Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for any Cook County judicial vacancy for the 2026 primary. This post may be updated before the primary as new information becomes available.
Natalia Moore - #141
Campaign Website
Natalia Moore: In her own words
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Council has not yet released candidate narratives. (The Council has, however, rated this candidate Not Recommended because she declined to participate in the Alliance screening process. - Ed.)The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Public records show that Natalia Moore was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008 and is with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Moore declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Natalia Moore is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Endorsement
Girl, I Guess Progressive Voters Guide
------------------------------------------------------Meridth Hammer - #142
Campaign Website
Meridth Hammer: In her own words
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Council has not yet released candidate narratives.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Meridth Hammer was admitted to the Illinois bar in March 2020 and the Indiana bar in November 2001; her license in Indiana is still active. In July of 2025 she returned to private practice after serving for the second time as First Deputy General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, having previously served in that position from 2019 to 2021. Her duties included employment matters, ensuring compliance with laws and rules and legal research. Between 2021 and 2024 she was a supervising administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Prior to 2019 she was based in Indianapolis, working for several tech-related firms and as corporate counsel for the Crosstown Community Development Corp. in addition to being the lead attorney for The Hammer Legal Group handling business real estate transactions. She has not handled any jury trials, she does report over 100 bench trials and 100 quasi-trial matters. She is a member of the Disciplinary Commission Hearing Board for the Attorney and Registrations Disciplinary Commission and has been a committee member with the Black Women Lawyers’ Association.
Most people contacted gave Ms. Hammer positive comments on her legal knowledge and said she is impartial, prepared and professional. There are concerns about the lack of depth and breadth of her experience and her lack of complex litigation experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Meridth Hammer not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Not Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Not Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
IUOE Local 399
IBEW Local 134
Plumbers Local 130 UA
------------------------------------------------------AMVOTE PAC
IUOE Local 399
IBEW Local 134
Plumbers Local 130 UA
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