Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vanessa A. Hopkins took over 200 sick days last year due to a shoulder injury and various undisclosed illnesses. Hopkins' tenure hasn't been without other controversy; she only had two years of professional experience when she became a judge in 1996, and every local bar group has deemed her unqualified for her position. Hopkins represents the first judicial subcircuit, which encompasses part of the South Side; she is up for re-election this fall.