Who Sits Where: Pulaski Day edition

Yes, it's Pulaski Day -- far too early to be talking about the 2026 election. Don't blame me, however. I don't determine the election cycle, I just write about one small corner of it. Lobby your elected representatives instead. Tell them August would be a much better time than March in which to hold a primary: By August 2026 John Q. and Mary Sue Public will be starting to think in earnest about the elections in November and more willing to inform themselves about the issues of the day. They would be far more willing to come out and vote to select candidates worthy of public support in an August primary. If your elected officials could respond honestly, they might say something like this: Duh. That's why we hold the primary in March, before anyone has a clue what we're up to.

Then the asteroid would hit....

But don't worry; were you fool enough to make such a suggestion, your elected representatives would ignore you and/or agree that yours is a marvelous idea, that they've always supported, but that they haven't been able to move the idea forward in Springfield. And, if you want to be a judge, don't put your elected officials on the spot like this; it won't help at slating time.

If you don't want to be a judge, or if you couldn't get slated with a million dollars of readily disposable income, please also lobby your elected officials support legislation to make the judicial primaries non-partisan.

It astounds anyone not from Chicago (and also anyone possessing at least three functioning brain cells) that we elect our mayor and our alderpersons in a "non-partisan" primary, but we make persons running to be professional neutrals -- you know, judges? -- run in partisan primaries (and, in Cook County, as a practical matter, only in the Democratic primary). But -- sputters the out-of-towner -- that effectively disenfranchises Republicans or independents unwilling to vote in a partisan primary! And the politicians would stare blankly in response, thinking, but never actually vocalizing, Duh. That's why we do it this way.

But, again, don't blame me. This is not my system. I'm just offering navigation aids here for those looking to set sail on a sea of political insanity.

What follows is a list of known judicial vacancies that will be on the 2026 ballot. This list is entirely unofficial, and almost certainly incomplete. I've indicated those vacancies filled by temporary appointment or where an appointment process has been announced. There will be more vacancies and more appointments both.

Any and all errors of omission or commission in the following list are mine alone and I will be grateful for additions and corrections provided. This list will likely be updated several times in the coming months.

Countywide Circuit Court Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. Cynthia Y. Cobbs -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Mary Ellen Coghlan -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. William H. Hooks -- Linda Sackey
Vacancy of the Hon. Paul Karkula -- D'Anthony (Tony) Thedford

Subcircuit Vacancies

1st Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Robert Balanoff -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Carl A. Walker -- Unfilled

3rd Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Thomas W. Murphy -- Unfilled

8th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Celia L. Gamrath -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Mary L. Mikva -- Unfilled

11th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Pamela McLean Meyerson -- Unfilled
Vacancy of the Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts -- Kim Przekota

13th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Shannon P. O'Malley -- Unfilled

16th Subcircuit
Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Patricia Mendoza -- Unfilled
Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Callie L. Baird -- Unfilled

19th Subcircuit
Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. John A. Fairman -- Unfilled

20th Subcircuit
Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. David E. Haracz -- Michael Zink
Converted from the Vacancy of the Hon. Stephanie K. Miller -- Unfilled