Organizing the Data: 8th Subcircuit - Mikva vacancy

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.

Lester Finkle - #144

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 Executive Committee has voted to issue a “Qualified” rating for [Finkle'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:

Lester W. Finkle was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. In May 2025, he was appointed to fill the vacancy of Justice Mary L. Mikva. From 1984 to 2021, Mr. Finkle was with the Office of the Cook County Public Defender presenting more than fifty oral arguments before the Illinois Supreme and Appellate courts. At the time of his judicial appointment, he was with Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer as an appellate practitioner. Since 1997 he has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School).

Judge Finkle is reported to be the “go to” person; incredibly knowledgeable in the interpretation and analysis of case law; personable; and is sensitive to diversity and bias. His first assignment was in Traffic Division, six weeks later he was reassigned to the Domestic Violence Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Lester Finkle qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not Evaluated through no fault of candidate

Black Men Lawyers' Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Highly 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

Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide

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Dan Balanoff - #145

Campaign Website

(NB: This site was down on the evening of Tuesday, March 5; the candidate is aware of the problem and told FWIW that he is taking steps to get the site back online.)

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

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.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Council has not yet released candidate narratives.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Daniel C. Balanoff was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. He is a solo practitioner with a general practice focusing on estate planning, probate, real estate, bankruptcy, and personal injury. Until June of 2025 he also held the position of Chief Legal Officer/Director of Special Projects for the Cook County Board of Review Property Tax Appeal Board for District 2 where he advised on legal, regulatory and procedural issues and defenders’ assessments. He has presented at various CLE seminars, was a speaker a various Board of Review outreach events, and has been a moot court judge. He reports no jury or bench trials.

Attorneys reported that Mr. Balanoff is capable and articulate in his area, as well as being considerate, patient and professional. Concerns were raised about his limited area of practice and the depth and breadth of his legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dan Balanoff not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not Evaulated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Not Recommended

Black Men Lawyers' Association: Not Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: 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: Not Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended


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Katherine Carole Morrison - #146

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

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.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

The Council has not yet released candidate narratives.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Katherine Carole Morrison was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2012. After first spending several years at Dykema, in 2018 she joined Burns Noland LLP where she is a partner focusing on medical malpractice defense and civil rights/section 1983 defense cases. She reports having one jury trial as lead counsel, two as associate, but none in the last few years. She has been a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee and is a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. She has also served as chair of the diversity and inclusion committee at her firm.

While attorneys contacted gave positive feedback on Ms. Morrison’s legal knowledge and ability, stating that she is well-prepared, organized and patient, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her litigation experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Katherine Carole Morrison 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

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
IUOE Local 399
IBEW Local 134
Chicago FOP John Dineen Lodge No. 7
Plumbers Local 130 UA
IUOE Local 150

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