Meet the Democratic candidates who will be on the ballot in Will County this year. General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
An experienced legal professional and public servant, Judge John Anderson is seeking election to the Illinois Appellate Court. John’s journey to the bench was unconventional with many personal struggles and hardships along the way, including a period of homelessness.
His personal journey provides John with a unique perspective on the role of the judicial system and underlies his commitment to civic and community engagement. John has taken action to ensure the court system is fair for all individuals, helping direct the distribution of $40 million in grants to organizations providing legal services to those most in need. Voted the 2018 Judicial Officer of the Year, Judge Anderson has served with distinction as a Circuit Judge since 2010. As Circuit Judge, John has been entrusted to hear some of the most difficult and complicated cases in the court system. Passionate about equal access to justice, Anderson is committed to improving the court system’s user- friendliness for self-represented litigants.
A distinguished career in law, Judge Lance Peterson is seeking re-election to serve as Justice of the 3 rd Appellate District. Born in Joliet and raised in Grundy County, Lance earned his undergraduate degree from Millikin University and a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School.
Peterson brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the appellate bench, having previously served as a Circuit Court Judge in Grundy County in which he heard all types of cases including felony criminal cases, family law, and complex civil litigation, including over 100 jury trials. Lance has taken efforts to help reduce crime and prevent offenders from re-offending. He oversaw the creation of the Grundy County Mental Health Court to address the problem of people suffering from mental illness entering the criminal justice system. He created the Grundy County Juvenile Justice Diversion Program to help his communitie’s troubled youth by attacking the family problems which are often at the core of juvenile crime. Lance also helped start Grundy County’s first domestic violence shelter in 1997 and established the Domestic Violence Diversion Program of the State’s Attorney’s office the same year.
The first Democrat to win election as a Circuit Court Judge in DuPage County’s 179-year history, Judge Linda Davenport brings over 20 years of legal experience and a steadfast commitment to justice. Linda started her own law firm in DuPage County, shortly after graduating from law school in 1978. In 1995, she was sworn in as the first woman President of the 117-year-old DuPage County Bar Association.
Ensuring fairness and integrity in our court system is an important priority for Judge Davenport. She is honored to serve on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission which is charged with handling attorney misconduct. Supporting working families has always been a priority for Judge Davenport, which is why she helped established a day-care center in the courthouse for litigants.
Colette Safford is a highly accomplished attorney running for Circuit Judge of Will County. A diverse and extensive legal background has provided Colette with a comprehensive understanding of the law, enabling her to confront and solve the multifaceted challenges within our courts with confidence.
As a circuit judge, Colette will strive for justice that is fair, consistent, and compassionate for every member of the Will County community. Her commitment reaches beyond interpreting the law championing safe neighborhoods, enforcing personal accountability, and maintaining trust and confidence in our judiciary system. Colette is committed to serving as a judge for ALL, working with an unwavering commitment to treat every individual with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Jennifer Lynch brings a wealth of experience to the bench, having spent over 15 years practicing law in various capacities, including as a prosecutor and a private practice attorney. A compassionate community leader, Jennifer also represented the abused and neglected children of Will County as the pro bono attorney for CASA of River Valley for nearly 10 years.
She has also served as a faculty member of the Illinois Institute of Continuing Education to provide legal training to other attorneys and frequently a featured speaker for legal and community educational events. Jennifer is focused on streamlining case management to reduce delays and improve the overall efficiency of the court, so litigants aren’t unduly burdened taking time off work and time spent away from family and other responsibilities. To help reduce recidivism and assist offenders with re-entry, Jennifer plans to strengthen the court’s commitment to our problem solving courts and intends to help create a program for juvenile offenders. Additionally, Jennifer wants to develop better collaboration between the courts and community partners to provide needed support to children involved in the court system.
Serving as an Associate Judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge since 2018, Judge Victoria Breslan is seeking election to the 4th Subcircuit to continue serving the residents of Will County. Judge Breslan began her professional career as a card carrying member of Operators Local 150, working as a heavy equipment operator before going back to school to earn her Juris Doctorate degree.
Prior to opening her Joliet law firm, Breslan worked in the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office where she prosecuted cases in the Traffic, Criminal Misdemeanor, Juvenile and Domestic Violence divisions. As an Associatee Judge, Breslan spent two years in the family division and three years in the Criminal Misdemeanor division and is now addressing Traffic and Ordinance Violation matters in the outer courts of Will County. She currently sits on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Courts. Judge Breslan has the experience necessary to excel in both criminal and civil divisions as well as the administrative skills to help the 12th Circuit maintain the judicial excellence the people of Will County deserve.
