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.
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