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Illinois Supreme Court candidate Judge Judy Cates visits Saline County

HARRISBURG - Illinois Supreme Court candidate Judge Judy Cates visited Saline County Monday evening to continue to get her message out to voters.

Cates currently is a judge for the Fifth District Appellate Court in Mount Vernon, a position to which she was elected in 2012. She graduated from Cornell University in 1973 and received her juris doctorate from Washington University School of Law - St. Louis in 1977. She served as an assistant state's attorney for St. Clair County before going into private practice, where she served for 30 years.

On Monday, Cates was the guest of the Saline County Democratic Party, which held a cookout at Harrisburg Township Park complete with social distancing measures and those in attendance wearing masks.

Cates said campaigning during a pandemic has been challenging.

"These are all the counties in our district. It's a large area," Cates said, showing a map of the Fifth District.

Cates' message is one of equal standing for all citizens before the law.

"I want to continue to get it right for all the people I represent, not just the few," Cates said. "Politics and privilege have no place in the courtroom. Let the light shine bright on the judiciary once again so that we can earn the trust of the people."

Cates said she frequently has been joined at campaign stops by Vivian Robinson of Harrisburg. Robinson also serves as the 15th District Democratic State Central Committeewoman and the vice chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.

"I go where Vivian tells me to go," Cates joked.

Robinson agreed with Cates on the challenges candidates face reaching voters during a major disease outbreak.

"Under normal circumstances, there would be a lot of opportunities to talk to voters, like at county fairs. Most of those events have been canceled this year, though, so it makes things a little tougher," Robinson said.

However, Robinson and Cates said they'll continue to get the message to voters.

"She's a great judge and a great candidate," Robinson said.