Carmen Quinones Discusses Her Candidacy as Cook County Judge With The Southland Journal

Carmen Quinones Discusses Her Candidacy as Cook County Judge With The Southland Journal
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Carmen Quinones Discusses Her Candidacy as Cook County Judge With The Southland Journal  (Cook County, IL) Carmen Quinones has served as a Family Law Attorney for over 30 years. She wants to use that experience to serve as Cook County Judge.

The youngest of a family of 10, Quinones graduated with honors from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. She continued her education in the psychology at the doctoral program at Maryland Sate University.

After working in Virginia’s Department of Corrections, she went on to receive a law degree from John Marshall Law School. Quinones’ early career work revolved around criminal cases including three murder cases.

As she describes, she eventually “graduated” to family law. One position includes a Child Representative and Guardian ad Litem, where she questioned forensic experts, presented evidence, and cross-examined witnesses.

Throughout her career, Quinones has worked with a diverse population. From juvenile delinquents to gifted student,

Family First

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Quinones’ passion for running for Cook County Judge comes from her background in representing families. In family law, she not only oversaw property division, but also domestic relations. She understood that by helping the families remain intact, even after divorce, you help the entire community.

“If all of us could do that, we would not have a criminal division because we would have families taking care of families,” said Quinones.

During her time at the Department of Corrections in Virginia, Quinones recalled receiving the first grant for the department. With the grant, she developed a rehabilitation treatment program for the prisoners that was compassionate, humane, and enjoyable.

“It helped them to grow and not stagnate,” said Quinones.

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Career Accomplishments

During her three decades of legal work, Quinones has given back to her community in multiple ways. She received an honor from the Chicago Bar Association for her widespread work on a pro-bono basis. Quinones has lectured at women’s shelters, helped legal assistance agencies and the courts in serving pro-se litigants, and mentored students. She has been a member of the Child Representative Steering Committee and helped develop the training program for Child Representatives.

Even with all of this, she has found time to work in her law practice.

“I have still been able to grow a business to the point where I am probably one of best known attorneys in domestic relations especially when it comes to family and children,” Quinones shared.

Honesty and Compassion

If elected, Quinones would like to make the legal system, smoother, faster, and fairer. She advocates for judges and courts to hear cases from the beginning. For Quinones, it is not about the individual’s background, but their needs.

“If I could accomplish that and have that effect on the other courts and on the other judges, that in itself would change the system,” stated Quinones.

A local issue that Quinones hopes to influence is diversity within courts. As an older woman of color, she recognizes she represents this diversity. She also wants good examples of law enforcement to be the model in their communities. Lastly, she wants a prison system that reflects its community.

“When you have a prison system that is not reflecting the community, there is something that is out of balance there,” Quinones said.

Quinones would like to leave a legacy of honesty and transparency. From a humble beginning to working as an attorney, Quinones believes anyone can be successful, while staying honest and compassionate.

“If I could leave the legacy of honesty and fairness, as a trait that anyone can have, no matter where they came from, that would make it for me,” said Quinones

Carmen Quinones Discusses Her Candidacy as Cook County Judge With The Southland Journal

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