Chief Judge Ann Callis
Circuit Judge Charles Romani
Circuit Judge John Knight
The Statewide Medical Alliance for the Survival of Healthcare (SMASH)
announced its endorsement of Judges Ann Callis, Charles Romani and John Knight for retention in the Third Judicial District which encompasses Madison and Bond Counties.
Morris Kugler, M.D. of Collinsville, chairman of SMASH said in a press release, "We have been impressed by the much-needed reforms introduced by Chief Judge Ann Callis and strongly supported by Judge Charles Romani and Judge John Knight."
"We have met with the judges and are persuaded by their commitment to a fair and open court system," he added.
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis said, "We appreciate the support and endorsement of area doctors."
"Our commitment as local judges is to restore public confidence in our local court system and we believe we are making great progress towards that goal," she said.
Circuit Judge Charles Romani, chief judge of the court's Criminal Division, said, "We want everyone who comes to our court system to know they will receive fair and equal treatment."
"The reforms we have supported are designed to help guarantee an impartial court system," Romani added.
"We have said before that court reform is not a partisan issue. We will support candidates of either party who will work to create a fair and balanced court system," Kugler said.
SMASH endorsed Republican Appellate Court Judge Stephen McGlynn last month.
Judge John Knight, presiding judge in Bond County, said, "The role of a judge is to give a fair and impartial hearing to all parties in a legal case. That's my goal every day in my courtroom in the Bond County Courthouse."
SMASH, a political action committee, formed in 2000 to promote the interests of physicians and their patients. The group, which was founded by Metro-East surgeon Morris Kugler, M.D., began as a grass roots effort by southern Illinois physicians to counter medical malpractice tort abuse.
The group, which has since gained membership statewide, was instrumental in the election of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier.