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.
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