Stephanie K. Miller
Name: Stephanie Miller
Age: 46
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Chicago
Current position: Cook County circuit judge, appointed Jan. 30, 2017
Past legal experience: Cook County assistant state’s attorney, 2001-17; Cook County assistant public guardian, 1998-2001
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $220,905.81
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $33,458.99
Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1999
Campaign website: electjudgestephaniemiller.com
Family: Wife, Darcie Trier; Children, Cole and Alexandra Miller (13 year old twins)
Hobbies/interests: I’m an avid sports fan and used to be an Illinois High School Association softball umpire.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I have spent my entire legal career in public service as an assistant public guardian, an assistant state’s attorney and now as a judge. I have almost 20 years of experience handling both civil and criminal matters and have been found “Qualified” and “Recommended” by all of the bar associations. I was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as judge in 2017 and have a year’s worth of experience doing the job I seek to win in the election.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I aspired to be a judge because I believe serving the public is an honor and something I have strived to do my entire legal career. Since I have been a sitting judge I have seen the impact the judiciary has from a perspective that I had never witnessed before. Dispensing fair, balanced and impartial decisions is something I do now and want to continue to do.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
When I was a prosecutor with the State’s Attorney’s Office, I spent a portion of my career in the sex crimes unit where I handled cases involving child and adolescent victims. I successfully prosecuted a defendant who was convicted of numerous counts of predatory criminal sexual assault that he perpetrated against several of his adopted daughters. These girls were young and terrified and had no one else in their lives for support. His conviction brought a sense of safety to them, and they were subsequently adopted by another family where they are thriving.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Being appointed to the bench in the 6th Judicial Subcircuit, the area I have lived and raised my family for almost 15 years.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I pride myself on being fair and impartial. I will continue to show the patience and calm demeanor that I have demonstrated in my year on the bench to date. With both experience in civil and criminal matters, I bring a breadth of legal knowledge. As a Puerto Rican lesbian I bring a level of diversity to the bench that can be an asset as well.