But it is as accurate as I can make it with the information I have collected. You gotta start someplace.
Non-lawyers (and maybe even some lawyers) may be surprised to learn that the list of judicial vacancies is not public -- not public, at least, until much, much later in the election cycle when the Illinois State Board of Elections posts an authoritative list.
When a judge decides to call it a career, said judge is supposed to submit a resignation letter to the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Chief Justice Theis could send me a copy of every letter... but I won't hold my breath waiting. The Supreme Court also requires that a retiring Cook County Circuit Court judge send copies of the resignation letter to the Director of AOIC and to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. It would be nice if the AOIC would send me an updated list, at least every now and then (and, if someone over there is reading, the email address is jackleyhane@yahoo.com). But that's a real long shot, too. And there's even less chance of getting word from Chief Judge Evans, sad to say.
And, in case you're wondering, I can't just FOIA a list. The judicial branch is exempt from FOIA. See, Bocock v. McGuire, 2017 IL App (3d) 150860, ¶21; see also, Nelson v. Kendall County, 2014 IL 116303, ¶29.
So I have to guess as best I can. I am eternally grateful to FWIW readers who send me reliable tips.
It's funny how the Cook County Democratic Party seems to be well informed about all possible vacancies. But... whatever.
All errors of omission or commission in the following list are mine alone and I am grateful for additions and corrections provided. This list will be updated periodically as event warrant in the coming weeks and months.
Countywide Circuit Court Vacancies
Vacancy of the Hon. Vincent Gaughan -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Catherine Haberkorn -- Sarah Rodak Johnson
Vacancy of the Hon. Arnette Hubbard -- Deidre M. Dyer
Vacancy of the Hon. Marcia Maras -- Arlene Y. Coleman-Romeo
Vacancy of the Hon. Raymond W. Mitchell -- Neil H. Cohen
Vacancy of the Hon. Timothy P. Murphy -- Edward J. Underhill
Vacancy of the Hon. Lorna Propes -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. William Raines -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Laura M. Sullivan -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Debra B. Walker -- ChloƩ G. Pedersen
Vacancy of the Hon. Vincent Gaughan -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Catherine Haberkorn -- Sarah Rodak Johnson
Vacancy of the Hon. Arnette Hubbard -- Deidre M. Dyer
Vacancy of the Hon. Marcia Maras -- Arlene Y. Coleman-Romeo
Vacancy of the Hon. Raymond W. Mitchell -- Neil H. Cohen
Vacancy of the Hon. Timothy P. Murphy -- Edward J. Underhill
Vacancy of the Hon. Lorna Propes -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. William Raines -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Laura M. Sullivan -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Debra B. Walker -- ChloƩ G. Pedersen
Subcircuit Vacancies
3rd Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Edward S. Harmening -- Unfilled
4th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Edward J. King -- Phillip J. Fowler
5th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Casandra Lewis -- Unfilled
7th Subcircuit
"A" Vacancy* -- Owens J. Shelby
10th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Gregory J. Wojkowski -- Unfilled
11th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Ann Finley Collins -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Paula M. Daleo -- Unfilled
12th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Grace G. Dickler -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Andrea M. Schleifer -- Unfilled
13th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Ketki Shroff Steffen -- Unfilled
14th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. James N. O'Hara -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Daniel J. Pierce -- Unfilled
15th Subcircuit
"A" Vacancy** -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Edward S. Harmening -- Unfilled
4th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Edward J. King -- Phillip J. Fowler
5th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Casandra Lewis -- Unfilled
7th Subcircuit
"A" Vacancy
10th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Gregory J. Wojkowski -- Unfilled
11th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Ann Finley Collins -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Paula M. Daleo -- Unfilled
12th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Grace G. Dickler -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Andrea M. Schleifer -- Unfilled
13th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Ketki Shroff Steffen -- Unfilled
14th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. James N. O'Hara -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Daniel J. Pierce -- Unfilled
15th Subcircuit
"A" Vacancy
Vacancies in the new 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Subcircuits will come into existence as associate judges leave office. No more than 10 such vacancies will be created in any one election cycle -- a maximum of two, that is, in each of the new five subcircuits.
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