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.
Monica Somerville - #142
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Council has not yet released candidate narratives.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Monica Somerville was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. Since January 2025 she has been a staff attorney at Cabrini-Green Legal Aid handling criminal records’ relief matters. She has also been a private practitioner and a hearing officer for the City of Chicago. In the past, she has been employed by various government agencies at the federal, state, county, and city level. She is a member of various bar associations, including as a committee member for the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. She volunteers with the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and has presented on legal matters at various community and law school events.
Ms. Somerville does have some jury and bench trial experience, although the majority is not recent. Attorneys gave positive feedback on her legal knowledge and ability, her open-mindedness, professionalism and impartiality. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall experience and her lack of recent trial experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Monica G. Somerville not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Qualified
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Endorsement
AMVOTE PAC
------------------------------------------------------John Harkins - #143
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Council has not yet released candidate narratives. (However, this candidate was found Not Recommended by the Council, presumably for the same reasons as those stated by the ISBA, below. - Ed.)The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Public Records show that John Harkins was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2018 and is with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office representing the Sheriff’s office in courtrooms throughout the county.
Because he has less than the required ten years of attorney licensure and active legal practice, the Illinois State Bar Association finds John Harkins 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
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
IUOE Local 399
------------------------------------------------------IUOE Local 399
Dave Condron - #144
Candidate Website
Bar Association Evaluation Narratives
The Chicago Bar Association says:
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.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
The Council has not yet released candidate narratives.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
David Richard Condron was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Presently he is an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor with the City of Chicago’s Department of Law, defending Chicago Police officers named in civil rights claims. From 2018 to 2013 he was an Associate Counsel with O’Rourke Hogan Fowler & Dwyer with concentrations in construction, mechanics lien and commercial real estate litigation. From 2017 to 2018 he was with Conklin & Conklin handling eminent domain matters on behalf of the State of Illinois. From 2001 to 2017 he was with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony cases.
Mr. Condron has been praised for his legal knowledge by supervisors and opponents and has been described as treating everyone with respect and dignity even during difficult and emotional trials. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dave Condron qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Asian American Bar Association: Recommended
Black Men Lawyers' Association: Qualified
Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended
Cook County Bar Association: Recommended
Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC): Highly Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended
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