Two upcoming Cook County judicial elections that will not involve the public

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans is seeking reelection to a new three-year term.

He has served as Chief Judge since 2001, the longest tenure of any Cook County Chief Judge since the Illinois courts were reorganized in 1964.

Jordyn Reiland reported, in the May 7 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, that Judge Lorna E. Propes has announced her intention to oppose Judge Evans's bid for a 7th term.

There may ultimately be other declared candidates; there will be rumors and speculations aplenty. But, whatever campaigning may take place, we may rest assured that candidates will not be airing commercials during our evening newscasts. That is because the only persons eligible to vote in the election for Cook County Chief Judge are current Cook County Circuit Court judges.

The Chief Judge election will be held in September. Meanwhile, in the next few weeks, prior to June 30, that same small electorate will decide the fate of each of the Cook County Circuit Court's associate judges -- even those appointed just last year.

Why? Because Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39(a)(1) provides, in pertinent part, "The terms of all associate judges in office shall expire on June 30th of every fourth year subsequent to 1975, regardless of the date on which any judge is appointed."

In fact, this election is already underway. Supreme Court Rule 39(c) provides:

(c) Reappointment of Associate Judges Upon Expiration of Their Terms.

(1) Request for Reappointment. An associate judge may file a request for reappointment with the chief judge of the circuit at least three months but not more than six months before the expiration of his or her term. At least 63 days before the expiration of the terms of associate judges, each chief judge shall certify to the Director the names of the associate judges in the circuit who have requested reappointment.

(2) Distribution of Ballots. At least 40 days before the expiration of the terms of associate judges, the Director shall prepare and distribute ballots on which each circuit judge shall vote on the question whether each associate judge who has requested reappointment shall be reappointed for another term. Each ballot shall be accompanied by a stamped, addressed return envelope, an envelope marked “For Ballot Only,” and a signature card.

(3) Balloting. Each circuit judge shall complete his or her ballot, enclose it in the envelope marked “For Ballot Only,” seal the envelope, sign the signature card, and enclose the sealed envelope and signature card in the stamped, addressed return envelope, which shall be delivered to the Director within 14 days after it was distributed. The Director shall count the ballots which are accompanied by a signed signature card, tabulate the results and certify them to the chief judge, maintaining the secrecy of the ballots. If three fifths of the circuit judges voting on the question vote in favor of reappointment of an associate judge, he or she shall be declared reappointed for another term.

In 2015, all Cook County associate judges seeking retention were reappointed. Statewide, 376 of the 384 associate judges seeking reappointment in 2015 were retained. The results of the 2015 reappointment election came on June 11 of that year.