CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois group is releasing its first ratings of judges seeking retention or running in contested races in November.

The Illinois Civil Justice League ratings out Thursday focus on southern Illinois. Ratings of judges elsewhere will be released later.

All nine of the judges assessed in the southern part of the state received ratings of “highly recommended” or “recommended.”

One of those assessed is Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier. He was “highly recommended” in his bid for retention. The other rated judges were circuit judges. The group didn’t assess two other circuit judges.

Illinois Civil Justice League is a coalition of citizen, business and professional associations.

The league is posting ratings and responses to questionnaires from candidates on its website, www.IllinoisJudges.net.

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