Judge Jones Blog

November 2, 2008

It's almost here - Election Day, November 4, 2008. My efforts to become the first Democrat elected to the bench since 1974 started almost two years ago right after my appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court. I have knocked on hundreds of doors, gone to countless community events and marched in numerous parades. And all those efforts will pay off with my victory on Tuesday.

That victory can only come with your vote. I fought for the victims of crime for almost fourteen years as a prosecutor, winning high profile cases like the reckless homicide case of Thomas Pomykala, a case I spent six years of my life to ensure justice for the family of a two year old girl killed at the intersection of Jefferson and Larkin Avenues in 1999. He was sentenced to the maximum 14 years in prison. I brought justice to the family of a four month old infant, shaken to death by her babysitter. That babysitter sits in prison for the next 20 years. I successfully prosecuted literally thousands of cases on behalf of Will County.

Now I ask you to stand up for me and vote to keep a dedicated public servant on the bench. I never made big bucks in private practice, instead I chose to serve my community for my entire professional career.

Campaigning has been time consuming, rewarding and a tremendous experience overall. I ask for your vote. Thanks to everyone who has gone to my website. Keep me on the bench.

VOTE NOVEMBER 4.

Circuit Judge Sarah Jones

October 27, 2008

We are eight days away from Election Day! I have been working on this campaign since I was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in January 2007 and victory is in sight. I continue to knock on hundreds of doors a week and have remade contact with people that I met previously at community events and from our many parades. I had the pleasure to read a Halloween book to second graders at Peotone Grade School which was fun. I gave them an order to read a book over the weekend and I got to hear all about their Halloween costumes. I may have to find the time to see if they were able to follow through on their assignment!

On Saturday, I attended for the second year in a row the Washington Township Senior breakfast at Cardinal Creek Country Club, thanks to District One Will County Board candidate and Washington Township Supervisor Robert Howard. Then off to the Crete Park District Trick or Treat event with aobut 800 kids and parents. It was chilly needless to say standing outside for three hours, but a lot of fun. On Monday I am one of the sponsors of the Exchange Club of Joliet spaghetti dinner. The Exchange Club is a great organization dedicated to the eradication of child and domestic abuse.

I am so grateful to the dozens and dozens of people that have helped me throughout the course of the last two years, most especially my parents, Bud and Nancy Jones. My mother was the first woman elected to the Laraway School Board in the mid 1970's, which includes a portion of subcircuit three. On November 4, I am confident that I will be the second Jones elected and the first woman elected as a circuit judge from subcircuit three.

Remember, you can still early vote until October 30.

Thanks and have a safe and happy week

Judge Sarah Jones

October 6, 2008

We are less than 30 days away from Election Day, and I am busier than ever. This week my supporters and I knocked on doors all over subcircuit three. Our mailer went out and I am getting overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback. Mom and Dad continue to get yard signs up and our precinct committeemen are campaigning hard on my behalf. I also have a fantastic 4x8 team.

Saturday was spent in Beecher knocking on doors, which has been a very positive experience overall. On Sunday, Pam McGuire, our Will County Circuit Clerk running for her fourth term, campaigned together at the pancake breakfast at St. Bernard's. I introduced myself to a woman who told me that she had taught school with my mother at Ludwig School in Lockport when Mom was pregnant with me in 1966. Talk about a small world. We then went back to my hometown of Elwood for the fire department's open house. It was a great community event, with all the kids getting a ride in the ladder truck's bucket and learning about fire safety. I walked precincts each night this week and it has been great to meet voters, many of whom remember seeing me at various community events and from parades this summer.

Remember early voting begins October 14 through the 30th. If you need to know where to early vote in your township, click on the link on the website.

Victory is in sight!

Have a safe week.

Judge Sarah Jones

September 29, 2008

Another busy week in my campaign life! Monday I attended a fundraiser for William Welch, candidate for Will County Board, District One. I met Mr and Mrs. Francis Cavanaugh, who live in Braidwood. They remembered seeing me in the Braidwood parade in July, which made me very happy. At all of our parades, I would shake hands with everyone I could and apparently it paid off. I saw him with his daughter on Sunday at Will County Executive Larry Walsh's fundraiser at the Empress Casino and they were kind enough to take five yard signs.

Wednesday I attended a meeting of Democratic precinct committeemen from Reed and Wesley Townships, who are all enthusiastic about my campaign. More yard signs flew out of the back of my car. I am so grateful for their help.

Wilmington High School's Homecoming game was on Friday night -- after being in the homecoming parade, I had to go to the game! Wildcat fans are certainly dedicated to their team, looking at the huge turnout. I was able to connect with some really nice people which is a pleasure.

Saturday I spent walking precincts with Pam McGuire, Will County Circuit Clerk and Bob Howard, Will County Board candidate. It is great to campaign with friends. Pam and Bob are truly dedicated public servants. The weather certainly cooperated. Pam and I walked around St. Paul's United Church of Christ Oktoberfest in Monee. I saw some nice folks who met me at Fall Faire, and bought a homemade lemon and poppyseed cake for Mom and Dad.

Remember, early voting starts on October 14 through October 30. Keep an eye on your mailbox for our mailers and ads which will be running very soon.

As I write this, Election Day is 35 days away. The hardest work of all lies ahead. Thanks to all who put their shoulders to the wheel with me to roll into victory on November 4.

Have a safe and happy week.

Thanks

Judge Sarah Jones

September 23, 2008-
Labor continues their enthusiastic support of my campaign. This week I was proud to received the endorsement of IBEW Local 176. Thanks to David Udstuen and the entire membership for recognizing me as a public servant worthy of their backing.

Friday night I was at the Peotone football game. Meeting voters prevented me from watching most of the game! It was a beautiful night. Autumn is definitely in the air.

Had a great time in Manhattan on Saturday at the first annual Round Barn Wine Festival benefitting the Manhattan Park District. Having grown up in Elwood, we have many family friends from Manhattan. I had the pleasure of talking to a Frankfort resident who served on a jury trial in my courtroom last year. She remembered me, praising my professional and friendly conduct in the courtroom and that I made jury service a pleasant one. I appreciated her kind words and positive feedback. I also got some great new sign locations.

Sunday we did TWO parades. The Wilmington High School Homecoming parade was at 1 p.m. which was fun and well attended by Wildcat fans. Joliet's Black Pride Parade was at 3 and I barely got my car into our position in time. There was a huge turnout and I was met with a lot of enthusiasm. Pizza was on me afterward to thank my loyal parade friends and of course, Mom and Dad.

Remember, early voting starts on October 14 through the 30th. There is information on the site for your particular township if you would like to vote early.

Election Day, once a day that seemed so far away, is almost here. This campaign has been exhausting and exhilarating. I will continue to work very hard each and every day toward victory.

We're getting down to the wire! Have a safe and happy week.

September 13, 2008-
This week, I received the endorsement of the Will County Sheriff's Deputies
Union. As a former prosecutor, I worked closely with many of the deputies
and deeply appreciate their recognition of my candidacy for circuit judge
with their endorsement.

I spent another busy weekend meeting the great citizens of Subcircuit three.
On Saturday, September 6, we were in my hometown's parade in Elwood. We had
a great turnout from the community. County Executive Larry Walsh, who is one
of the honorary chairmen of my committee, did the announcing at the
reviewing stand. You can watch the whole parade on Krause Cable. After that,
I attended the AFSCME Local 1028 picnic at the Ingalls Park AC. I am a
former member of the local and am proud to have their endorsement. Then I
was off to Fall Faire in Monee to meet even more voters. I went back to
Monee all afternoon on Sunday and got more signs up here at home in Jackson
Township.

As even I cannot be in two places at once, Katrina Deutsche, one of our
great candidates for Will County Board, District One, was kind enough to put
my signs on her cattle trailer for the Monee parade, which was the same time
as Elwood's. Thanks Katrina! Working closely with our other candidates as
been a real benefit to me both personally and politically.

I am so grateful for the help from my committee, organized labor, family and
precinct committeemen as we get closer to victory on November 4. My
committee is hosting our fall fundraiser on September 11, 2008 at McBrody's,
73 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet Il from 5-8 p.m. Suggested donation is $40.00
per person, which includes food and drink. I would love to see as many of my
supporters as possible, so I hope that you can stop by.

Look for us at the Mexican Independence Day parade in downtown Joliet on the
13th of September!

All the best,
Circuit Judge Sarah Jones

Want to vote early for Judge Jones? Early voting starts October 14, 2008 and ends October 30, 2008. The lines at the polling places on November 4th could be long, save yourself the wait and vote early! Check out the Voter Information page for details on polling locations offering early voting.

As we prepare to celebrate Labor Day, I am pleased to announce that I received the endorsement of the Will County Sheriff's Deputies Union. This recognition of my candidacy by law enforcement means a great deal to me personally and professionally. In my 13 years as an assistant state's attorney, I worked hand in hand with many of the union's members. These hard working men and women serve the people of Will County tirelessly, and I am proud that they recognize my qualifications and capabilities as a circuit judge.

The Chicago Sun Times Wednesday recognized me as a notable alumna of Providence Catholic High School. The values I learned there remain a part of my decision making every day.

I will be in the parade in University Park on Saturday. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Hickok and Burnham. On Labor Day, we will march in the Manhattan Fun Days parade. I plan to meet voters before, during and after the parades and at the various community events I will be attending during the weekend.