Finally, a Judicial Candidate From the Neighborhood, For the Neighborhood

Lauren Brougham Glennon

Lauren Brougham Glennon waging a grassroots campaign

Opinion By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

With so many judges soft on crime and seemingly lacking in common sense, many Southwest Side voters will ask in frustration, “Why can’t we have judges who reflect our values?”

Looks like we may have exactly that, if we elect Lauren Brougham Glennon judge in Cook County’s 3rd Judicial Subcircuit (Flynn vacancy).

“Running for judge has really been an exhilarating and

energizing experience,” Glennon said. “We’ve really organized a grassroots efforts that house by house, block by block, community by community. I’ve been meeting people everywhere—civic group meetings, neighborhood watch meetings, everything. And if there’s one common thread that runs through it all, it’s that people want judges who are capable, fair and who reflect our common values.”

She added that she’s finding that the more she meets folks face to face, the better they respond.

“People see you making an honest effort to connect with them, and they appreciate that,” Glennon said. “They see that I’m not a name on a precinct captain’s palm card—that I’m a just a regular, everyday person—someone from the neighborhood, for the neighborhood, involved in the community.”

A Chicago upbringing

A lifelong Southwest Sider, Lauren Brougham Glennon grew up in the Beverly community. Her father, Charlie Brougham, was a distinguished Chicago Police officer. Her mother was an executive with Walgreens.

Lauren attended Christ the King School and then went on to St. Ignatius College Prep, where she was captain of the girls basketball team and graduated in 1995.

After high school, she earned an academic scholarship to

Winona State University in Minnesota. She studied hard and graduated cum laude with a degree in political science.

From there, she came back to Chicago and attended the DePaul University College of Law.

After earning her law degree and passing the bar exam, Lauren began her legal career as a prosecuting attorney for the City of Chicago's Law Department. As an Assistant Corporation Counsel, Lauren handled between 30-50 cases on a daily basis, participated in numerous bench trials, and juggled a large motion practice.

After practicing law for five years with the City, Lauren transitioned into private practice. Throughout her time in private practice Lauren has enjoyed the opportunity to expand her legal acumen; including but not limited to becoming a well respected hearing officer and sharp prosecutor for multiple municipalities, as well as taking depositions, honing her skills in civil litigation, and completing complex real estate transactions.

In all, Lauren has been practicing law for more than 15 years

and is today an active member of the Beverly community, where she lives with her husband Johnny (a Chicago firefighter and Navy veteran), son Tighe, and dog Buck.

Lauren currently coaches youth basketball and volunteers on a regular basis in the neighborhood and with the Police Memorial Foundation, as well as with the Chicago Fire Department's Ignite the Spirit Charity Foundation.

She has developed a cellphone app that instantly links people with attorneys who match their need.

“It helps people and it makes the law more accessible for everyone,” she said. “It reflects my values.” 

Today’s campaign for judge

In her campaign for judge, Lauren Glennon has been found

“RECOMMENDED” by a number of Bar Associations (in no specific order):

• The Cook County Bar Association
• The Chicago Council of Lawyers
• The Lesbian and Gay Bar Association
• The Hellenic Bar Association
• The Puerto Rican Bar Association
• The Arab American Bar Association

She is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7, IAF Local 2, Polish American Police Association (PAPA), Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11, and Cook County Sheriff’s Police Lodge 4

Lauren Brougham Glennon’s ballot “Punch” number is 232.

Election Day is Tuesday, March 17; but early-voting sites are open at a number of convenient locations in the city and suburbs.

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