The ISBA 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.
In this post, FWIW looks at the ISBA's narrative explanations of countywide judicial candidates (that is, candidates for the one Appellate Court vacancy and the five countywide Circuit Court vacancies). Subcircuit candidates will be covered in subsequent posts. We begin with the only Appellate Court candidate:
Judith C. Rice - Qualified
Judith C. Rice was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1988 and elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2014 and retained in 2020. In 2019 she was assigned to Domestic Relations and is currently its Presiding Judge managing the operations of ten domestic violence courtrooms and fifteen judges.
Judge Rice also serves as a rotating judge for both civil and criminal domestic violence cases and hears after-hours orders of protection. She is described as knowing the law well and is always ready to provide a fair hearing asking relevant questions. Those interviewed report that Judge Rice brings sensitivity to diversity and bias to the bench once immediately addressing a litigant’s derogatory remark.
The Illinois State Bar Association finds Judith C. Rice qualified for election to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.
Countywide Vacancies
Burke Vacancy
Steven Q. McKenzie – Qualified
Steven Quaintance McKenzie was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. For most of his career, he has been with the City of Chicago – Law Department. Presently he is Supervising Assistant Corporation Counsel in litigating matters of building code enforcement. Prior to this, he was in the Housing Division.
Though his particular area of law does not get a substantial amount of litigation, Mr. McKenzie’s legal knowledge, ability and temperament is well suited for a judicial position. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Steven Q. McKenzie qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Cobbs Vacancy
Luz Maria Toledo - Qualified
Luz Maria Toledo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2006. From 2007 to 2018 she was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney assigned to the Criminal Division where she was responsible for prosecuting all types of misdemeanor and felonies. In 2018 she transferred to the Civil Actions Bureau where she has been litigating real estate tax appeals, representing the Cook County Treasurer, Assessor and the Board of Review.
Ms. Toledo is a member of several Hispanic bar associations where she has participated in food drives and donated her hair. Many people praised her legal knowledge, attention to detail and punctuality. She is sensitive to diverse litigants. She is described as conducting herself with courtesy, professionalism and is calm and even-tempered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Luz Maria Toledo qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Linda Sackey - Qualified
Linda Sackey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2006. Effective January 2025, she was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William H. Hooks. Prior to her appointment she served as a judicial clerk to Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. From 2013 to 2018 she was an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Appeals Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and served as an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School in 2016.
Judge Sackey’s present assignment is in Traffic Division where she presides over misdemeanors like DUI and petty offenses. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Linda Sackey qualified for election to the Circuit of Cook County.
Coghlan Vacancy
Ashonta C. Rice – Qualified
Ashonta Cherron Rice was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. Prior to 2024 she was a sole practitioner with concentration primarily in the areas of family law and child protection litigation. In January 2024 she began representing the Park Gold Group on matters including probate, real estate, traffic, small claims and social security disability claims.
It is reported that Ms. Rice is versed in all areas of the law; is extraordinarily competent; treats everyone equally; holds herself to a high standard; and presents herself as calm and mild-mannered. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ashonta C. Rice qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Michael Cabonargi – Qualified
Michael Cabonargi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Effective June 2025, Mr. Cabonargi was appointed to fill the vacancy of retired Judge Mary Ellen Coghlan. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cabonargi was Regional Director of the Great Lakes Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and thirty-four indigenous tribal nations. From 2011 to 2022 he served as a commissioner on the Cook County Board of Review.
Judge Cabonargi’s present assignment is in the Traffic Division at the Daley Center. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Michael Cabonargi qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Hooks Vacancy
Ava George Stewart - Qualified
Ava M. George Stewart was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She started her career with the City of Chicago trying traffic cases. In 2005, she started her own practice concentrating in criminal defense. From 2021 to 2023, she was Chief of the Lake County State's Attorney's Criminal Division. She returned to her own criminal defense practice in 2023. Since January of 2025, Ms. Stewart has also served as a hearing officer for the Water Reclamation District. Since 2018, she has also taught appellate advocacy at UIC law school.
Ms. George Stewart has been active in several bar associations, serving as an officer, board, or committee member in the ISBA, Lincoln American Inn of Court, WBAI, BWLA, and Women Criminal Defense Lawyers at various times. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ava George Stewart qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Karkula Vacancy
D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford – Qualified
D’Anthony Thedford was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1977. Effective December 2, 2024, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Karkula. Prior to this appointment, he had been a partner at Thedford Garber Law, LLC since 2016 specializing in the areas of criminal defense and civil rights. From 2005 to 2016 he practiced at his own law firm; from 1997 to 2005 he served as an Assistant Public Defender representing indigent clients.
Judge Thedford’s first assignment was in the Traffic Division; he is presently assigned to the Pre-trial Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
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