Why Tim?

Why should you or anybody else vote for Tim as a candidate for judge? Here, we're not going to run down a laundry list of degrees, fancy certificates and job titles. Instead, we'll let Tim explain it in his own words. After reading this plainspoken piece, we believe you'll find Tim to be an everyman with considerable talent and heart to match.

By: Tim Placher

December 1, 2007

You’d think a guy who wants to be a judge would’ve had an easier time making a decision.

I’m not talking about the decision to actually run for judge. That one wasn’t so difficult: In next February’s Democratic primary, I’ll be a candidate for Will County judge in the 2^nd Judicial Subcircuit comprising most of Joliet, Shorewood, Rockdale and part of Crest Hill.

No, the big issue wasn’t whether to run for office. It was “who” I should be on the ballot.

Going into this, I hadn’t given much thought to the name I’d use as a candidate. But in order to circulate electoral petitions, Illinois law required me to pick an official moniker.

Should I be “Timothy J. Placher,” or “Tim Placher?”

On the face of it, the question seems like a no-brainer. If you’re running for an office that entitles you to a robe, gavel and “Honorable” in front of your name, you go with the formality of the identity your parents bestowed on you at birth, right?

Yet in my whole life, no one—not even my mother during “occasional” moments she wanted to wring my neck—ever referred to me as “Timothy.” Truth be told, the most common thing I’ve been called is “Timmy,” but I don’t need the wisdom of Solomon to know “Judge Timmy” has a likelihood of success about equal to that of the Chicago Cubs.

In the end, “Timothy” simply didn’t feel right to me. And it was the process of deciding I’d rather be “Tim” that helped me gain a true appreciation for the qualities that make me the best candidate in my race.

The position of judge is unique in our society. Certainly, a judge should have fine legal skills. But the predictors of judicial success are far more varied.

Sitting on the bench is one of those few jobs that requires somebody who’s a generalist. An ideal judge is a well-rounded human being with exceptional skills, intellect and talents.  He has common sense and a broad base of knowledge and experience that helps him identify with the people who will come before him. In a land of laws, he should be a lover of words and adept at using them effectively. He should be community-minded with a background characterized by personal initiative, inquiry and growth.

Many who seek the bench fail to meet these lofty ideals. I do not.

At 46, I appreciate and acknowledge the common thread that runs through my pursuits in life. I have a deep, personal need to “matter” to myself, my family and my community. My background shows me to be a man who has used his talents in ways that do matter.

I have worked for more than 6 1/2 years as a teacher (both currently and prior to attending law school) in both Joliet and Shorewood. My skills and talents are respected by my administrators, peers and, above all, students. Every cliche you hear about teaching is true. Each day, you have a chance to make a difference in the life a kid. That's not just some slogan in a Hallmark card. It's very real. Teaching is among the most humbling and gratifying jobs you could ever hope to find.

I am a lifelong musician. For more than 25 years, I’ve worked both professionally and as a volunteer performing music and directing choirs of adults and students throughout the Joliet area. In that capacity, I've been fortunate to play a small part in helping hundreds of area families celebrate their weddings and anniversaries, as well as mourn the passing of their loved ones.

I also worked for a decade as a lawyer. And I'm extremely proud of the successes I've had in the field. I served first as a public defender, then for the bulk of my practice, as a city of Joliet corporation counsel. In those jobs, I experienced nearly the entire gamut of cases, courtrooms and clientele the practice of law has to offer.

At Joliet, I was often assigned--and trusted with--the highest profile cases. I successfully shut down a sex peep-show operation run by a lingerie shop. I won a rare injunction against the state of Illinois, temporarily halting construction of a sexually violent persons facility. I closed an unsanitary and dangerous trailer park that had gained community infamy. And I won a “not guilty” verdict on behalf of Joliet in a wrongful death case that resulted in the largest verdict in Will County history ($8.3 million) against the city’s co-defendant, a trucking company.

Yet during the course of my employment with the city, I began to feel the need to use my talents in a broader manner. When Joliet signed on with a local group of investors to bring minor league baseball to town, I immersed myself in helping the venture succeed.

Totally on my own, and without any background in marketing, I successfully came up with the name ultimately chosen for the team—the Joliet JackHammers. I drew pictures of potential logos whose elements were incorporated into the team’s official logo.  I conceived marketing and signage ideas that were put into practice at the ballpark. I also wrote and recorded a song, The JackHammer Jingle (listen), that was broadcast during games.

Around that same time, I answered an ad for community columnists in The Herald News, Joliet’s local newspaper. From among scores of applicants, my submission won me a spot in the publication’s inaugural group of writers. My initial columns garnered much attention and generated significant feedback and debate. Within two months, I was offered (and began writing) a weekly column at The Daily Southtown in addition to my continued appearances in The Herald News.

As a writer, I truly learned how my ideas and opinions could “matter” in my community. I wrote confidently and convincingly on a variety of local topics. I gained a reputation as a person who was unafraid to say what he thought, not merely what he thought people wanted to hear. I showed the backbone to face the heat when my columns struck a raw nerve.

I wrote pieces that helped mold public opinion on important local issues like Evergreen Terrace, Joliet’s public image and former Bishop Joseph Imesch’s failed leadership of the Joliet Catholic church.

My efforts have won me the respect and loyalty of a large number of local citizens. They have also been recognized by the Illinois Associated Press and the Chicago Headline Club, which awarded me the 2007 Peter Lisagor Award for column writing, calling my work “strong, honest and brave.”

Beyond my employment, I have also sought out volunteer opportunities in the community. I currently serve as vice president of Joliet Catholic Academy’s Alumni Board, where I work with a group of dedicated volunteers to raise money and public support for the school, one of the city’s oldest and most respected institutions. I also recently became the Director of Buildings and Grounds for St. Joe’s PONY Baseball Association, responsible for overseeing fields and facilities for one of the area’s largest youth baseball operations, serving more than 650 boys and girls.

And while all these pursuits have helped me feel like I “matter,” I have so much more to offer.

I am ready and able to assume a leadership position at the community-wide level. In the early days of my law practice, I thought I’d make a good judge. But today, I’ve reached a point in my life where I deeply believe I possess the broad base of talents, background and experience to be not just a good judge, but an outstanding one.

But how can I achieve such a position of leadership? There are two ways to gain the office of judge: through election or appointment. The appointment game is rife with politics. Often, lawyers win appointment by courting the right politicians. I'll tell you right now: That’s not me. I’ve never been particularly cozy with the local political crowd, nor have I cultivated friendships with high-ranking members of the Illinois judiciary. I simply will not attempt to gain the bench by ingratiating myself to connected people, by asking for favors, or risking owing them.

If I am to serve, I must remain true to myself in the process. My credentials for office easily stand toe to toe with anyone’s. And I will present them directly to you, the voters of my community, and ask you to make me a judge.

But unlike many judicial candidates, I won’t waste your time with phony sweet-talk about how I want to be “tough on crime.” I won’t ask you to trust me because I’m a “family man.”

When I talk about crime in our community, I’m speaking from the point of view of someone’s who’s had his house burglarized—twice. Who’s had his car stolen out of his driveway—twice. Who fears the crime that has crept into his city and his neighborhood. When I tell you about my family, it’s coming from the mouth of someone whose family relationships have seen their share of rough spots, just like most of yours.

If I can only gain a judgeship by being an insider in the political game, I’d rather take a pass. If I can only get elected by playing the same campaign tricks others do, go ahead and pick somebody else.

I know who I am. I’m “Tim,” a guy who’s spent my entire life living—and the bulk of my career working—in the district I want to represent, trying to make myself the smartest, most well-rounded human I can be. And I’m not just talking about my midsection.

I may not be your typical candidate for judge. But that’s what sets me apart. I’m not a career lawyer. I am a career learner. I want to be a judge because, if I had trouble in my life that led to a courtroom, I’d want the person on the bench to be someone who had smarts, broad life experience and knew what it was like to be a regular Joe.

Ask anyone who knows me: I fit the bill. I am just like you. I’m a product of this town. Your town. Our town. And I’m ready to do my part for its future if you’ll give me the chance.

When deciding what name I’d use for the ballot, I ultimately realized why “Timothy” didn’t feel right. To choose the name would have smacked of me trying to be someone I am not. Instead, I decided I’d rather be who I am.

I decided I’d rather be Tim.

My name is Tim Placher, and I respectfully ask for your vote on February 5.

Tim Placher can be reached at timplacher@yahoo.com

Copyright 2007 Tim Placher

First things first. Before he could circulate petitions to run for office, Tim had to decide what name he would use on the ballot.

Judge Timmy? Probably not the strongest name for the ballot.

The Will County Courthouse. What are the attributes of a good judge?  

Tim is an Illinois certified teacher with 6 1/2 years experience. He is currently a music teacher at Drauden Point Middle School in Joliet.

Tim was organist at St. Ray's for 4 years and at St. Jude's in New Lenox for 14.                           

He has been an attorney since 1993. He was a Joliet city attorney for 6 years, where he won several high-profile cases.                         

Tim won a "not guilty" verdict on behalf of Joliet in a case that resulted in an $8.3 million award--the largest in Will County history--against the city's co-defendant, Schneider Trucking.

The official JackHammers logo uses elements originally drawn by Tim. His original picture appears on the right.

Tim was named one of the original Herald News Common Sense writers in 2002 and subsequently became a frequent contributor.                                                                           

Tim's column appeared regularly in the Daily Southtown for 5 years beginning in 2002.

The Chicago Headline Club awarded Tim the 2007 Peter Lisagor Award for column writing. The award honors the late Chicago Daily News Washington Bureau Chief.

              Tim is Vice President of the JCA Alumni Board 

  Son, Cal, fires some heat at St. Joe's PONY Baseball League,  where Tim is Director of Buildings and Grounds.