Thomas Raymond Molitor
Name: Thomas Raymond Molitor
Age: 61
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Winnetka
Current position: Self-employed attorney
Past legal experience: 34
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Law school: 1984
Campaign website: molitorforjudge.com
Family: Married for 32 years to Sherry; four great kids — Tommy, Ellie, Mary & Michael
Hobbies/interests: Any construction trade, Cubs fan
Have you ever run for office before?
Yes. I ran for an open judgeship, on a lark, 10 years out of law school. I was found unqualified by every bar association for the simple reason that I was truly unqualified. It was interesting. I figured after 20 more years in the courtrooms, I’m ready to give it another shot.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I have successfully litigated cases in every division of the Cook County court system and most of the surrounding counties. I have appeared before hundreds of judges. I know a good judge from a bad judge. I am fair-minded and a problem solver. I believe have the requisite skills, legal knowledge and temperament to be a good judge.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I think it’s every litigator’s dream (whether they’ll admit it or not) to wear the robes. I can’t think of a more honorable profession. I have enjoyed the sport of advocacy. Now I want to be an umpire!
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
I represented the family of Tricia Pacacaccio, who was found stabbed to death on her back porch in Glenview in August of 1993. The case went cold. In order to regenerate interest in the investigation, on the day before the second anniversary of her murder, I filed a wrongful death suit in the Law Division of Cook County; naming “John Doe” as the defendant. To my knowledge, it’s never been done before. It played a small part in the ultimate capture of her alleged killer, Michael Gargiulo, a former neighbor, who is awaiting trial in California on multiple murder charges.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Without a doubt, it would be my representation of the hundreds of young men (and an occasional young lady), in their teens to early twenties, that were basically good kids that made bad decisions. Many were faced with life-changing criminal cases. I latch on to those cases with a special enthusiasm. Nothing gives me greater joy than to see these young men now, some with families of their own, leading productive lives; knowing that my work made a difference.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
Courtroom experience. Good judgment. Bad spelling. Even temperament. Problem solving skills.