MEDIA ADVISORY

For more information contact:
Aeron Lancero at 312-543-3997 or email: jobrienforjudge@att.net

For Immediate Release – July 18, 2012

COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE NOMINEE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
JESSICA A. O’BRIEN (SIMMONS VACANCY) KICKS OFF HER VICTORY CELEBRATION WITH
THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF RECEPTIONS/DISCUSSIONS ENTITLED: “THE MELTING POT RISES:  WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP”

Jessica O’Brien – Winner of the Circuit Court Judge Henry Simmons Vacancy begins her victory celebration.  Her campaign has planned a series of receptions, which includes an open discussion with prominent speakers in their respective fields.  The first of six entitled: “The Melting Pot Rises:  Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship” is hosted by prominent and successful leaders: Lily Liu, president and founder of Lily's Talent Agency, Inc. (LTA -Chicago), a top notch, full service talent agency that has been serving Chicago for over three decades and have placed some of the city's finest in notable TV shows, Broadway musicals, commercial ads and full length Hollywood films.  Early this year, Liu also launched F.A.M.E. (Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment), a not-for-profit organization providing financial and educational resources necessary to help train and develop struggling artists; and Arabel Alva Rosales, J.D., president & CEO of AAR & Associates, a multi-million dollar, full breadth Information Technology firm that for the last 13 years has provided exceptional service locally and nationally to the public and private sectors.  Rosales is also the co-founder and principal of Latino Fashion Week. 

The event is held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Petterino’s Banquet Room located at 150 North Dearborn Street, Chicago from 5-8.  Regular Tickets are $75, VIP tickets are $250, Sponsor tickets are $500 and corporate sponsors are $1,000.  Other sponsorships opportunities are also available.  Interested supporters can visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.jessicaobrienforjudge.com" www.jessicaobrienforjudge.com.  Tickets can also be purchased on-line via this website or by calling 312-965-6737 or by e-mail at jobrienforjudge@att.net.

Co-chairs of the campaign receptions are Aeron Lancero, COO of Intrestco, LLC, AC Mangubat, talent agent, Lily’s Talent Agency, Inc. and Rachel Haley, director of Business Development for Paramount Chicago.  The purposes of the receptions are to provide networking opportunities, lively discussions on diverse issues encountered in the entertainment, fashion and hospitality industries, and labor organizations.  Other topics to be explored include “Running as an Underdog in Chicago,” the role of media in politics and more.  The discussions promise to be vibrant, informative and provoking, with prominent speakers entering the “No-Spin” Zone facilitating honest and open discussions.  Proceeds from the receptions will be used to retire campaign debts of the Jessica O’Brien for Judge Committee.

When Co-chairs were asked about their support of Jessica O’Brien’s campaign, they pointed out their confidence in O’Brien’s ability to serve the judiciary well and how proud they are to be a part of the historical election of the first Filipino-American judge in the State of Illinois.  Each of the co-chairs speaks of O’Brien’s well-balanced credentials, unique substantive legal knowledge in tax litigation and solid foundation on business and labor issues and her hard work. 

O’Brien was found unanimously qualified by all bar organizations.  She received three degrees from the John Marshall Law School.  In 1998, O’Brien was the first John Marshall student to earn a joint J.D./LL.M degrees in tax law, completing the program in just three years and also giving birth to her first daughter in the middle of law school and at the same time, she interned with the Office of the Public Defender and served in various leadership positions in student bar groups and her law school’s student newspaper.  In 2002, she received a second LL.M in Employee Benefits with honors. 

O’Brien was with Schuyler Roche & Zwirner, P.C. before joining the Illinois Department of Revenue, where she litigates cases involving corporate, partnership and individual income and sales taxation.  Prior to the primary election, O’Brien relinquished her second role as the acting chief counsel for the Illinois Lottery, where she provided oversight to lottery’s litigation docket and legal counsel to lottery’s senior management in operating its multi-billion dollar operation. 

O’Brien is an active member of the bar, serving as president of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, NFP; treasurer of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois; board of governor of the Illinois State Bar Association; board member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Chicago Bar Foundation and the Asian American Bar Foundation.  This past June, she was sworn-in as the newest Board of Trustee for the John Marshall Law School, along with Jorge Ramirez, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor. 

In 2006, O’Brien was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as a hearing officer for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, and in 2008 as a member of the court’s Character and Fitness Committee, First District. In 2009, O’Brien was appointed a member of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the Northern District Court of Illinois.

She has been recognized for her outstanding volunteer efforts.  Last year, President Barack Obama's Council on Service and Civic Participation presented O'Brien with the President's Volunteer Service Award.  She was twice named “Most Valuable Member” by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.  O’Brien has been honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Asian American Bar Association; the Asian Pacific American Community Service Award by the Cook County State's Attorney Office; the Outstanding Service Award for Judicial Evaluation by Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans; the Distinguished Service Award by the John Marshall Law School Alumni Association; and was inducted into the Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame twice under the categories of law and public service.

During the primary election, O’Brien was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Chicago and Cook County Building  & Construction Trades Council, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge # 7 and IL FOP (state counterpart), IVI-IPO and more.  Traditionally, these endorsements are captured by slated candidates. These along with other civic, community and mayoral endorsements allowed O’Brien to campaign throughout Cook County at a fluid pace and win the election by a huge margin. 

Tiasha Echols, O’Brien’s campaign executive director, talks about O’Brien’s ability to relate with diverse groups and cross-over racial boundaries.  “Everywhere we went in Cook County, whether the group we were speaking with was with African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Catholics, Baptist, Lutherans, Muslims, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, poor, rich, young or old, people wanted to hear more from Jessica and at the end of the conversations, they wanted to get copies of our literature, so they can tell their friends and their family members to vote for Jessica.   She is a breadth of fresh air to all of us because not only is she going to be a very intelligent, fair and impartial judge, she is also very hard-working, sincere and has a big heart.  Her old boss said it best--The Cook County judiciary is lucky to have the benefit of Jessica's judgment, integrity and compassion.” 

Although O’Brien was not slated by the Cook County Democratic party in the primary election, her candidacy has been embraced by its leadership after her decisive win.  Chairman Joseph Berrios now serves as O’Brien’s campaign honorary chairman and has offered to support O’Brien’s campaign after the primary election.  Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and Alderman Edward M. Burke also now serve as members of O’Brien’s judicial Committee.   Madigan, along with Committeemen Carrie Austin, Laura Murphy, Roderick Sawyer, Jon Allegretti and more, supported O’Brien during the primary election.

When asked about the unique fund-raising format, Co-chair Lancero explained by saying:  “When you examine Jessica’s life and record, she is all about unity, diversity, inclusion, education, true celebration, and innovative ideas.  My co-chairs, co-hosts and I are committed to delivering these ideals to our guests and at the same time, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for each reception/open discussion.  You cannot afford to miss any of our planned events because we have engaged the very best people in their fields.”