Vote to Retain Judge Daniel Shanes
Proven Experience, Committed to Judicial Independence.
Why is
Judicial Independence so important?
The Judicial System is the last line of defense for our Constitutional rights in Illinois. It is paramount that judges are independent of politics. As both a prosecutor and judge, Judge Shanes has spent his entire professional career upholding the Constitution and providing equal justice under the law, without regard for politics.
“In the end, it is the courts that give voice to the Constitution. When that voice is silenced, we cease to be a free society.
The most important job of a judge is to uphold the Constitution with fierce independence and commitment to equal justice under the law.”
– Judge Daniel Shanes
Proven Experience
Judge Daniel Shanes is a respected leader recognized by his peers and the Illinois Supreme Court for his ability to display independence, impartiality, and commitment to the rule of law. As a former prosecutor & veteran circuit judge, Shanes has been called a "Judge's Judge" who is sought after as a trainer, mentor, and counselor by other judges across the state and nationally... (Read More)
Committed to Judicial Independence
Vital to judicial independence is that judges be self-disciplined and show restraint. Judge Shanes is respected by judges elected as both Democrats & Republicans because of his ability to follow the law with absolute impartiality, independence, and without bias... (Read More)
Democracy Requires Equal Justice Under Law
Equal justice under law must be the basis for every judicial ruling, but for there to be justice, we must have the Rule of Law... (Read More)
Judge Shanes:
Proven Experience, Committed to Judicial Independence.
Judge Shanes is devoted to the highest standards in our justice system both in and out of the courtroom. He currently is a Circuit Judge and serves as the Chief Judge of the Lake County Circuit Court, directing the administration of the entire Circuit Court of 41 judges across all its divisions (including criminal, felony, misdemeanor/traffic, civil, family, and juvenile/restorative justice), as well as staff of approximately 270 court professionals. In this role, Judge Shanes was elected unanimously by his peers on a bipartisan basis, including judges initially elected as both Democrats and Republicans. As Chief Judge, Judge Shanes presides over some of the most serious criminal and civil cases in the courthouse. His rulings over 17 years on the bench reflect his commitment to independence, impartiality, the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
In 2007, Judge Shanes was first selected to serve as an Associate Judge. In 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously appointed Judge Shanes to serve as a Circuit Judge; in 2012 and again in 2018 the voters elected him to serve additional terms. Since first serving as a judge in 2007, Judge Shanes has consistently received the highest ratings from both the Lake County and Illinois State Bar Associations.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Shanes served as an assistant State’s Attorney and division chief for nearly 12 years, becoming one of the lead prosecutors in child-sexual-predator and first-degree-murder cases. During that time, he also was a founding team member that created Lake County’s successful Drug Court, developing a program providing comprehensive treatment and supervision for repeat, non-violent felony offenders whose criminality is driven by significant substance abuse. Previously he served as a judicial law clerk to Justice Robert J. Steigmann of the Illinois Appellate Court.
By appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court, Judge Shanes served as Chair of the Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees from 2020-2022, and still regularly serves as faculty for judicial education for judges and lawyers in Illinois. He is also a member of the faculty of the National Judicial College and National Center for State Courts, providing judicial education to judges and court administrators across the United States. In addition, he serves by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court as Chair of its Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions for Criminal Cases, a long-time member of the Illinois Judicial Conference, as well as a certified new judge mentor. Judge Shanes has published dozens of legal articles, several of which have been cited by the Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court, and legal treatises.
Judge Shanes has been active in the Lake County community for more than 25 years in many ways, from coaching youth sports, to engaging parents and students regarding youth substance abuse and decision-making issues, to serving on the Board of Directors of a local homeless shelter and transitional living facility for women and children. Judge Shanes has also been privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of both the Illinois Judges Association and the Lake County Bar Association. He has received numerous awards and recognitions in our community for his work on behalf of the justice system, victims of crime, and judicial education.
After completing his undergraduate education at the University of Iowa, he received his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where he served on the DePaul Law Review.
He and Diane, his wife of 32 years, have together raised four wonderful children, and recently, they became grandparents. Judge Shanes loves that role and title more than any other!
Meet Judge Shanes
