Tchaikovsky and more: CBA Orchestra & Chorus in concert on February 28

Members of the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra and CBA Chorus will be in concert Saturday, February 28, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St. The program will feature Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony and selections from works by Mozart, Schubert, Nicolai, and more. Details are in the flyer above.

Advance tickets for the concert are $20 per person ($15 for students) and are available at this Eventbrite link. Tickets will also be available at the door, starting about 30 minutes before curtain, for $25 each ($20 for students).

Ah, Tchaikovsky. Somewhere the shades of my junior high teachers are looking down in wonder that I -- a notoriously poor speller -- could correctly type 'Tchaikovsky', even with the word on the poster in front of me. Of course, when I was in junior high, there was no such thing as copy and paste. You'll just have to take my word for it that, on this occasion, at least, I did not use copy and paste in typing out Tchaikovsky.

Updated grids for subcircuit candidates issued by the Alliance

The 13-member Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening has released updated candidate ratings for the forthcoming primary. This post will cover Alliance ratings of subcircuit judicial candidates; updated Alliance ratings of countywide judicial candidates are covered in this post. The ratings are now essentially complete; the "blanks" that remain in the grids exist because a few candidates are pursuing appeals of their ratings with the issuing bar group. (While the Alliance conducts joint investigations and interviews of Cook County judicial candidates, each bar group issues its own ratings and has its own process for addressing appeals from those ratings.)

The grids reproduced below and in the countywide ratings post show ratings for every candidate in the Democratic Primary. There are no ratings of Republican candidates because no one filed to run for any judicial vacancy in the 2026 Cook County Republican primary. At least when it comes to judicial elections, there is no two-party system in our fair county.

The list of subcircuit candidates that follows here is deceptively long. Every person living in Cook County lives in one of 20 Subcircuits. A voter can only vote for subcircuit candidates in his or her home subcircuit. Depending on your subcircuit, you may have one vacancy to fill; you may have none. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. Many other subcircuit vacancies are uncontested as well.

The ratings issued by each of the bar associations that together comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

With all these explanations in mind, herewith the Alliance grids for 2026 subcircuit candidates (click to enlarge or clarify any image):

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

Updated grids for countywide judicial candidates issued by the Alliance

The 13-member Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening has released updated candidate ratings for the forthcoming primary. This post will cover Alliance ratings of countywide judicial candidates; in the next post, we'll look at the Alliance ratings of subcircuit candidates. The ratings are now essentially complete; the "blanks" that remain in the grids exist because a few candidates are pursuing appeals of their ratings with the issuing bar group. (While the Alliance conducts joint investigations and interviews of Cook County judicial candidates, each bar group issues its own ratings and has its own process for addressing appeals from those ratings.)

The grids reproduced below and in the next post show ratings for every candidate in the Democratic Primary. There are no ratings of Republican candidates because no one filed to run for any judicial vacancy in the 2026 Cook County Republican primary. At least when it comes to judicial elections, there is no two-party system in our fair county. Four of the six countywide judicial vacancies (one Appellate Court vacancy, five countywide Circuit Court vacancies) have only one candidate. There are only two actual contests.

One other note: Every person living in Cook County lives in one of 20 Subcircuits. Depending on your subcircuit, you may have one vacancy to fill; you may have none. There are several uncontested subcircuit races as well. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates.

We begin with the one and only candidate for the Hoffman vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court, namely, Judge Judith C. Rice. Here are her Alliance ratings:

The ratings issued by each of the bar associations that together comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

We move next to the Alliance ratings for countywide candidates for vacancies on the Circuit Court of Cook County and their Alliance ratings (click to enlarge or clarify any image in this post):

For the record, my complaints about the minuscule number of candidates is not meant to infer or suggest anything negative about any of these persons individually. It strikes me, however, that the failure of more candidates to step forward and seek these vacancies may indicate that something is terribly wrong with our political process generally and, quite possibly, with our judicial system in particular. I am not the only person asking why this may be so (see this post for example).

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide offers guidance on contested Cook County Judicial races

The Girl, I Guess Progessive Voter Guide has returned in time for the March 2026 primary. That is a link to the entire guide in the preceding sentence. We're only going to look at the guide's endorsements in judicial races. There aren't that many of them. Of course, there aren't that many judicial races either.

First, a little about the Girl, I Guess guide (and this is quoting, now, from the guide itself, emphasis in original):

Girl, I Guess is Jewish, Black, queer, trans, nerdy and dedicated to helping members of our community navigate a confusing ballot and identify the most progressive candidates. We also recommend you consult with progressive / radical organizers in your community, especially queer, trans, Black, and Brown folks!

"Progressive," in this usage, means, among other things, pro-Palestinian and anti-police. The authors of the guide, Stephanie Skora and Raeghn Draper, note that they "may be 80% of the way to full-blown secessionists at this point," but they encourage readers to vote in the primary. They explain:

There may be fewer judicial candidates on the ballot than usual, but every single one of those votes counts. We are right at the beginning of a four-election period that will determine what kind of representation Chicago and Cook County has at what may very well be the end of this nation. Kicking out shitty incumbents in the Primary, disposing of a couple of the County’s remaining Republicans and electing a full, progressive School Board in November, and then achieving a progressive majority on City Council next February are all within reach.

Now that you know a little about the guide's point of view (and, again, I encourage you to peruse the entire document, first, because it is lively, pungent, and entertaining -- no matter what you may think of the authors' views -- and also to see whether I've stated their positions fairly) let's move on to the guide's judicial endorsements.

You'll have to scroll some to get there (starting at roughly p. 85 of 97 total as this post is written, but the guide is a Google doc and things can be added and taken away, including endorsements, at any time).

Countywide Vacancies

Cobbs Vacancy - Linda Sackey
Coughlin Vacancy - No Endorsement

Subcircuit Vacancies

1st Subcircuit (Balanoff) - Radiance Ward
1st Subcircuit (Walker) - Ginger Odom

3rd Subcircuit (Sherlock) - Rachel Marrello (But the endorsement is apparently provisional: the guide promises to pull the endorsement if the candidate accepts an endorsement from the FOP. This drives me crazy, but I'll talk about it elsewhere. End of digression.)

8th Subcircuit (Gamrath) - Elizabeth Cristina Dibler
8th Subcircuit (Mikva) - Lester Finkle (The guide has several objections to the candidacy of Katherine Morrison, one of the other two candidates in this race, including that she "defended the City in civil rights lawsuits stemming from police homicides, which is gross and disqualifying in and of itself." This is another pet peeve of mine: Lawyers represent clients; by undertaking a representation, a lawyer does not thereby necessarily adopt the client's beliefs or attitudes. Public defenders do not become criminals simply because they provide a vigorous defense, as the law demands, even for persons who are, to borrow a line from Mel Brooks' The Producers, "incredibly guilty." End of digression.)

11th Subcircuit (Meyerson) - Jarret Knox

17th Subcircuit (Brooks) - Natalia Moore
17th Subcircuit (Carroll) - Bianca B. Brown

19th Subcircuit (Kane) - No Endorsement (The guide refers to the "cop-infested 19th Subcircuit")

20th Subcircuit (Miller) - Jon Stromstra (The guide says this endorsement would "have been much more complicated had I not gotten tipped off by a concerned citizen that Belle Katubig voted Republican in the 2016 Primary. * * * I, notably, do not like Republicans, current or former. If there’s even a tiny chance that you voted Trump, I don’t want you on the bench in Illinois.")

Tickets still available for Friday's Dikerson Awards Luncheon

The Chicago Bar Association will host the Earl B. Dickerson Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 20, at the Union League Club, starting with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and following with the luncheon at noon.

The Earl B. Dickerson Awards were established in 1990 to honor Dickerson’s devoted service and extraordinary contributions to the legal community. He was an outstanding lawyer and among the first African American members of The Chicago Bar Association. Dickerson’s life and professional career were devoted to the law and helping others gain equality and justice. The Chicago Bar Association created this special award to recognize and honor minority lawyers and judges whose careers emulate the courage and dedication of Dickerson in making the law the key to justice for all in our society. This year’s honorees are Andrea Bonds, Bronzeville Law Group, LLC, Judge Arnette R. Hubbard (Ret.), Cannon Lambert, Sr., Karchmar & Lambert, P.C., and Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Illinois Supreme Court. A complete list of prior Dickerson Award winners can be found at this link.

“Throughout his career, Earl B. Dickerson challenged systemic inequities and helped to expand access to justice while demonstrating how the law could be used as a powerful instrument for social change. Our distinguished honorees exemplify the character and dedication of Dickerson by helping to ensure that all in our community receive fair and equitable treatment,” said CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton.

Individual tickets, priced at $75 each, remain available. Some tables of 10 may also still be available; the price is $750 for a table of ten. To purchase tickets, click on this page of the CBA website. Questions about the event should be directed to Michele Spodarek at mspodarek@chicagobar.org.

"Spend a few hours as a Supreme Court justice without the confirmation hearings"

That's the pitch the American Bar Association is making as it tries to recruit volunteer judges for the National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC), to be held in Chicago from February 26 to 28, at the ABA Headquarters. NB: The use of the word "volunteer" in the preceding sentence means that judges in this competition will not have to worry about Supreme Court confirmation hearings... but they will likewise not have to worry about getting paid.

Competition rounds are scheduled as follows:

• Round 1: Thursday, February 26th (3:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.)
• Round 2: Friday, February 27th (3:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.)
• Round 3: Saturday, February 28th (8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.)
• Round 4: Saturday, February 28th (1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
• Round 5: Saturday, February 28th (3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for one round or several, individually or with groups. Clicking on this link should get you to the volunteer signup form. Questions or comments should be directed to erica.zepeda@americanbar.org.

Meridth Hammer: In her own words

Meridth Hammer is a candidate for the Brooks vacancy in the 17th Subcircuit. Her punch number is 142.

My name is Meridth Hammer, and I'm running for Judge in Cook County's 17th Subcircuit for the Honorable Lloyd J. Brooks vacancy.

For nearly 25 years, I've stood beside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives—when a loved one passes and the family is overwhelmed, when a parent is declining and difficult decisions must be made, when a job is lost and foreclosure threatens the roof over a family's head. I know what's at stake when people walk into a courtroom: their safety, their stability, their dignity, and sometimes their future. That's why I'm running—to bring experience, compassion, and steady, independent judgment to the bench.

I'm licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and the District of Columbia. I'm the CEO of The Hammer Legal Group, and my practice includes probate, trust and estate planning, foreclosure defense, commercial litigation, and labor and employment law. I've helped individuals and small business owners resolve disputes—not just through litigation, but more often by finding common ground through negotiation, mediation, and settlement. Because the best outcome isn't always a "win"—it's a fair resolution that lets people move forward.

Public service has been at the heart of my career. I've served as legal counsel to the last three Clerks of the Circuit Court, working to expand access to Cook County's courts and to make our courts easier for everyday people to navigate. I also served as Supervising Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, managing 12 Administrative Law Judges and ensuring cases were handled with consistency, fairness, and respect.

In 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the ARDC Hearing Board, and I've been reappointed each year since. In that volunteer role, we hold attorneys accountable to the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct—because integrity isn't just a value I talk about; it's a standard I must live by, especially in the justice system.

My perspective is also shaped by my education and professional range. I earned my undergraduate degree from Purdue University in Computer Science and Software Development, which helped prepare me to serve as a lead negotiator for Computer Associates, a $4 billion software company. I understand how systems work—and how to improve them—so they serve people better.

I currently serve as legal counsel to the Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL). I'm a past board member of IMANI Community Development Corporation and former State Chair of Independent Voters of Illinois–Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO). I've led estate-planning workshops across Cook County, served as a panelist on former County Clerk Karen Yarbrough's Property After Death seminars, and volunteered with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services through the Probate Court Assistance Program—because people shouldn't need wealth or connections to get help and be heard.

I believe our courts have a duty to meet the needs of the community. Now more than ever, we need judges who are qualified and experienced, but also compassionate - judges with integrity who will make decisions based on the law and the facts, not outside pressure. Our courts serve the most vulnerable among us: abused children, survivors of domestic violence, people living with mental illness, families facing addiction, seniors with dementia who can no longer care for themselves, and young people caught up in the system. These aren't case numbers. These are human beings—and they deserve a court that treats them that way.

My platform is Access to Justice Reform. The COVID-19 pandemic forced our courts to adapt, and it proved something important: we can do better. We can use technology to make justice more accessible—through expanded remote proceedings when appropriate (especially in probate), and by fully leveraging the Odyssey case management system to help judges and staff manage thousands of cases more efficiently in the nation's second-largest court system. That means less waiting, less confusion, and less cost for families and taxpayers.

I've also worked toward criminal justice reform. As counsel to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, I worked with court partners to help hundreds of people expunge eligible records so they could get a real second chance—access to good jobs, better housing, and services that can change lives. I've participated in Restorative Justice Courts and Peace Circles, which focus on accountability, healing, and repairing harm—because we can be firm, fair, and still believe in redemption.

Judges serve the people. If you elect me as Judge in the 17th Subcircuit, I will work tirelessly—every day—to serve the people of Cook County with fairness, respect, and independence.

I'm Meridth Hammer, candidate for Judge in the 17th Subcircuit. My punch number is 142. Remember: It's Hammer Time!

I’m proud to be endorsed by the following:

• Chicago Federation of Labor
• Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore (4th District)
• Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th District)
• Alderman Greg Mitchell (Chicago 7th Ward)
• Mayor Robert Polk (Burnham)
• Mayor James Ford (Country Club Hills)
• Mayor Jason House (Dolton)
• Mayor Jada Curry (Lynwood)
• Mayor Roger Agpawa (Markham)
• Mayor Terry Wells (Phoenix)
• Mayor Darren Bryant (Robbins)
• Vernard Alsberry (Bremen Township Committeeman)
• Senator Elgie Sims (17th District)
• State Representative Marcus Evans (33rd District)
• Alderwoman Monet S. Wilson (Calumet City 2nd Ward)
• Alderman Ramonde D. Williams (Calumet City 4th Ward)

Injustice Watch out with Election Guide for the judicial primary -- and IW is worried about the dearth of candidates, too

In case you haven't yet seen it, Injustice Watch is out with its 2026 Cook County Judicial Election Guide. Injustice Watch has the resources to unearth interesting facts about our brothers and sisters seeking election to the bench, and it has done so once again. It is certainly worth your time to take a gander.

In addition, Dan Hinkel and David Jackson have an article up on Injustice Watch, "No contest: Cook County judicial primary elections draw dwindling field of candidates."

FWIW readers will note that I have carped about this phenomenon on multiple occasions here, although I have not claimed to know precisely why fewer and fewer lawyers are willing to enter the lists and run for judge. I have advanced several hypotheses. FWIW readers may also recall that Albert J. Klumpp, a PhD in public policy analysis with a national reputation for expertise on judicial races, recently addressed this question in the November-December 2025 issue of the CBA Record, "Where Have All the Candidates Gone? A Concerning Trend in Cook County Judicial Elections." As Dr. Klumpp noted in the article, the decline in the number of Cook County judicial candidates has become more glaringly obvious in recent election cycles, but it is part of a long-term pattern, ongoing since a high-water mark in 1998. Dr. Klumpp will correct me if I misstate his position, but I read his recent article as considering a number of posible explanations for this, without seizing on one or more as the most important.

In their new article, Messrs. Hinkel and Jackson look at some of the same possible explanations that Dr. Klumpp and I have offered (with varying emphases, no doubt), but stake no claim as to which explanation is, or which explanations are, dispositive.

But the important part is that we're all asking the same questions. Because this is important.

Jarrett Knox: In his own words

Jarrett Knox is a candidate for the Meyerson vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit. His punch number is 141.

I am Jarrett Knox, and I am running for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 11th Subcircuit. For nearly 18 years, I have been a public servant in the courtroom, working on behalf of survivors of domestic violence, senior citizens, and children who have been abused or neglected. I currently work for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where I prosecute civil petitions filed on behalf of abused, neglected, or dependent children. Before joining the State’s Attorney’s Office I worked from 2011-2018 for the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian where I represented children involved in the child welfare system as both attorney and guardian ad litem.

My commitment to child welfare extends beyond my professional work. My wife and I have been licensed foster parents with Hephzibah Children’s Association for over 15 years, opening our home to children in and around Cook County for varying lengths of time, depending on need.

I am deeply committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all. Right out of law school, I worked as an Equal Justice Works Fellow with the Legal Aid Society, where I worked on a Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse project, representing survivors in obtaining civil orders of protection, filing for divorce, and litigating eviction proceedings. I went on to work for another legal aid organization in Chicago before my long career in child welfare.

I bring extensive courtroom experience to this race as a legal aid attorney, Assistant Public Guardian, and Assistant State’s Attorney. Beyond my experience as an advocate in the courtroom, I served as a Supervising Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Human Services from 2018-2019, where I presided over hearings involving administration of public benefits, like SNAP and Long Term Care. I have been found Qualified or Recommended by all of the evaluating bar associations, and I am honored to be supported in this race by the Cook County Democratic Party, Senate President Don Harmon, and Democratic organizations across the subcircuit. I’m also honored to be endorsed by organizations like Personal PAC.

My commitment to service in Cook County extends beyond the courtroom. I have volunteered for over a decade in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom program, helping elementary and middle school students better understand the U.S. Constitution and its impact on their everyday lives. I am also active in my community, volunteering with a hunger relief program in Oak Park and coaching kids’ sports teams.

I am seeking to serve as a judge because my career has been dedicated to helping children, families, and individuals at some of the most challenging moments in their lives. As both a courtroom attorney and as a foster parent, I have seen firsthand the importance of judges who approach each case with fairness, patience, and a deep understanding of the law’s impact on real people. Those experiences in court have reinforced for me that decisions made in the courtroom aren’t just legal but are profoundly human, with lifelong consequences. I want to bring my experience, my commitment to fairness, and my compassion to the bench to ensure that every child, family, and litigant who comes to court is treated with dignity, heard fully, and given a fair and thoughtful decision.

I ask for your vote on March 17 (punch #141) for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. My career has been devoted to public service, protecting vulnerable families, and upholding the rule of law with fairness and integrity. I will bring experience, compassion, and impartiality to the bench, and I would be honored to serve the people of Cook County.

Today is the last day to register for Thursday's Decalogue Judicial Reception

Reservations must be received by today, February 17, before 5:00 p.m., for this Thursday's Judicial Reception sponsored by the Decalogue Society.

The Thursday February 19 reception will be at the offices of Hinshaw & Culbertson, 151 N. Franklin, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The details are found in the event flyer, reproduced above. To register, click on this page of the Decalogue website.

Radiance Ward: In her own words

Radiance Ward is a candidate for the Balanoff vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit. Her punch number is 141.

My name is Radiance Ward and I am running for Judge in the 1st Judicial Subcircuit of the Circuit Court of Cook County and am seeking to fill the Balanoff vacancy.

I have been a trial attorney for 18 years. That’s what I do. But, I want to lead with who I am. I am a first-generation attorney from the South Side of Chicago. I am the daughter of a single mom, who worked incredibly hard, as a now-retired nurse, to ensure I had everything I needed to succeed. I come from a large family, so I never felt like an only child. My grandparents had 9 children, so I have over 30 first cousins, several of whom I grew up spending many a night and weekend with at my grandparents’ house on 93rd and Ada. I am a very proud product of Chicago Public Schools, an alum of McDade Classical School in Chatham and Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park. After graduating from Kenwood, a scholarship led me to Nashville, TN where I attended and graduated from Vanderbilt University. I enjoyed my years south of the Mason Dixon, but right after college, I came home to pursue my dreams of becoming an attorney. As a result, in 2007, I became the first person in my family to earn a graduate degree when I graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

From the start, my career has been dedicated to public service, in both the nonprofit and government sectors. Upon graduating from law school, I landed a position at at LifeSpan, a nonprofit which provides family law representation for survivors of domestic violence. There, I represented survivors in order of protection hearings, divorce matters, and child custody hearings. This fueled my passion for standing beside individuals during their most vulnerable moments and being the voice and advocate they deserved as they navigated the, often-intimidating, legal system.

After LifeSpan, I pivoted to the Office of the Chief Judge in the Mortgage Foreclosure section of the Chancery Division. During the height of the recession, I helped homeowners going through foreclosure proceedings navigate the court process with the hopes of retaining ownership of their homes.

After my tenure in that department, I moved to my current professional home, the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender where I have served for the past 13 years. Currently, I am an Assistant Public Defender on the homicide task force. Over the course of my years in the office, however, I have served as lead counsel on cases ranging from misdemeanor to juvenile delinquency and general felonies. Just like my role at LifeSpan, it has been such a weighty, but fulfilling privilege to represent those most vulnerable among us.

In addition to my role at the public defender’s office, I have been an adjunct professor of law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law since 2013, teaching Intensive Trial Practice and coaching in the mock trial program.

As a true South Sider, my heart is forever nestled in the communities and people who make up where I am from. Outside of my professional endeavors, I am passionate about using my time, skills, and resources for the betterment of our community. I am a board member of InspireHer Chicago, a South Side-based mentoring program for inner-city teen girls whose mission is to empower the next generation of bold, brilliant young women. In addition, I annually volunteer for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which collects Christmas gifts for children with incarcerated parents.

I have been a member of AFSCME - Local 3315 for the past 13 years, serving on the executive board for the last 3 years. There, I have fought for the rights of my union brothers and sisters in the bargaining room just as I fight for the rights of my clients in the courtroom. I am also a very proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where service and social action are at the heart of our initiatives and programming.

I am running for judge to deepen my commitment of service in Chicago, the city that raised me. In my nearly two decades of public service through law, if I’ve learned nothing else, I’ve learned that a case is more than just a collection of facts. Every single case involves actual people whose lives will be incredibly impacted by their experience at the two tables across from the bench and in the gallery of loved ones behind them. I know, first hand, how much fair and compassionate judges can influence that impact. I am running to be the judge who administers the law as fair, soundly, and compassionately as possible. Remember me, Radiance Ward, this Election Day, March 17, 2026. Punch 141!

February 18 fundraiser for Judge Michael Cabonargi

Supporters of Judge Michael Cabonargi's countywide judicial campaign are holding a fundraiser for their candidate this Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Double Clutch Brewing Co., 2121 Ashland Ave., Evanston.

Details concerning the event, including available sponsorships, are set out in the event flyer above. Tickets and sponsorships can be obtained at this ActBlue link. For further information, or questions about the event, contact eric@blueprintcampaignconsulting.com.

Alliance grids released for Cook County judicial candidates seeking subcircuit vacancies

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening have just about completed their review of the credentials of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary. The Alliance would have also attempted to review the credentials of any candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary -- but there are no Republican candidates.

This post covers Alliance ratings for subcircuit candidates. Click here for FWIW's earlier post on Alliance ratings of countywide judicial candidates.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of the 20 subcircuits. Not all subcircuits have vacancies to fill in 2026. Many of these vacancies are uncontested. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. No choices.
The ratings issued by each of the bar associations that together comprise the Alliance are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. (I'll give you the full names of all 13 if you stay with me until the end here.) The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

Readers will note that some of the squares in the grids are blank. That means that the candidate in question has not yet received a rating from that particular Alliance member. FWIW expects to have updated grids between now and the Feast of St. Patrick.

Alright, then, with these preliminaries concluded, herewith the Alliance ratings for Cook County subcircuit candidates (click to enlarge or clarify the images):

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

Alliance grids released for countywide judicial candidates

The casual voter will happen upon this post, read through it, and wonder: Where are all the candidates?

This is it, folks. (All the countywide judicial candidates, anyway. We'll get to the subcircuit candidates in the next post -- but a word of caution to you, Mr. or Ms. Casual Voter: If you live in Cook County, you live in but one of 20 Subcircuits. You may have one vacancy to fill in your subcircuit; you may have none. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. No choices. Also: Every single one of the candidates seeking judgeships in Cook County in 2026 is doing so in a Democratic Primary. There is not one Republican candidate. There is no 'two party system' here.)

Let's start with the one and only candidate for the Hoffman vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court, namely, Judge Judith C. Rice. Here are her Alliance ratings:

The ratings issued by each of the 13 bar associations that together comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. (I'll give you the full names of all 13 if you stay with me until the end here.) The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

Still with me? Alright, then, herewith the sparse crop of countywide candidates for vacancies on the Circuit Court of Cook County and their Alliance ratings (click to enlarge or clarify the images):

By the way, my grousing about the minuscule number of candidates is not meant to infer or suggest anything negative about any of these persons individually. It strikes me, however, that the failure of more candidates to step forward and seek these vacancies may indicate that something is terribly wrong with our political process generally and, quite possibly, with our judicial system in particular. Why don't more people want to serve as judges? Why aren't more people willing to declare themselves as candidates? These are questions for a different day, but these are questions that must be asked. And answered.

Meanwhile, you've been patient with me and made it to the end of this post. Therefore, as promised, the 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

CBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA has not released any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary because there are no candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County via the Republican primary.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of 20 judicial subcircuits. Voters can only choose among candidates in the subcircuits where they reside (and, of course, only if they vote in the Democratic primary). Not every subcircuit has a vacancy to be filled. And, as you will see, even in those subcircuits where there are vacancies, many of those vacancies are uncontested (only one candidate filed). In this post, FWIW looks at the CBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13-20. The CBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. A post on the CBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 1-11 can be found at this link.

13th Subcircuit

Curry, Jr. Vacancy

ROBERT “BOB” GROEBNER - QUALIFIED

Robert Groebner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Groebner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for his entire career. He has had many assignments, including as a misdemeanor and felony trial assistant. For the past 11 years, he has been assigned to preliminary hearings, bond court, and pre-trial release hearings. Mr. Groebner is well respected by judges whom he appears before, colleagues and adversaries. He has substantial trial and litigation experience and has a strong knowledge of criminal law and the research skills to learn new areas. He is also noted for his good demeanor and temperament.

M. Kelley Vacancy

BRITTANY MICHELLE PEDERSON - QUALIFIED

Brittany Michelle Pedersen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Pedersen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. She is currently a trial attorney focusing primarily on criminal defense, representing individuals charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses. She is highly regarded for her commitment to pro bono service and active community involvement. Ms. Pedersen possesses a solid foundation of trial and legal experience and is well-respected for her legal ability, diligence, and demeanor.

T. Kelley Vacancy

WILLIAM F. KELLEY - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Kelley's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

O'Malley Vacancy

DAN NARANJO - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Naranjo's appointment to the bench in mid-2025 - Ed.) Dan Naranjo is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Naranjo was admitted to practice law in Florida in 1997 and in Illinois in 1998. He joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office in 2000. He has handled misdemeanor and felony matters and is currently assigned to the Multiple Defendant Division. Mr. Naranjo is respected by lawyers and judges before whom he has appeared for his calm demeanor, legal knowledge and diligence. Daniel Naranjo is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

JULIAN SANCHEZ CROZIER - QUALIFIED

Julian Sanchez Crozier is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Crozier was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2013. He worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for five years. He has been a partner at Ciesielski, Soukaras, and Crozier Law, LLC for seven years handling criminal defense. Mr. Crozier has considerable trial experience in both civil and criminal courts. He is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, demeanor and temperament, and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mendoza Vacancy

JESSICA KARINA VELEZ - NOT RECOMMENDED

Jessica Karina Velez is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Velez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2012. She is currently the Deputy General Counsel at the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Prior to that, she worked at two tort defense firms. The Committee was impressed with the candidate’s integrity, diligence, judicial temperament, and punctuality as well as her dedication to the legal community. However, the candidate is not a seasoned litigator with the depth of complex litigation experience that is required to be a judge. The Committee believes that the candidate can reach the level of experience required with more trial experience.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

NATALIA MOORE - NOT RECOMMENDED

Natalia Moore declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

MERIDTH HAMMER - NOT RECOMMENDED

Meridth Hammer declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Carroll Vacancy

AMARI DAWSON - NOT RECOMMENDED

Amari Dawson declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

BIANCA B. BROWN - QUALIFIED

Bianca B. Brown is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Brown was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She spent 14 years working at public agencies, including the City of Chicago, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the CTA. She is now in private practice. Ms. Brown has been extremely active in bar association activities and has demonstrated a commitment to public service. She has vast trial experience, and is knowledgeable, even-handed, and well suited to serve as a judge.

ANDRÉ THAPEDI - NOT RECOMMENDED

André Thapedi declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

18th Subcircuit

Chrones Vacancy

JUAN PONCE DE LEON - QUALIFIED

Juan Ponce de Leon is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ponce de Leon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He has 15 years of experience with the Cook County Office of the Public Defender, where he was initially assigned to child protection for three years, followed by two years in juvenile justice, and for the last 10 years he has been assigned to felony courtrooms. He is well respected for his integrity, excellent temperament, and knowledge of the law.

Andreou Vacancy

SAM BAE - QUALIFIED

Sam Bae is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bae was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999. He is currently a solo practitioner whose general practice concentrates in personal injury, family law, business litigation and civil litigation. He is well respected for his legal knowledge, integrity, diligence and fine temperament.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

SARA MCGANN - QUALIFIED

Sara McGann is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McGann was admitted to practice law in 2009. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County assigned to the Appeals Division. Ms. McGann is committed to public service. She is well respected for her demeanor and knowledge of the law and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service as a Cook County Judge.

Kane Vacancy

MONICA SOMERVILLE - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Committee's Governing Resolution, the JEC Executive Committee has voted to issue a "Qualified" rating for Monica Gail Somerville's current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

JOHN HARKINS - NOT RECOMENDED

John Harkins declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

DAVE CONDRON - QUALIFIED

David Condron is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Condron was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. He began his 16-year career at the Cook County State's Attorney's office, handling criminal matters, including in the Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit and Special Prosecutions, before moving to the Civil Actions Bureau. Mr. Condron subsequently went into private practice, where he handled matters involving commercial real estate and complex construction. Currently, he is an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor with the City of Chicago's Law Department, dealing with excessive force claims. Mr. Condron is well respected for his calm and professional temperament, his legal knowledge, and his experience in both complex civil and criminal litigation matters.

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

MICHAEL J. ZINK - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Zink's appointment to the bench in late 2024 - Ed.) Michael J. Zink is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Zink was admitted to practice law in November 2004. Mr. Zink is currently in private practice. The candidate has extensive legal experience, his references praise his temperament, and he has a strong history of performing community service. Mr. Zink is qualified to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Miller Vacancy

JON STROMSTA - QUALIFIED

Jon Stromsta is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stromsta was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985. Mr. Stromsta worked in private practice with a focus on civil litigation and appeals, family law, and criminal defense. He is currently an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Employment Security, where he conducts benefit appeals, evidentiary hearings, drafts decisions and review hearings, and prepares opinions for the Board of Review. He is well regarded for his temperament and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

BELLE KATUBIG - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Katubig's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

CBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA has not released any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary because there are no candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County via the Republican primary.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of 20 judicial subcircuits. Voters can only choose among candidates in the subcircuits where they reside (and, of course, only if they vote in the Democratic primary). Not every subcircuit has a vacancy to be filled. And, as you will see, even in those subcircuits where there are vacancies, many of those vacancies are uncontested (only one candidate filed). In this post, FWIW looks at the CBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1-11. The CBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. A post on the CBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 13-20 will follow later today.

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

RADIANCE WARD - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Radiance Ward is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ward was admitted to practice law in 2007. She began her career as a solo practitioner handling family law cases, before joining a Legal Aid group helping victims of domestic violence. She subsequently worked for the Cook County Circuit Court as a staff attorney. For the past 12 years, Ms. Ward has been an Assistant Public Defender, working her way up the ranks to where she now primarily handles murder cases at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building. She also is an adjunct Professor at Loyola and coaches a mock trial team. Ms. Ward is highly respected for her integrity, courtroom experience, legal knowledge, and her ability to empathize with litigants.

NATALIE L. HOWSE - NOT RECOMMENDED

Natalie L. Howse declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Walker Vacancy

ASHLEY GREER SHAMBLEY - QUALIFIED

Ashley Shambley is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Shambley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She has over 14 years of experience as a public defender, handling complex homicide cases. Ms. Shambley is actively involved in her community and various charities and has a deep level of commitment to public service. She is respected for her integrity, knowledge of the law, and excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

GINGER ODOM - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, the JEC Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Odom's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

TIFFANY BROOKS - NOT RECOMMENDED

Tiffany Brooks declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

JOHN CARROLL - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Carroll's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

Sherlock Vacancy

MARTIN DOUGLAS REGGI - NOT RECOMMENDED

Martin Douglas Reggi is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Reggi has practiced law since 1990. Most of his experience is in criminal defense, although he has recently done some civil work. The Committee has concerns about Mr. Reggi’s organizational skills and whether he could manage a call and listen to evidence and arguments and organize facts properly to analyze them and apply the law.

RACHEL MARRELLO - NOT RECOMMENDED

Rachel S. Marrello is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Marrello was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000. Currently, she is employed by Cook County Health as in-house labor and employment counsel. Ms. Marrello is articulate, has excellent demeanor, and works well with people. She has handled many intricate aspects of public administration. She served as an elected suburban school board member for four years. Although Ms. Marrello handled simple arbitrations and assisted with litigation matters early in her career, she has never tried a case and lacks the trial court experience required to serve as a Circuit Judge.

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacany

STEPHANIE S. KELLY - NOT RECOMMENDED

Stephanie S. Kelly declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

KATHLEEN CUNNIFF ORI - QUALIFIED

Kathleen Cunniff Ori is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ori was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. She began her legal career as a law clerk initially for Judge Michael M. Mihm of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois and then for Judge William J. Bauer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She then was in private practice prior to joining the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where she currently serves as Deputy Supervisor in Labor and Employment. Ms. Ori is committed to community service and is highly regarded for her integrity, legal knowledge and trial experience, and temperament. She possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

ELIZABETH CHRISTINA DIBLER - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Dibler's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

GARSON FISCHER - QUALIFIED

Garson Fischer is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fischer was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been an attorney in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office since 2005. He currently serves as Deputy Chief for Criminal Appeals. Mr. Fischer possesses extensive knowledge of criminal law and demonstrates a calm and thoughtful temperament. He presents as intelligent, articulate, and carries himself with professionalism. His demeanor is well suited for the bench. Mr. Fischer possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mikva Vacancy

LESTER FINKLE - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Finkle's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

DAN BALANOFF - NOT RECOMMENDED

Daniel C. Balanoff is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Balanoff was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. He is a solo practitioner representing clients in bankruptcy, probate, real estate and estate planning matters. He also served as Chief Legal Officer for the Cook County Board of Review, District 2. Mr. Balanoff’s dedication to community service and pro bono work is commendable and reflects a strong commitment to public interest.

Mr. Balanoff was the subject of an employment discrimination suit in which he and his Board of Review supervisor were sued. The case was quickly settled and no findings resulted. In addition, Mr. Balanoff was found to have violated the Cook County ethics code in connection with his role on the tax board. He dismissed the ethics board findings as politically motivated. Both matters are recent and raise concerns regarding his judgment.

Additionally, while Mr. Balanoff’s work at the tax board provided some trial experience, those matters were relatively limited in scope and brief in duration. Broader and more substantive litigation experience, particularly in jury trials and complex legal issues, would provide a stronger foundation for confident, well-informed judicial decision-making in more legally intricate matters.

KATHERINE CAROLE MORRISON - QUALIFIED

Katherine Carole Morrison is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Morrison was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2012. She has been involved in various other organizations, including the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, The Chicago Bar Association, and Lawyers Lend-A-Hand. She is a partner at Burns Noland LLP, where she has practiced personal injury and civil rights cases on the defense side. Ms. Morrison has an impressive background regarding high-end legal work regarding nursing home cases. She received high praise for her intelligence, diligence, and legal knowledge.

11th Subcircuit

Meyerson Vacancy

JARRETT KNOX - QUALIFIED

Jarrett M. Knox is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Knox was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. His practice has had a primary focus in public guardianship and child protection. He is held in high regard by his adversaries, particularly for his integrity and professional demeanor. His ability to remain calm, balanced, and measured in emotionally charged cases involving minors, abuse, and neglect underscores his strong judicial temperament and makes him exceptionally well suited for service on the Circuit Court bench.

JOHN R. CARROZZA - QUALIFIED

john R. Carrozza is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Judge. Mr. Carrozza was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been practicing law in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, breach of contract, mechanic’s lien, probate and real estate. He has a strong devotion to public service, as evidenced by his involvement in volunteer efforts that benefit the disadvantaged and people with disabilities. He is well respected by judges, colleagues, and adversaries for his legal knowledge and ability.

Roberts Vacancy

KIM PRZEKOTA - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Przekota's appointment to the bench in early 2025 - Ed.) Kimberly Przekota is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Przekota was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. Since then, she has been an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and is currently a first chair Assistant in a felony courtroom, trying serious felonies including homicide. She has considerable practice experience and is highly regarded by her adversaries and judges before whom she has appeared. Ms. Przekota is well regarded for her professionalism, even in highly charged, emotional matters.

CBA releases narrative explanations of its ratings of countywide judicial candidates

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA has not released any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary because there are no candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County via the Republican primary.

In this post, FWIW looks at the CBA's evaluations of countywide judicial candidates. Subsequent posts will look at the CBA's evaluations of judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11 and Subcircuits 13 to 20.

We begin here with the CBA's evaluation of the only Appellate Court candidate:

JUDITH C. RICE - QUALIFIED

Judge C. Judith Rice is "Qualified" for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Rice was admitted to practice law in 1988. She has been a judge since 2014. Judge Rice is the Acting Presiding Judge of the Domestic Violence Division. Prior to becoming a judge, she served in executive positions at BMO Harris Bank, was the Chicago City Treasurer, served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago, and as a prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's office. Judge Rice is well regarded for her integrity, temperament, work ethic and diligence.

Countywide Vacancies

Burke Vacancy

Steven Q. McKenzie – Qualified

Steven Q. McKenzie is “Qualified” for the office of circuit court judge. Mr. Mckenzie was admitted to practice law in illinois in 1997. Since 2006, he has been a supervising assistant corporation counsel, primarily dealing with housing and building code issues. He has also been involved in writing proposed legislation regarding those issues. His references were uniformly positive, noting that as a prosecutor he focused less on technical violations and more on achieving remedies that promoted public safety. Although the majority of his professional experience has been in a niche area of practice, we find that he possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as Circuit Court Judge.

Cobbs Vacancy

LIZ MARIA TOLEDO - QUALIFIED

Luz Toledo is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Toledo was admitted to practice in 2006. She is an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney assigned to the Real Estate and Tax Litigation Division. She previously served in the Appeals Division and spent 12 years prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases. Ms. Toledo is well-respected for her legal knowledge and ability, as well as her calm temperament and demeanor.

LINDA SACKEY - QUALIFIED

Judge Linda Sackey is "Qualified" for the office of circuit court judge. Judge Sackey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and has served on the bench since January 2025. Prior to her appointment, she had a diverse array of legal experience including in private practice and in the Illinois attorney general's office. Immediately prior to her judicial appointment, she clerked for Illinois supreme court justice Mary Jane Theis. Judge Sackey is well regarded for her legal knowledge and ability and her excellent demeanor and calm temperament.

Coghlan Vacancy

ASHONTA C. RICE - QUALIFIED

Ashonta C. Rice is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Rice was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. She began her career in the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office where she served for three years. For the last 18 years, she has been in private practice primarily in the areas of family law, child protection litigation, and guardianship. She possesses the litigation experience along with the temperament and demeanor necessary to serve effectively as a Circuit Court Judge.

MICHAEL CABONARGI - QUALIFIED

Michael Carbonargi is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Carbonargi was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. He has a broad range of high-level legal experience and is currently serving as Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Carbonargi is well respected for his legal knowledge, his calm and professional demeanor and his integrity. He possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Hooks Vacancy

AVA GEORGE STEWART - QUALIFIED

Pursuant to Section 34 of The Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Governing Resolution, The Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Stewart's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

Karkula Vacancy

D’ANTHONY “TONY” THEDFORD - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Thedford's appointment to the bench in late 2024 -- Ed.) D'Anthony “Tony” Thedford is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Thedford was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997. Mr. Thedford began his practice as a Cook County Public Defender and is currently in private practice. He has extensive experience in both criminal and civil litigation. He has demonstrated strong legal experience in his trial work as well as the variety of substantive legal areas he has litigated. Mr. Thedford is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, work ethic, diligence, and fine demeanor.