Beatriz Ana Frausto-Sandoval
Beatriz Ana Frausto-Sandoval

Name: Beatriz Ana Frausto-Sandoval

Age: 37

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Law Office of Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval

Past legal experience: Law Office of Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval, six years; Hudson Legal Group, one year; Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym Ltd., four years; Law Office of Scott E. Bellgrau, one year

Campaign funds available, Dec. 31-Dec. 31: $4,200

Campaign funds spent, Dec. 13-Dec. 31: $0

Law school: DePaul University College of Law, 2005

Campaign website: beatrizforjudge.com

Family: Husband Jose L. Frausto Jr., daughter Violeta, 3, and Marcos, 5

Hobbies/interests: Gardening, writing, motorcycles

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

If I am elected to the circuit court, I would truly represent the communities, values, and history of the 14th Subcircuit, which encompasses the neighborhoods I’ve lived in nearly my whole life (Cicero, Pilsen, Gage Park) and where I have served many families as an immigration attorney for the past twelve years. I come from an immigrant, union family from Guadalajara, Mexico, and was raised from age 9 by my older siblings after my parents’ passing. I understand the struggles that working families and immigrants face, and how challenging it can be for those without resources to engage with our court systems. I deeply care for the right of all people — regardless of legal status — living in the subcircuit area to access justice in all legal processes in our courts.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I have served families and individuals as an immigration attorney for 12 years during which I have come to care deeply for the communities in our city and county. As a judge, I would be able to make reasoned, fair, and compassionate decisions which have a direct, immediate impact on the people of the city and county. It is about time we had a Latina on the bench to represent the 14th Judicial Subcircuit, one of two subcircuits in Cook County with a large Latino population, yet one which has consistently failed to reflect its communities.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

Throughout the years I have met many interesting clients from all over the world with touching, sometimes heartbreaking stories of struggle, hardship, and severe persecution. I have helped people start lives or reunite with fiancées or spouses from other countries; helped spare people from deportation to violent, crime-torn, and/or destitute countries for whom a return would mean suffering for them and their U.S. citizen relatives. I have learned first-hand the histories of immigrants from Eastern Bloc, Central America, South Africa, the Middle East, and many more.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

I have had many individual successes as an immigration attorney. My greatest accomplishment is that I can count on one hand the number of clients whose cases I have fought and lost, and who have had to return to their home country. I remember every one of them, and I have done my best to make sure that those cases remain the anomalies in my practice.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I possess great organizational, legal research, writing, and trial advocacy skills and have a proven record in my chosen area of concentration. I will faithfully execute the letter of the law with compassion and an understanding that the individuals appearing before me do not exist in a vacuum; they are affected by their circumstances, education, racial and social background, immigration status and a host of other factors not directly at issue before me. My career representing mostly working-class individuals and families will make me a better judge since I would bring a wider perspective to the bench. At a time when so many politicians are willing to scapegoat immigrants, we need judges at all levels who will stand up for the real American values of justice and liberty for all.