Updated February 9 to correct typo
The
Illinois State Bar Association has released narrative explanations for its evaluations of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.
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.
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 ISBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1-11. The ISBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered
in this post. The ISBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 13-20 can be found
in this post.
1st Subcircuit
Balanoff Vacancy
Radiance Ward – Qualified
Radiance Ward was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. Since 2013 she has worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Homicide Task Force Unit, and as an adjunct law professor at Loyola University – Chicago School of Law teaching intensive trial practice. From 2012 to 2013 she was a case manager in the Office of the Chief Judge. From 2009 to 2012 she was a solo practitioner with concentration on domestic relations matters.
Ms. Ward has been described as extremely bright, dedicated and has a very good understanding of the law. She has a high regard for rules of ethics; is very calm; well-prepared for trial and handles her cases diligently and efficiently. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Radiance Ward
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Natalie L. Howse – Not Recommended
Natalie L. Howse was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. Public records show she is owner and principal of the Law Office of Natalie L. Howse with a concentration in civil defense. Ms. Howse declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Natalie L. Howse is
not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Walker Vacancy
Ashley Greer Shambley – Qualified
Ashley Greer Shambley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. She started her career as an associate in the Law office of John F. Lyke. Since 2012 she has been an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. As most of her experience is in criminal law, she has had some domestic relations practice. She lists twenty-seven criminal trials-to-verdict as a lead counsel and twenty as assisting counsel.
Ms. Greer Shambley has been active in several social and legal associations and an executive board member of AFSCME since 2023. She is described as being on top of the law with tremendous legal knowledge, unimpeachable character and highly respected by opposing counsels and judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ashley Greer Shambley
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Ginger Odom - Qualified
Ginger Leigh Odom was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. Effective June 23, 2025, she was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the election of Justice Carl A. Walker to the Appellate Court. Prior to the appointment, she had been an Assistant Appellate Defender since 2004 in the Office of the State Appellate Defender’s Office. In 2020 she was named Director of the Expungement Unit and also served on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Access to Justice.
Judge Odom’s present assignment is in the Traffic Division. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Ginger Odom
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Tiffany N. Brooks – Not Recommended
Tiffany N. Brooks was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. Public records show she is currently the General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a position she has held since December 2020.
Ms. Brooks declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Tiffany N. Brooks is
not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
3rd Subcircuit
Murphy Vacancy
John Carroll – Highly Qualified
John P. Carroll, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. Effective May 2025, he was appointed to fill the vacancy of retired Judge Thomas W. Murphy. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Carroll served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for six years with a focus on projects involving policy, legislation, litigation, outreach, and advocacy. Previously he spent nineteen years with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted cases in the Felony Trial, Sex Crimes, Narcotics and Special Prosecutions divisions and for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Judge Carroll was initially assigned to the Traffic Division; in July 2025 he was assigned to the Domestic Violence Division where as a “floater”, he presides over criminal and civil domestic violence cases and emergency orders of protection. The Illinois State Bar Association finds John Carroll
highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Sherlock Vacancy
Martin Douglas Reggi – Not Qualified
Martin Douglas Reggi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980. After spending several years as an Assistant State’s Attorney, he opened a solo practice focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation, real estate, Secretary of State hearings and evictions. He has some jury trial experience as well as misdemeanor bench trial and quasi-criminal matters. He is a member of various bar associations.
Mr. Reggi is reported to be fair and impartial and treats all with respect; however, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his current legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Martin Douglas Reggi
not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Rachel S. Marrello – Qualified
Rachel Stephanie Marrello was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. She held a variety of positions in private labor/employment firms until 2010 when she joined the Cook County and Forest Preserve as the Shakman compliance administrator. In 2010, Ms. Marrello joined the Cook County Independent Investigator General’s Office as an investigator. Since 2022, she has been in-house labor and employment counsel for Cook County Health. She reports as having acted as hearing officer or presenter for eighty-five quasi-judicial hearings in the past five years.
Ms. Marrello serves on the board of the Bellwood Stray Crew. She was elected to the Riverside School District Board and served as vice president or board member from 2013 to 2017. Respondents praised her professionalism, temperament and sensitivity. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Rachel S. Marrello
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
5th Subcircuit
Ross Vacancy
Stephanie S. Kelly - Qualified
Stephanie S. Kelly was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. She has been Interim Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for Major, Lindsay & Africa since 2023. She previously worked in various positions at Chicago State University ultimately becoming Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer before leaving in late 2020.
The Illinois State Bar Association finds Stephanie S. Kelly
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
8th Subcircuit
Gamrath Vacancy
Kathleen Cunniff Ori – Qualified
Kathleen Cunniff Ori was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. Since 2017 she has served as a Cook County State’s Attorney where she is currently assigned to the Special Litigation Division handling cases of labor and employment law. Previously, she was in private practice with McGuireWoods and clerked for a U.S. District judge and a U.S. Appellate Court judge.
Ms. Ori is described as a thorough and talented writer and researcher, having a good grasp of the law and effective at explaining it to other people; is quite competent and well-respected by colleagues, opposing counsels and judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Kathleen Cunniff Ori
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Elizabeth Christina Dibler – Qualified
Elizabeth Christina Dibler was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She has spent her career with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, presently First Chair in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau since 2018. Before this she served in the Felony Trial Division where she supervised other attorneys. She has extensive jury and bench trial experience in complex matters.
Ms. Dibler volunteers in her community and participated in mock trial competitions. She is described as being highly proficient and very knowledgeable. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Elizabeth Christina Dibler
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Garson Fischer – Qualified
Garson Fischer was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. Additionally, he is admitted and active in the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois (2006) and the U.S. Supreme Court (2009). Since 2005 Mr. Fischer has been with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office as a Deputy Chief of Criminal Appeals.
Mr. Fischer has been commended for his legal knowledge; is sensitive to ethnic diversity; is very professional and has received praise from his adversarial opponents for his legal ability, demeanor and temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Garson Fischer
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Mikva Vacancy
Lester Finkle – Qualified
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.
Dan Balanoff – Not Qualified
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.
Katherine Carole Morrison – Not Qualified
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.
11th Subcircuit
Meyerson Vacancy
Jarrett Knox – Qualified
Jarrett Miller Knox was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. He has been with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2019 in the Child Protection Division. Prior to this, he was an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Human Services and an Assistant Public Guardian and worked as a staff attorney at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic and Legal Aid Society.
Mr. Knox is described as incredibly smart, knowledgeable and thorough. He has been complemented as being a special person for staying in Child Protection as a Guardian ad litem and Assistant State’s Attorney which makes him sensitive to issues faced by his clients. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jarrett Knox
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
John R. Carrozza – Qualified
John Roy Carrozza was admitted to practice in 2005. From 2005 to 2009, he was an associate at Spina, McGuire and Okal. He started his own firm in 2009, where his practice consists of 40% criminal cases, 25% real estate matters, 15% probate matters, the remainder consisting of eviction, corporate or building code violations. Mr. Carrozza has no jury trial experience but reports 2 - 5 civil bench trials and 5 - 10 criminal bench trials in the last 5 years.
Mr. Carrozza is a member of the ISBA. He is chair of the Tootsie Roll Drive for the Knights of Columbus. He is a board member of the Sheridan-Carroll Charitable Works group. He has been involved with the latter two organizations for at least twenty years. The candidate received favorable comments from interviewees in all areas, including legal knowledge, sensitivity, and preparedness.
The Illinois State Bar Association finds John R. Carrozza
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Roberts Vacancy
Kim Przekota – Qualified
Kimberly Przekota was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. Effective February 2025, she was appointed to the Cook Circuit Court by the retirement of Judge Mary Colleen Roberts. On March 24, 2025, she was transferred from Traffic Division to Domestic Violence Division as a “floater”.
Prior to her judicial appointment, Ms. Przekota was a career Assistant State’s Attorney in Felony Trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse and Skokie. Judge Przekota is a member of various bar associations and participates in community activities. She is praised for her legal knowledge and ability, trial skills, and having a hard working nature.
The Illinois State Bar Association finds Kimberly Przekota
qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
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