Illinois Judicial Circuit Court 12th Circuit 1st Subcircuit (Carlson Vacancy)
In Illinois, the Circuit Court is the court of original jurisdiction. There are 25 judicial circuits in the state, of which seven are single-county circuits (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will). The remaining eighteen circuits range from two to twelve counties each.Circuit judges are elected to six-year terms and may be retained by voters for additional six-year terms. They can hear any circuit court case. Circuit judges are initially elected either circuit-wide, from the county where they reside, or from a sub-circuit within a circuit, depending on the type of vacancy they are filling. Each circuit is administered by a chief judge who is elected by the vote of the circuit court judges of that circuit. [Source: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/ ]Review the Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls -https://www.isba.org/judicial-elections/reports/all-resultsSalary: $258,158 [Source: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/public/state-and-local-funding-for-the-illinois-courts/]
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Amy Christiansen
(Dem)
What qualifications do you bring to the office?
Describe your judicial philosophy?
What do you perceive as the most significant obstacles to justice in the Illinois justice system, if any?
What, if any, obligation do judges have to improve public understanding of the courts?
Do you believe the composition of juries adequately and fairly reflects society at large? Why or why not?
Campaign Phone
331-213-2351
Since June of 2024, I have served as a judge in a felony courtroom presiding over serious criminal matters and applying the law impartially. I bring nearly two decades of public service to the bench. For 18½ years, I served as a public defender representing indigent clients who could not afford an attorney. In that role, I worked to ensure that constitutional rights were protected, due process was followed, and the law was applied fairly to every single individual. I understood the responsibility of being protector of the Constitution. Before that, I worked for a nonprofit operating a charter school and assisting with immigration matters. My entire legal career has been dedicated to public service, fairness, and the rule of law.
My judicial philosophy is rooted in fairness, impartiality, and respect for the law. A judge’s role is to apply the law as written, guided by the Constitution and precedent. A judge should not let personal views or outside influences affect their ruling. Every person who comes before the court deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and judged based on the facts and the law. Justice must be administered equally and impartially, without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, financial status, or any other personal characteristic.
For many individuals, navigating the court system can be confusing and intimidating. This is particularly true for those who are unfamiliar with legal procedures or who lack access to legal counsel. Complex rules, formal processes, and unfamiliar terminology can make it difficult for people to fully understand their rights and responsibilities. When individuals feel overwhelmed or unheard, it can erode confidence in the judicial process.
To help improve public understanding of the courts, judges can work to ensure that proceedings are conducted efficiently and are not delayed longer than necessary. Judges can also strive to communicate clearly and transparently so that litigants understand the process and their rights. Most importantly, judges must ensure equal treatment for every person who comes before the court. Doing so is essential to maintaining fairness, accountability, and public trust in the justice system.
Juries are intended to reflect a cross-section of the community. However, in practice, they do not always fully represent the diversity of our society. This is particularly true in terms of race and socioeconomic status. Factors such as who summonses are sent to and who responds to summonses can unintentionally limit representation. Making sure that jury service is accessible and that all voices have the opportunity to participate is essential to maintaining fairness and public confidence in the justice system.
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