsel, and
the judiciary on a daily basis. I served in a wide variety of assignments including the Criminal
Appeals Division, where I argued various cases in the Illinois Appellate Court – First District, the
Juvenile Justice Bureau –Child Protection and Delinquency Divisions, and the Felony Trial Division.

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 Now, as a defense attorney for over 8 years, I truly understand the legal challenges that people face
and how many of these hardships affect families, business, and communities. My experience as an
arbitrator has also honed my ability to truly hear both sides of an issue. Very often when people are
involved in litigation, one’s liberty, means of supporting themselves, one’s family, or one’s
reputation is at stake or in jeopardy. It is critical that a judge be independent, possess a balanced
perspective on all matters, take this position with the utmost seriousness, and also possess
compassion and integrity. I believe that I possess all of these qualities.

I have also practiced in numerous courthouses and observed the practices of effective and excellent
judges and litigators. I have received very favorable bar ratings from all reviewing bar associations.
Also, as a sole practitioner, I manage a heavy case load and execute business management activities.
I am confident that my temperament and desire for continual learning would greatly serve the
public. All of these qualities will help me fulfill my duties and public service if I so honored to be
elected and serve.

17. What do you wish voters knew about you?

I would like voters to know about my legal diversified background, my favorable bar association
ratings, my strong and lifelong involvement in the community where I am running for judge, my
reputation in the legal and neighborhood communities, my work ethic, and my unwavering integrity.
I have also, along with my committee, run this campaign with integrity, and am very humbled by the
unwavering support from my family and the community in this campaign.

I would also like voters to know that I am endorsed by many elected officials and organizations
including the Chicago Federation of Labor and its 300 affiliated unions, the Democratic Party, and
the National Organization of Women (NOW) PAC. My website Dalyforjudge.com contains the
entire list.

I would like voters to know that I am down to earth and a regular person. I have always been an
active member of the community and am actively involved in various charitable activities.

My greatest honor is being the mother of three children. My oldest daughter is a high school senior,
has registered to vote and will be eligible to vote for the first time this March. We hope that all
voters exercise their choices at the polls.

Finally, I would like the voters to know that I would be very honored to have their vote.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to complete this questionnaire and answer these
important questions.

Very Truly Yours,

Colleen Reardon Daly