Vote March 20 : Tim Leeming for Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court (vacancy of Dooling)

Tim would not be the first Palette and Chisel member to serve the judiciary -- but he might be the first who was not already on the bench when he joined the Academy.

I happen to be a big fan of Tim's painting.  He specializes in dumpsters, rotting brick work, and crooked telephone poles ---  i.e. he paints alleys.

Does this qualify him to be a judge?

By my traditional Confucian way of thinking - absolutely!   In imperial China, one qualified for positions of public responsibility by demonstrating a mastery of painting and calligraphy --as well as a familiarity with the written tradition.

Confucius asserted that civil society requires harmony -- and nothing is more harmonious than a beautiful painting.

In addition, one might note that Tim paints those parts of the city that are undistinguished but necessary -- just as a judge should reckon that every member of society is equally important, whether its the doorman or the owner of a high rise building.

 

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But one should also consider the qualifications of his opponents.

Tom Sam Sianis (co-owner of Chicago's famous Billy Goat Tavern)  has specialized in investigating and persecuting securities fraud. This is important work -- but how often has he worked with the bottom 99% of our city's population ?  He's been endorsed by the county Democratic Party -- which gives him a significant edge - but then whom will he be really serving?

Corri Diane Fetman , the "lawyer of love" columnist for Playboy Magazine, has built a private practice that specializes in divorce. She's MUCH BETTER looking than either one of her opponents, and ran a promotional  billboard campaign, “Life’s Short. Get a Divorce” that received national recognition.  She's smart, tough, and entrepreneurial.  But can she understand the lives of Chicagoans who cannot afford her? 

As a pubic defender, Tim has been the attorney of last resort for the underclass.  He knows that world and he's been dedicated to improving it.

For Sianis and Fegman, sitting on the bench would be an honor.

For Tim it would be the continuation and expansion of his life's work.

So I'm voting for Tim -- though I'm hoping it would not reduce his time spent painting.