MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for Judge Steve McGlynn.

Judge McGlynn is running for an open seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court. His opponent is Judy Cates, a personal injury and class action lawyer from St. Clair County. I have personally debated Judy Cates on the topic of tort reform, and I have found her to be both very opinionated and one-sided in her approach to the law.

Judge McGlynn is a man of integrity. He has twice been unanimously appointed as a judge by the Illinois Supreme Court. He has been rated as “recommended” and “highly qualified” by his peers at the Illinois State Bar Association.

Judge McGlynn has shown an ability to work well with judges and court administrators of both parties in Madison and St. Clair Counties. Such a trait would greatly benefit those who come before the Fifth District Appellate Court, be they plaintiffs or defendants.

Perhaps most importantly is Judge McGlynn’s history of judicial impartiality. Given the tenor and manner in which our court systems have been run in Southern Illinois, the Fifth District needs a man of honor like Judge McGlynn on the bench. Electing Judge McGlynn would help restore balance to the Fifth District Appellate Court.

I am proud to support Judge McGlynn, and I hope voters will do the same.

Edward Ragsdale, M.D.

Alton