Current States Attorney Don Knapp is facing off against Associate Judge Amy McFarland in a race for the position of Illinois 11th Circuit Judge. The 11th Circuit is made up of Woodford, Livingston, McLean, Ford and Logan counties. Knapp has served as State’s Attorney for four years. McFarland has been an Associate Judge for 6 years.
Knapp introduces himself on his website by saying, “For nearly 12 years I worked in a judge’s chambers at the appellate court writing the court’s opinions and orders which both affirmed and reversed trial judges’ rulings from the eastern to the western border of the state. I’ve been called upon to review and analyze trial court rulings on virtually every area of state law. … it is safe to say that my career path has not followed anyone’s traditional script yet it has afforded me the opportunity to develop an incredibly broad range of legal skills and abilities. Whether drafting language for the project development agreement that helped bring an auto manufacturer to the community or leading a team of prosecutors who have won an unprecedented 11 murder trials in a row, I look forward to reviewing my career experiences and accomplishments with the citizens of the circuit as I seek their vote in the upcoming election.”
McFarland’s website opens touting her legal credentials saying she, “has more than 20 years of legal and trial experience serving as a public defender, a general practitioner owning her own firm, and as an associate judge. Amy strives to be an engaged public servant for the citizens of the 11th Circuit and to apply the laws of Illinois and the constitution, leading with the principles of fairness, accountability, integrity, and respect.”
Cities 92.9 reached out to Knapp and and asked him why residents should vote for him over McFarland. He responded, “With the implementation of the SAFE-T Act and the General Assembly’s decision to limit a judges discretion concerning detaining defendants, I think it is more important than ever to have judges who appropriately exercise the discretion they have actually retained. I think that I am uniquely positioned to properly exercise that discretion in making the decisions that make our communities as safe as possible.”
McFarland emphasizes results of an Illinois State Bar Association poll in which she is rated higher than Knapp. Lawyers with knowledge of candidates for judicial office evaluated both candidates. McFarland scored higher than Knapp on integrity, impartiality, legal ability, temperament, court management and sensitivity to diversity & bias, with respect to the judicial office and off-the-bench conduct affecting the judicial office.
Knapp provided a response to Cities regarding the bar poll saying, “With all due respect to the Illinois State Bar Association, I’ve never worried about my popularity among lawyers and judges. You’ll see that my results are exactly where Judge Reynard’s were when he successfully ran for Judge in 2002 and the adversarial nature of our job has only increased since that time. I think this poll illustrates one of the main differences between my opponent and me. My support from the five counties elected sheriffs and the largest police association in the circuit shows the universal support I have from those that arrest criminals. My opponent clearly has more support from those who defend criminals.”
McFarland has been accused of being a Democrat meddling in the Republican Primary. She has the support of David Gill who is described by BLNNEWS Editor Diane Benjamin as a “four time failed progressive Democrat congressional candidate.” She also has the support of John Kim who serves on McFarland’s committee, supports Joe Biden and Tammy Duckworth, and has chaired the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company’s Corporate Law Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Representative Adam Kinzinger who voted to impeach President Trump and serves on Nancy Pelosi’s January 6 Committee has donated to her campaign. Country First, an organization started by Kinzinger, that claims on its website to be, “a home for reasonable people of goodwill, seeking common ground to make our country better for future generations,” also contributed to her campaign.
Cities 92.9 reached out to McFarland to get a response to the accusation but did not receive a response.