Elect Judge Philip Fowler Cook County Circuit Court 4th Judicial Subcircuit
Vote March 19, 2024
Who is Judge Philip Fowler? Trusted. Experienced. Fair.
Phil’s Qualifications
A lifelong resident of the 4th Judicial Subcircuit, Phil currently sits as a full circuit judge in Cook County after appointment by the full Illinois Supreme Court. Phil was reviewed and found qualified by all fifteen bar associations.
Phil brings over 35 years of experience to the bench, having practiced in the area of civil litigation, including personal injury, civil rights, and commercial law. Phil also defended the legal rights of wards of the Department of Children and Family Services and is an expert in the area of legal ethics, having both taught and represented law firms on issues related to legal ethics and professional liability.
Phil’s Character
Phil and his two younger brothers, were raised by their mom, Donna, a homemaker, and father, Phil Sr., a truck driver, in Bridgeview, Illinois. Phil graduated from St. Laurence High School In Burbank, Illinois. In addition to being a serious student, Phil was also an athlete, playing the position of hockey goalie throughout his childhood.
Phil went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he also won the coveted John T. Frederick award in English. He received his Juris Doctor from the Loyola University School of Law.
For the past 30+ years, Phil and his wife, Michelle, have resided in LaGrange, where they raised their two children, Aidan and Genevieve. Phil has been an active member of local organizations, including La Grange Little League and the Citizens’ Council.
Additionally, Phil sat on the Foundation Board of Special Olympics Illinois, where, among other things, he participated in the Super Plunge, and sat on the boards of the International Organization for Adolescents (“IOFA”), which combats the human trafficking of teens worldwide, and the Catholic Lawyer’s Guild.
In his spare time, Phil is an avid reader, a lifelong learner at the University of Chicago Graham School, and can also be spotted walking his german shepherd dogs in the forest preserves, tending to his beehives, or fly-fishing for trout in Michigan.
Judge Philip Fowler Is Honored To Be Endorsed By
Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Senator Mike Porfirio
Illinois Senate, 11th District
Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Illinois House of Representatives, 8th District
Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar
Cook County Board of Commissioners,
16th District
Mayor Steven Landek
Lyons Township Committeeman and Mayor of Bridgeview
Mayor Barrett Pedersen
Leydon Township Committeeman and Mayor of Franklin Park
Mayor Chris Getty
Lyons Township Supervisor and Mayor of Lyons
Mayor Joseph Tamburino
Mayor of Hillside
Mayor Sean McDermott
Mayor of Countryside
President Sergio Rodriguez
President of Summit
President Mark Kuchler
President of La Grange
President Jim Discipio, DDS
President of La Grange Park
Mayor Katrina Thompson
Mayor of Broadview
Proviso Township Democratic Organization
Assessor Patrick Hynes
Lyons Township Assessor
Michael Zalewski
Riverside Township Committeeman
Personal PAC
Chicago Federation of Labor
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
International Union of Operating Engineers,
Local 150
International Association of Bridge, Structural,
Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
Every Bar Association Has Found Judge Fowler
Qualified or Recommended
The Advocate's Society
Recommended
The Arab American Bar Association
Recommended
The Asian American Bar Association
Recommended
The Black Men's Lawyer's Association
Recommended
The Black Women's Lawyer's
Association of Greater Chicago
Recommended
The Chicago Bar Association
Qualified
The Chicago Council of Lawyers
Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association
Recommended
The Cook County Bar Association
Recommended
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Recommended
The Hellenic Bar Association
Recommended
The Hispanic Lawyer's
Association of Illinois
Qualified
The Illinois State Bar Association
Qualified
The Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois
Recommended
The Women's Bar Association of Illinois
Recommended
Make a donation.
Help support Phil’s campaign with a financial contribution.
What Others Said About Phil at His Swearing In as a Circuit Court Judge
“Phil, you are a man of unquestionable integrity, honesty, morals and ethics.”
-The Honorable Jennie Giambastiani, United States Immigration Judge (Retired)
“He has substantial jury and bench litigation experience. He is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament.”
-Chicago Council of Lawyers
“I know you will judge with temperance, legal acumen, common sense, and empathy. The court is truly fortunate to have you come on board.”
-The Honorable Judge Jean M. Golden, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
“Phil was all about the fight, the fight for justice …looking out for the underdog, the underprivileged, the people who needed some assistance and Phil was in their corner.”
-The Honorable Judge Thomas V. Lyons, Circuit Court of Cook County
“I know that he’s ethical, I know that he’s smart, I know that he’s compassionate.”
-The Honorable Justice Freddrenna M. Lyle, First District Appellate Court
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my considered opinion that Mr. Fowler has been preparing for this judgeship for his entire life.”
-The Honorable Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., Supreme Court Justice, First District
“It’s been said a lot of times but Phil has always been a defender and a champion of the underdog.”
-Dave Breen, President and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois
“First there was Judge Carolyn Quinn, then came my law partner, Judge Myron Mackoff, then came myself, and now comes Philip Fowler. Good fruit from a Good Tree.”
-Mr. Travis Richardson, Esq., Former Judge and current Chief Legal Counsel, Office of the Cook County Clerk
“Because of Phil, a lot of people are living better lives than they would have otherwise.”
-The Honorable Judge Myron F. Mackoff, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Phil in His Own Words
”[T]he world is a big, beautiful and diverse place, and to fully experience that beauty, you have to embrace its diversity. If you don’t, you will miss out on all the world has to offer.”