Injustice Watch out with Election Guide for the judicial primary -- and IW is worried about the dearth of candidates, too

In case you haven't yet seen it, Injustice Watch is out with its 2026 Cook County Judicial Election Guide. Injustice Watch has the resources to unearth interesting facts about our brothers and sisters seeking election to the bench, and it has done so once again. It is certainly worth your time to take a gander.

In addition, Dan Hinkel and David Jackson have an article up on Injustice Watch, "No contest: Cook County judicial primary elections draw dwindling field of candidates."

FWIW readers will note that I have carped about this phenomenon on multiple occasions here, although I have not claimed to know precisely why fewer and fewer lawyers are willing to enter the lists and run for judge. I have advanced several hypotheses. FWIW readers may also recall that Albert J. Klumpp, a PhD in public policy analysis with a national reputation for expertise on judicial races, recently addressed this question in the November-December 2025 issue of the CBA Record, "Where Have All the Candidates Gone? A Concerning Trend in Cook County Judicial Elections." As Dr. Klumpp noted in the article, the decline in the number of Cook County judicial candidates has become more glaringly obvious in recent election cycles, but it is part of a long-term pattern, ongoing since a high-water mark in 1998. Dr. Klumpp will correct me if I misstate his position, but I read his recent article as considering a number of posible explanations for this, without seizing on one or more as the most important.

In their new article, Messrs. Hinkel and Jackson look at some of the same possible explanations that Dr. Klumpp and I have offered (with varying emphases, no doubt), but stake no claim as to which explanation is, or which explanations are, dispositive.

But the important part is that we're all asking the same questions. Because this is important.

Jarrett Knox: In his own words

Jarrett Knox is a candidate for the Meyerson vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit. His punch number is 141.

I am Jarrett Knox, and I am running for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 11th Subcircuit. For nearly 18 years, I have been a public servant in the courtroom, working on behalf of survivors of domestic violence, senior citizens, and children who have been abused or neglected. I currently work for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where I prosecute civil petitions filed on behalf of abused, neglected, or dependent children. Before joining the State’s Attorney’s Office I worked from 2011-2018 for the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian where I represented children involved in the child welfare system as both attorney and guardian ad litem.

My commitment to child welfare extends beyond my professional work. My wife and I have been licensed foster parents with Hephzibah Children’s Association for over 15 years, opening our home to children in and around Cook County for varying lengths of time, depending on need.

I am deeply committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all. Right out of law school, I worked as an Equal Justice Works Fellow with the Legal Aid Society, where I worked on a Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse project, representing survivors in obtaining civil orders of protection, filing for divorce, and litigating eviction proceedings. I went on to work for another legal aid organization in Chicago before my long career in child welfare.

I bring extensive courtroom experience to this race as a legal aid attorney, Assistant Public Guardian, and Assistant State’s Attorney. Beyond my experience as an advocate in the courtroom, I served as a Supervising Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Human Services from 2018-2019, where I presided over hearings involving administration of public benefits, like SNAP and Long Term Care. I have been found Qualified or Recommended by all of the evaluating bar associations, and I am honored to be supported in this race by the Cook County Democratic Party, Senate President Don Harmon, and Democratic organizations across the subcircuit. I’m also honored to be endorsed by organizations like Personal PAC.

My commitment to service in Cook County extends beyond the courtroom. I have volunteered for over a decade in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom program, helping elementary and middle school students better understand the U.S. Constitution and its impact on their everyday lives. I am also active in my community, volunteering with a hunger relief program in Oak Park and coaching kids’ sports teams.

I am seeking to serve as a judge because my career has been dedicated to helping children, families, and individuals at some of the most challenging moments in their lives. As both a courtroom attorney and as a foster parent, I have seen firsthand the importance of judges who approach each case with fairness, patience, and a deep understanding of the law’s impact on real people. Those experiences in court have reinforced for me that decisions made in the courtroom aren’t just legal but are profoundly human, with lifelong consequences. I want to bring my experience, my commitment to fairness, and my compassion to the bench to ensure that every child, family, and litigant who comes to court is treated with dignity, heard fully, and given a fair and thoughtful decision.

I ask for your vote on March 17 (punch #141) for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. My career has been devoted to public service, protecting vulnerable families, and upholding the rule of law with fairness and integrity. I will bring experience, compassion, and impartiality to the bench, and I would be honored to serve the people of Cook County.

Today is the last day to register for Thursday's Decalogue Judicial Reception

Reservations must be received by today, February 17, before 5:00 p.m., for this Thursday's Judicial Reception sponsored by the Decalogue Society.

The Thursday February 19 reception will be at the offices of Hinshaw & Culbertson, 151 N. Franklin, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The details are found in the event flyer, reproduced above. To register, click on this page of the Decalogue website.

Radiance Ward: In her own words

Radiance Ward is a candidate for the Balanoff vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit. Her punch number is 141.

My name is Radiance Ward and I am running for Judge in the 1st Judicial Subcircuit of the Circuit Court of Cook County and am seeking to fill the Balanoff vacancy.

I have been a trial attorney for 18 years. That’s what I do. But, I want to lead with who I am. I am a first-generation attorney from the South Side of Chicago. I am the daughter of a single mom, who worked incredibly hard, as a now-retired nurse, to ensure I had everything I needed to succeed. I come from a large family, so I never felt like an only child. My grandparents had 9 children, so I have over 30 first cousins, several of whom I grew up spending many a night and weekend with at my grandparents’ house on 93rd and Ada. I am a very proud product of Chicago Public Schools, an alum of McDade Classical School in Chatham and Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park. After graduating from Kenwood, a scholarship led me to Nashville, TN where I attended and graduated from Vanderbilt University. I enjoyed my years south of the Mason Dixon, but right after college, I came home to pursue my dreams of becoming an attorney. As a result, in 2007, I became the first person in my family to earn a graduate degree when I graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

From the start, my career has been dedicated to public service, in both the nonprofit and government sectors. Upon graduating from law school, I landed a position at at LifeSpan, a nonprofit which provides family law representation for survivors of domestic violence. There, I represented survivors in order of protection hearings, divorce matters, and child custody hearings. This fueled my passion for standing beside individuals during their most vulnerable moments and being the voice and advocate they deserved as they navigated the, often-intimidating, legal system.

After LifeSpan, I pivoted to the Office of the Chief Judge in the Mortgage Foreclosure section of the Chancery Division. During the height of the recession, I helped homeowners going through foreclosure proceedings navigate the court process with the hopes of retaining ownership of their homes.

After my tenure in that department, I moved to my current professional home, the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender where I have served for the past 13 years. Currently, I am an Assistant Public Defender on the homicide task force. Over the course of my years in the office, however, I have served as lead counsel on cases ranging from misdemeanor to juvenile delinquency and general felonies. Just like my role at LifeSpan, it has been such a weighty, but fulfilling privilege to represent those most vulnerable among us.

In addition to my role at the public defender’s office, I have been an adjunct professor of law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law since 2013, teaching Intensive Trial Practice and coaching in the mock trial program.

As a true South Sider, my heart is forever nestled in the communities and people who make up where I am from. Outside of my professional endeavors, I am passionate about using my time, skills, and resources for the betterment of our community. I am a board member of InspireHer Chicago, a South Side-based mentoring program for inner-city teen girls whose mission is to empower the next generation of bold, brilliant young women. In addition, I annually volunteer for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which collects Christmas gifts for children with incarcerated parents.

I have been a member of AFSCME - Local 3315 for the past 13 years, serving on the executive board for the last 3 years. There, I have fought for the rights of my union brothers and sisters in the bargaining room just as I fight for the rights of my clients in the courtroom. I am also a very proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where service and social action are at the heart of our initiatives and programming.

I am running for judge to deepen my commitment of service in Chicago, the city that raised me. In my nearly two decades of public service through law, if I’ve learned nothing else, I’ve learned that a case is more than just a collection of facts. Every single case involves actual people whose lives will be incredibly impacted by their experience at the two tables across from the bench and in the gallery of loved ones behind them. I know, first hand, how much fair and compassionate judges can influence that impact. I am running to be the judge who administers the law as fair, soundly, and compassionately as possible. Remember me, Radiance Ward, this Election Day, March 17, 2026. Punch 141!

February 18 fundraiser for Judge Michael Cabonargi

Supporters of Judge Michael Cabonargi's countywide judicial campaign are holding a fundraiser for their candidate this Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Double Clutch Brewing Co., 2121 Ashland Ave., Evanston.

Details concerning the event, including available sponsorships, are set out in the event flyer above. Tickets and sponsorships can be obtained at this ActBlue link. For further information, or questions about the event, contact eric@blueprintcampaignconsulting.com.

Alliance grids released for Cook County judicial candidates seeking subcircuit vacancies

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening have just about completed their review of the credentials of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary. The Alliance would have also attempted to review the credentials of any candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary -- but there are no Republican candidates.

This post covers Alliance ratings for subcircuit candidates. Click here for FWIW's earlier post on Alliance ratings of countywide judicial candidates.

Every Cook County voter lives in one of the 20 subcircuits. Not all subcircuits have vacancies to fill in 2026. Many of these vacancies are uncontested. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. No choices.
The ratings issued by each of the bar associations that together comprise the Alliance are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. (I'll give you the full names of all 13 if you stay with me until the end here.) The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

Readers will note that some of the squares in the grids are blank. That means that the candidate in question has not yet received a rating from that particular Alliance member. FWIW expects to have updated grids between now and the Feast of St. Patrick.

Alright, then, with these preliminaries concluded, herewith the Alliance ratings for Cook County subcircuit candidates (click to enlarge or clarify the images):

The 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

Alliance grids released for countywide judicial candidates

The casual voter will happen upon this post, read through it, and wonder: Where are all the candidates?

This is it, folks. (All the countywide judicial candidates, anyway. We'll get to the subcircuit candidates in the next post -- but a word of caution to you, Mr. or Ms. Casual Voter: If you live in Cook County, you live in but one of 20 Subcircuits. You may have one vacancy to fill in your subcircuit; you may have none. If you live in the 13th Subcircuit, you will find four vacancies... but only four candidates. No choices. Also: Every single one of the candidates seeking judgeships in Cook County in 2026 is doing so in a Democratic Primary. There is not one Republican candidate. There is no 'two party system' here.)

Let's start with the one and only candidate for the Hoffman vacancy on the Illinois Appellate Court, namely, Judge Judith C. Rice. Here are her Alliance ratings:

The ratings issued by each of the 13 bar associations that together comprise the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are found in the hieroglyphics beneath the abbrieviated names of the member bar groups. (I'll give you the full names of all 13 if you stay with me until the end here.) The Alliance provides a ratings key so that you may decipher the meanings of these hieroglyphics. Here it is:

Still with me? Alright, then, herewith the sparse crop of countywide candidates for vacancies on the Circuit Court of Cook County and their Alliance ratings (click to enlarge or clarify the images):

By the way, my grousing about the minuscule number of candidates is not meant to infer or suggest anything negative about any of these persons individually. It strikes me, however, that the failure of more candidates to step forward and seek these vacancies may indicate that something is terribly wrong with our political process generally and, quite possibly, with our judicial system in particular. Why don't more people want to serve as judges? Why aren't more people willing to declare themselves as candidates? These are questions for a different day, but these are questions that must be asked. And answered.

Meanwhile, you've been patient with me and made it to the end of this post. Therefore, as promised, the 13 members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening are the Arab American Bar Association (AABAR), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA), the Black Men Lawyers’ Association (BMLA), the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL), the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL), the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA), the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), all working collaboratively to improve the process of screening judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois.

CBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA 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 CBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13-20. The CBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. A post on the CBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 1-11 can be found at this link.

13th Subcircuit

Curry, Jr. Vacancy

ROBERT “BOB” GROEBNER - QUALIFIED

Robert Groebner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Groebner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for his entire career. He has had many assignments, including as a misdemeanor and felony trial assistant. For the past 11 years, he has been assigned to preliminary hearings, bond court, and pre-trial release hearings. Mr. Groebner is well respected by judges whom he appears before, colleagues and adversaries. He has substantial trial and litigation experience and has a strong knowledge of criminal law and the research skills to learn new areas. He is also noted for his good demeanor and temperament.

M. Kelley Vacancy

BRITTANY MICHELLE PEDERSON - QUALIFIED

Brittany Michelle Pedersen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Pedersen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. She is currently a trial attorney focusing primarily on criminal defense, representing individuals charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses. She is highly regarded for her commitment to pro bono service and active community involvement. Ms. Pedersen possesses a solid foundation of trial and legal experience and is well-respected for her legal ability, diligence, and demeanor.

T. Kelley Vacancy

WILLIAM F. KELLEY - QUALIFIED

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 [Kelley's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

O'Malley Vacancy

DAN NARANJO - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Naranjo's appointment to the bench in mid-2025 - Ed.) Dan Naranjo is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Naranjo was admitted to practice law in Florida in 1997 and in Illinois in 1998. He joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office in 2000. He has handled misdemeanor and felony matters and is currently assigned to the Multiple Defendant Division. Mr. Naranjo is respected by lawyers and judges before whom he has appeared for his calm demeanor, legal knowledge and diligence. Daniel Naranjo is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

JULIAN SANCHEZ CROZIER - QUALIFIED

Julian Sanchez Crozier is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Crozier was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2013. He worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for five years. He has been a partner at Ciesielski, Soukaras, and Crozier Law, LLC for seven years handling criminal defense. Mr. Crozier has considerable trial experience in both civil and criminal courts. He is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, demeanor and temperament, and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mendoza Vacancy

JESSICA KARINA VELEZ - NOT RECOMMENDED

Jessica Karina Velez is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Velez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2012. She is currently the Deputy General Counsel at the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Prior to that, she worked at two tort defense firms. The Committee was impressed with the candidate’s integrity, diligence, judicial temperament, and punctuality as well as her dedication to the legal community. However, the candidate is not a seasoned litigator with the depth of complex litigation experience that is required to be a judge. The Committee believes that the candidate can reach the level of experience required with more trial experience.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

NATALIA MOORE - NOT RECOMMENDED

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.

MERIDTH HAMMER - NOT RECOMMENDED

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.

Carroll Vacancy

AMARI DAWSON - NOT RECOMMENDED

Amari Dawson 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.

BIANCA B. BROWN - QUALIFIED

Bianca B. Brown is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Brown was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She spent 14 years working at public agencies, including the City of Chicago, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the CTA. She is now in private practice. Ms. Brown has been extremely active in bar association activities and has demonstrated a commitment to public service. She has vast trial experience, and is knowledgeable, even-handed, and well suited to serve as a judge.

ANDRÉ THAPEDI - NOT RECOMMENDED

André Thapedi 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.

18th Subcircuit

Chrones Vacancy

JUAN PONCE DE LEON - QUALIFIED

Juan Ponce de Leon is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ponce de Leon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He has 15 years of experience with the Cook County Office of the Public Defender, where he was initially assigned to child protection for three years, followed by two years in juvenile justice, and for the last 10 years he has been assigned to felony courtrooms. He is well respected for his integrity, excellent temperament, and knowledge of the law.

Andreou Vacancy

SAM BAE - QUALIFIED

Sam Bae is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bae was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999. He is currently a solo practitioner whose general practice concentrates in personal injury, family law, business litigation and civil litigation. He is well respected for his legal knowledge, integrity, diligence and fine temperament.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

SARA MCGANN - QUALIFIED

Sara McGann is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McGann was admitted to practice law in 2009. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County assigned to the Appeals Division. Ms. McGann is committed to public service. She is well respected for her demeanor and knowledge of the law and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service as a Cook County Judge.

Kane Vacancy

MONICA SOMERVILLE - QUALIFIED

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.

JOHN HARKINS - NOT RECOMENDED

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.

DAVE CONDRON - QUALIFIED

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.

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

MICHAEL J. ZINK - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Zink's appointment to the bench in late 2024 - Ed.) Michael J. Zink is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Zink was admitted to practice law in November 2004. Mr. Zink is currently in private practice. The candidate has extensive legal experience, his references praise his temperament, and he has a strong history of performing community service. Mr. Zink is qualified to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Miller Vacancy

JON STROMSTA - QUALIFIED

Jon Stromsta is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stromsta was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985. Mr. Stromsta worked in private practice with a focus on civil litigation and appeals, family law, and criminal defense. He is currently an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Employment Security, where he conducts benefit appeals, evidentiary hearings, drafts decisions and review hearings, and prepares opinions for the Board of Review. He is well regarded for his temperament and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

BELLE KATUBIG - QUALIFIED

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 [Katubig's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

CBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA 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 CBA's narrative explanations of subcircuit judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1-11. The CBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. A post on the CBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 13-20 will follow later today.

1st Subcircuit

Balanoff Vacancy

RADIANCE WARD - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Radiance Ward is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ward was admitted to practice law in 2007. She began her career as a solo practitioner handling family law cases, before joining a Legal Aid group helping victims of domestic violence. She subsequently worked for the Cook County Circuit Court as a staff attorney. For the past 12 years, Ms. Ward has been an Assistant Public Defender, working her way up the ranks to where she now primarily handles murder cases at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building. She also is an adjunct Professor at Loyola and coaches a mock trial team. Ms. Ward is highly respected for her integrity, courtroom experience, legal knowledge, and her ability to empathize with litigants.

NATALIE L. HOWSE - NOT RECOMMENDED

Natalie L. Howse 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.

Walker Vacancy

ASHLEY GREER SHAMBLEY - QUALIFIED

Ashley Shambley is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Shambley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2010. She has over 14 years of experience as a public defender, handling complex homicide cases. Ms. Shambley is actively involved in her community and various charities and has a deep level of commitment to public service. She is respected for her integrity, knowledge of the law, and excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

GINGER ODOM - QUALIFIED

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 [Odom's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

TIFFANY BROOKS - NOT RECOMMENDED

Tiffany Brooks 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.

3rd Subcircuit

Murphy Vacancy

JOHN CARROLL - QUALIFIED

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 [Carroll's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

Sherlock Vacancy

MARTIN DOUGLAS REGGI - NOT RECOMMENDED

Martin Douglas Reggi is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Reggi has practiced law since 1990. Most of his experience is in criminal defense, although he has recently done some civil work. The Committee has concerns about Mr. Reggi’s organizational skills and whether he could manage a call and listen to evidence and arguments and organize facts properly to analyze them and apply the law.

RACHEL MARRELLO - NOT RECOMMENDED

Rachel S. Marrello is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Marrello was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000. Currently, she is employed by Cook County Health as in-house labor and employment counsel. Ms. Marrello is articulate, has excellent demeanor, and works well with people. She has handled many intricate aspects of public administration. She served as an elected suburban school board member for four years. Although Ms. Marrello handled simple arbitrations and assisted with litigation matters early in her career, she has never tried a case and lacks the trial court experience required to serve as a Circuit Judge.

5th Subcircuit

Ross Vacany

STEPHANIE S. KELLY - NOT RECOMMENDED

Stephanie S. Kelly 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.

8th Subcircuit

Gamrath Vacancy

KATHLEEN CUNNIFF ORI - QUALIFIED

Kathleen Cunniff Ori is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ori was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. She began her legal career as a law clerk initially for Judge Michael M. Mihm of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois and then for Judge William J. Bauer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She then was in private practice prior to joining the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where she currently serves as Deputy Supervisor in Labor and Employment. Ms. Ori is committed to community service and is highly regarded for her integrity, legal knowledge and trial experience, and temperament. She possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

ELIZABETH CHRISTINA DIBLER - QUALIFIED

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 [Dibler's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

GARSON FISCHER - QUALIFIED

Garson Fischer is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fischer was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been an attorney in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office since 2005. He currently serves as Deputy Chief for Criminal Appeals. Mr. Fischer possesses extensive knowledge of criminal law and demonstrates a calm and thoughtful temperament. He presents as intelligent, articulate, and carries himself with professionalism. His demeanor is well suited for the bench. Mr. Fischer possesses the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.

Mikva Vacancy

LESTER FINKLE - QUALIFIED

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.

DAN BALANOFF - NOT RECOMMENDED

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.

KATHERINE CAROLE MORRISON - QUALIFIED

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.

11th Subcircuit

Meyerson Vacancy

JARRETT KNOX - QUALIFIED

Jarrett M. Knox is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Knox was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. His practice has had a primary focus in public guardianship and child protection. He is held in high regard by his adversaries, particularly for his integrity and professional demeanor. His ability to remain calm, balanced, and measured in emotionally charged cases involving minors, abuse, and neglect underscores his strong judicial temperament and makes him exceptionally well suited for service on the Circuit Court bench.

JOHN R. CARROZZA - QUALIFIED

John R. Carrozza is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Judge. Mr. Carrozza was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. He has been practicing law in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, breach of contract, mechanic’s lien, probate and real estate. He has a strong devotion to public service, as evidenced by his involvement in volunteer efforts that benefit the disadvantaged and people with disabilities. He is well respected by judges, colleagues, and adversaries for his legal knowledge and ability.

Roberts Vacancy

KIM PRZEKOTA - QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Przekota's appointment to the bench in early 2025 - Ed.) Kimberly Przekota is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Judge. Ms. Przekota was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2008. Since then, she has been an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and is currently a first chair Assistant in a felony courtroom, trying serious felonies including homicide. She has considerable practice experience and is highly regarded by her adversaries and judges before whom she has appeared. Ms. Przekota is well regarded for her professionalism, even in highly charged, emotional matters.

CBA releases narrative explanations of its ratings of countywide judicial candidates

The Chicago Bar Association has released narrative explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary.

The CBA 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 CBA's evaluations of countywide judicial candidates. Subsequent posts will look at the CBA's evaluations of judicial candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11 and Subcircuits 13 to 20.

We begin here with the CBA's evaluation of the only Appellate Court candidate:

JUDITH C. RICE - QUALIFIED

Judge C. Judith Rice is "Qualified" for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Rice was admitted to practice law in 1988. She has been a judge since 2014. Judge Rice is the Acting Presiding Judge of the Domestic Violence Division. Prior to becoming a judge, she served in executive positions at BMO Harris Bank, was the Chicago City Treasurer, served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago, and as a prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's office. Judge Rice is well regarded for her integrity, temperament, work ethic and diligence.

Countywide Vacancies

Burke Vacancy

STEVEN Q. McKENZIE – QUALIFIED

Steven Q. McKenzie is “Qualified” for the office of circuit court judge. Mr. Mckenzie was admitted to practice law in illinois in 1997. Since 2006, he has been a supervising assistant corporation counsel, primarily dealing with housing and building code issues. He has also been involved in writing proposed legislation regarding those issues. His references were uniformly positive, noting that as a prosecutor he focused less on technical violations and more on achieving remedies that promoted public safety. Although the majority of his professional experience has been in a niche area of practice, we find that he possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as Circuit Court Judge.

Cobbs Vacancy

LUZ MARIA TOLEDO - QUALIFIED

Luz Toledo is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Toledo was admitted to practice in 2006. She is an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney assigned to the Real Estate and Tax Litigation Division. She previously served in the Appeals Division and spent 12 years prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases. Ms. Toledo is well-respected for her legal knowledge and ability, as well as her calm temperament and demeanor.

LINDA SACKEY - QUALIFIED

Judge Linda Sackey is "Qualified" for the office of circuit court judge. Judge Sackey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and has served on the bench since January 2025. Prior to her appointment, she had a diverse array of legal experience including in private practice and in the Illinois attorney general's office. Immediately prior to her judicial appointment, she clerked for Illinois supreme court justice Mary Jane Theis. Judge Sackey is well regarded for her legal knowledge and ability and her excellent demeanor and calm temperament.

Coghlan Vacancy

ASHONTA C. RICE - QUALIFIED

Ashonta C. Rice is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Rice was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. She began her career in the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office where she served for three years. For the last 18 years, she has been in private practice primarily in the areas of family law, child protection litigation, and guardianship. She possesses the litigation experience along with the temperament and demeanor necessary to serve effectively as a Circuit Court Judge.

MICHAEL CABONARGI - QUALIFIED

Michael Carbonargi is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Carbonargi was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. He has a broad range of high-level legal experience and is currently serving as Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Carbonargi is well respected for his legal knowledge, his calm and professional demeanor and his integrity. He possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Hooks Vacancy

AVA GEORGE STEWART - QUALIFIED

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 [Stewart's] current Circuit Court Judge candidacy.

Karkula Vacancy

D’ANTHONY “TONY” THEDFORD - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

(This rating was issued before Judge Thedford's appointment to the bench in late 2024 -- Ed.) D'Anthony “Tony” Thedford is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Thedford was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997. Mr. Thedford began his practice as a Cook County Public Defender and is currently in private practice. He has extensive experience in both criminal and civil litigation. He has demonstrated strong legal experience in his trial work as well as the variety of substantive legal areas he has litigated. Mr. Thedford is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, work ethic, diligence, and fine demeanor.

Michael Cabonargi: In his own words

Michael Cabonargi is a candidate for the countywide Coghlan vacancy. His punch number is 136.

I am honored to serve as a Circuit Court Judge following my nomination by Justice Joy Cunningham and the unanimous approval of the Illinois State Supreme Court. All 13 bar associations that evaluated my candidacy rated me Qualified, Highly Qualified or Recommended. I am also honored to be endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Citizen Action Illinois, and AMVotePAC, among other organizations.

Now I am asking voters to keep me on the bench.

I am a first-generation Italian American from Highwood, Illinois. My 18 year old father came here from Italy and my mother was born on an Iowa farm. I'm the first in my family to attend law school. Working since I was 15 and growing up with immigrant values and empathy taught me that systems should serve people, not create barriers, and that everyone deserves a fair chance.

My background shaped my commitment to accessible justice. I understand what it means to navigate unfamiliar systems without connections or resources. Early in my career, I clerked for U.S. District Court Judge William Hibbler, where I witnessed how the legal system impacts everyday people. This inspired me to create the Judge Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program Help Desk in Illinois’ Northern District---the first of its kind—earning me the Federal Bar Association's Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Throughout my career, from prosecuting financial fraud at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to leading the Cook County Board of Review (BOR), I've fought for those who systems often overlook. At the BOR, I transformed a 100% paper based, English-only agency into a multilingual digital system, holding over 250 community outreaches, reaching more than 1.5 million residents. As Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, I proudly worked with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on expanding access to high quality health care for more new Americans and fought drug companies to lower the cost of the most prescribed and expensive drugs.

As a sitting Circuit Court Judge, I experience daily the profound responsibility of judicial power. Every decision I make impacts families' lives, homes, and futures, and I approach each case with deep awareness of that weight. I confront systemic inequity through deliberate action in my courtroom, including ensuring robust language access and clear explanations for self-represented litigants. I also exercise discretion in granting fee waivers and payment plans, recognizing that court costs can be barriers to justice.

I understand that neutrality isn't enough when the system itself is biased. My commitment to equal justice guided my career before the bench and continues to guide every decision I make now. Judges must actively work to ensure fair treatment for those whom the system has historically marginalized.

I believe in the power of the law to create a fair and equitable society for all. As a judge, I'm committed to upholding the rule of law with integrity and impartiality. I strive to ensure that everyone who comes before the court is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances, understanding that people often come to court facing difficult situations. It's crucial for the court to meet people where they are, but not leave them there.

I'm ready to continue to serve the people of Cook County with dedication and a commitment to fairness for all. I am honored by this incredible opportunity and ask for your vote on March 17.

Ashley Greer Shambley: In her own words

Ashley Greer Shambley is a candidate for the Walker vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit. Her punch number is 143.

Hello, my name is Ashley Greer Shambley, and I am running for Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in the First Judicial Subcircuit, seeking election to fill the Carl A. Walker vacancy.

I am running for judge because I care deeply about the people and communities our courts serve. I believe the justice system functions best when judges bring experience, fairness, and humanity to the bench. Courtroom decisions do not happen in isolation. They have real and lasting effects on families, neighborhoods, and the broader community. Courts should be places where the law is applied fairly, people are treated with dignity, and public trust is strengthened.

For more than fifteen years, I have practiced law in Cook County, spending the majority of my career as a public servant. I currently serve as an Assistant Public Defender in the Multiple Defendant Homicide Task Force Unit, where I have acted as lead trial attorney on a wide range of complex, high-stakes cases. These cases demand exhaustive preparation, mastery of the law and evidence, and the ability to make sound decisions under intense pressure.

Serving as lead counsel carries an enormous responsibility. Every strategic decision, from motions practice to jury selection, from witness examination to closing argument, can determine the outcome of a case and profoundly affect the lives of everyone involved. I have spent countless hours reviewing evidence, litigating difficult legal issues, and standing beside clients at the most vulnerable moments of their lives, fully aware that their liberty, their families, and their futures were in my hands. That responsibility has shaped my judgment, my discipline, and my respect for the power of the courtroom.

At the beginning of my legal career, I worked as an associate in the Law Offices of John F. Lyke, where I gained early exposure to courtroom practice and the importance of preparation and professionalism. I also spent time in the Civil Division of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, assigned to Child Protection matters, which reinforced the reality that judicial decisions can alter the course of families and children’s lives. While my practice has been largely trial-focused, these experiences broadened my understanding of the courts’ reach into everyday life.

As a public defender, I have had the privilege and responsibility of working with people at nearly every stage of life. I have represented young people just beginning to understand the legal system, parents trying to hold their families together, and older adults navigating some of the most difficult moments they will ever face. Meeting people where they are, listening to their stories, and understanding their circumstances has taught me how to engage with individuals on a meaningful level. This experience has deepened my empathy, strengthened my communication, and reinforced the importance of treating every person in the courtroom with patience and respect. These are qualities I believe are essential on the bench.

My passion for this work is rooted not only in professional experience, but also in personal history. In 2005, while visiting family on the South Side of Chicago, I witnessed a police raid that left a lasting impact on me. Officers entered the home by force, used racial slurs, pointed firearms at unarmed occupants, and severely beat a family member who was later hospitalized and charged. I was required to testify in court, where I was told that people from my community often do not appear because they are assumed to be criminals. At the time, I was an honor roll student at Howard University.

I returned to campus profoundly changed by that experience. If this could happen to me, with access to education, opportunity, and support, I questioned what was happening to others in my community who did not have the same chances or protections. That realization led me to change my academic path and commit myself to criminal defense work, grounded in dignity, due process, and the fair application of the law. That decision has guided my career ever since.

I am the first person in my family to attend college, let alone law school, and I carry that responsibility with pride. I am a graduate of Howard University and DePaul University College of Law, institutions that instilled in me a deep sense of service and accountability. I am also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, an organization rooted in scholarship, leadership, and service.

My commitment to public service extends beyond the courtroom. I previously served as General Counsel for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I currently serve as a board member of AFSCME Local 3315 and have been a union steward for more than thirteen years, advocating for fairness, accountability, and respectful resolution of disputes. I also serve as a board member of Imagine Englewood If, an organization dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and expanding opportunity.

Within the legal profession, I am deeply engaged in mentorship and leadership. I am a long-time member and current Co-Chair of the Government Lawyers Section of the Cook County Bar Association, a member of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and a member of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I also regularly train other attorneys on jury selection, the effective use of technology in trial practice, and the strategic use of expert witnesses. Teaching and mentoring others has reinforced the importance of preparation, clarity, and ethical advocacy.

I am also deeply invested in community education. I regularly teach Know Your Rights programs to youth, adults, and seniors because I believe knowledge promotes safety and trust. When people understand their rights and how the courts function, interactions with the justice system are more measured and less likely to escalate.

Throughout my career as a public defender, I have seen firsthand how courtroom decisions ripple outward, affecting not only the individual before the court, but their families, their children, and entire neighborhoods. As a public defender and a lifelong South Side resident, I have seen the lasting effects of court decisions up close and personal and how they shape families, neighborhoods, and the long-term stability of our communities. These experiences have reinforced my belief that judicial discretion must be exercised carefully, consistently, and with humility.

My judicial philosophy is grounded in fidelity to the law, respect for precedent, and fairness in application. Judges must decide cases based on the law and the facts presented, without fear or favor. At the same time, judges set the tone for the courtroom. Clear communication, consistency, and respect are essential to maintaining public confidence.

I am seeking this judgeship because I want to bring the skills I have honed as a public defender, including preparation, judgment, and the ability to engage people with empathy and respect, to better serve the community from the bench. I respect the seriousness of the role and the trust placed in judges by the public. If elected, I will approach every case with care, independence, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

I would be honored to earn the trust of the voters of the First Judicial Subcircuit and to serve as a judge who applies the law faithfully, treats every person with dignity, and strengthens the integrity of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Advocates Installation and Award Dinner February 26

Discounted tickets are available through Saturday, February 14 for the Advocates' February 26 Award and Installation Dinner at the Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel, 171 W. Randolph Street. At the dinner, the Advocates incoming officer slate will be installed and Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes will receive the Society's 2026 Award of Merit. The new slate of officers includes:

• Kathy E. Bojczuk, President,


• Roman Drewniak, First Vice President,


• Julia Jensen Smolka, Second Vice President,


• Judge Michele Gemskie, Third Vice President,


• Judge Alon Stein, Historian,


• Dr. Justyna Regan, Secretary, and


• Iwona Przonak Garcia, Treasurer.

Discounted tickets are $200 each for members, $250 for non-members. After Valentine's Day, the ticket prices increase to $250 for members, $300 for non-members.

Tickets and numerous sponsorship opportunities are available at this page of the Advocates Society website.

ISBA releases narrative explanations of ratings for Cook County judicial candidates in Subcircuits 13 to 20

Updated 2/11/26 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 subcircuit 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 13-20. The ISBA's narrative explanations for countywide candidates are covered in this post. For a look at the ISBA's narrative explanations of its ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 1 to 11, click here.

13th Subcircuit

Curry Vacancy

Robert “Bob” Groebner - Qualified

Robert Groebner has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since his admission to the Illinois bar in 1999. He is currently assigned to Preliminary Hearings/Bond Court in Skokie. He was previously assigned to the same position at Belmont & Western in 2014. Previously, he worked a felony court at 26th Street, various misdemeanor courts, Child Sex Crimes, and Child Support courts. He has taken CLE classes in a variety of subjects, including DEI issues.

Mr. Groebner is an active member of Stein Collectors International. He volunteers at St. Peter Luthern Church and the Buddy Foundation, an animal shelter. He is a current member of the Cook County, Northwest Suburban and Hellenic Bar associations.

Mr. Groebner’s legal knowledge was praised as he is regarded as the “go to” guy for issues. He is known to be sensitive and empathetic to litigants. In his current position, he has made use of diversionary programs to avoid criminal outcomes. He is calm, even-tempered and respectful. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Robert “Bob” Groebner qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Martin C. Kelley Vacancy

Brittany Michelle Pedersen – Not Qualified

Brittany Pedersen has been licensed since 2009. After spending three years with the Kane County Public Defender, she entered private practice, both as a solo practitioner and with various firms, in the areas of criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, real estate and contracts. Since 2020 she has been a solo practitioner with Pedersen and Irvin, with offices in St. Charles and Elgin. She does have jury and bench trial experience, almost entirely in Kane County. She has been a guest lecturer at Aurora University, a board member and former officer of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and a member of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce. She previously ran for judge twice in the 16th subcircuit, Kane County.

She is described by other attorneys and judges as passionate and intelligent, with knowledge of the law and legal process. The investigation raised concerns about the lack of practice in Cook County courts; in addition, the Committee had concerns about a prior judicial evaluation in Kane County. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Brittany Michelle Pedersen not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Thomas J. Kelley Vacancy

William F. Kelley – Qualified

William F. Kelley was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1980. He has practiced the vast majority of his career with various iterations of his current firm, Kelley, Kelley, & Kelley. he started as an associate handling minor criminal/traffic, personal injury, and commercial issues. As a partner, he handled PI, workman's compensation, tax, and estate issues. Since 2009, he has been senior managing partner; he describes his current practice as: probate/estate, 45%, business law 23%, tax law 10%, with 23% being business or commercial litigation. He lists CLEs on a variety of topics.

Mr. Kelley is very engaged with community activities. He is past president and a board member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. He was a past president and board member of Rotary International. He is currently a trustee of Harper College. Lawyers and judges acknowledged his wide range of legal knowledge. He is said to be sensitive to diversity issues. He is described as 'even keeled' and calm. The Illinois State Bar Association finds William F. Kelley qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

O'Malley Vacancy

Dan Naranjo – Qualified

Daniel Naranjo was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. Effective June 5, 2025, he was appointed to the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Shannon P. O’Malley. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Naranjo served in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender.

Judge Naranjo’s present assignment is at the Domestic Violence Courthouse. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Dan Naranjo qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

16th Subcircuit

Baird Vacancy

Julian Sanchez Crozier – Qualified

Julian Sanchez Crozier was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2013. Though not actively practicing he was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 2018 and was involved in several cases during his time in private practice. Since 2018, Mr. Crozier has been with Ciesielski, Soukaras & Crozier Law in Chicago as attorney/partner with concentrations in drivers’ license reinstatement, real estate, personal injury, and criminal defense in state court. From 2013 to 2018 he was with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office – Child Enforcement Division.

Mr. Crozier is a member of various bar associations and has been active in community organizations. Attorneys praise his professionalism, fairness, patience, and respectfulness.

The Illinois State Bar Association finds Julian Sanchez Crozier qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mendoza Vacancy

Jessica Karina Velez – Not Qualified

Jessica Karina Velez was admitted to the Illinois bar 2012. Since September 2023, she has been Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the State Comptroller, where she oversees Freedom of Information Act requests and oversees assistant attorney generals who handle litigation for the Comptroller’s Office. Prior to her current position, she handled general tort cases at Johnson and Bell. She handled one civil jury trial as lead counsel and one as assisting counsel. She has been a committee chair for the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and also a board member for that bar association’s charity. She is also a Regional Commissioner for the Hispanic National Bar Association, and coached moot court for several years. She also served as chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at her former firm.

Attorneys consider Mr. Velez to be bright and quick to grasp legal concepts, diligent and calm. Concerns were raised about the limited nature of her litigation experience and the depth and breadth of her legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jessica Karina Velez not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

17th Subcircuit

Brooks Vacancy

Natalia Moore – Not Recommended

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.

Meridth Hammer – Not Qualified

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.

Carroll Vacancy

Amari Dawson – Not Recommended

Amari Dawson declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Public records indicate that Ms. Dawson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005 and is with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Amari Dawson is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Bianca B. Brown – Qualified

Bianca Brjhett Brown was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. Prior to her current position as a senior associate with Pretzel & Stouffer since April 2025 where she is a trial attorney, she has worked for the Chicago Transit Authority as a Chief Attorney, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division, the City of Chicago as an Assistant Corporation Counsel, and as a solo practitioner concentrating on criminal defense and family law.

Ms. Brown is praised for her legal knowledge and grasp of the issues. She has served for nine years on the Hearing Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and is currently a member of the Board of Governors for the Illinois State Bar Association. She is described as professional, a person of integrity, and sensitive to diversity and bias. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Bianca B. Brown qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

André Thapedi – Not Recommended

Public records indicate that André Thapedi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. From 2009 to 2021 he was a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing Auburn, Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Ashburn, Chatham, West Englewood, and portions of Justice and Hickory Hills.

Mr. Thapedi declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, André Thapedi is not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

18th Subcircuit

Andreou Vacancy

Sam Bae – Qualified

Samuel Bae was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999; since 2000 he has maintained his own practice, mainly in domestic relations, personal injury and commercial litigation. He is a member of several bar associations, most actively as a volunteer with the Korean American Women In Need program. He co-authored a review of the legal and practical issues of sexual harassment.

References praised Mr. Bae for his temperament, diligence and impartiality. Attorneys reported that he is impartial, courteous and diligent, with good legal knowledge. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Sam Bae qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Chrones Vacancy

Juan Ponce de Leon – Qualified

Juan Francisco Ponce de Leon was admitted to the Illinois bar in November of 2009. For the past ten years he has been a criminal defense attorney with the Office of the Cook County Public Defender currently assigned to the Third District (Rolling Meadows). Prior to this, he worked in the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Divisions.

Colleagues and opposing counsel report that Mr. Ponce de Leon has great legal knowledge and negotiates properly for his clients. He is praised for being professional, even-keeled and good with difficult situations. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Juan Ponce de Leon qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

19th Subcircuit

Fairman Vacancy

Sara McGann – Not Qualified

Sara Ann McGann was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2009. After spending her career as an Assistant State’s Attorney, in July of 2025, she was appointed to the Circuit Court to fill the resident judgeship formerly held by Judge John A. Fairman who was elected to a different subcircuit. After an initial assignment in Traffic Division in First Municipal, she was assigned to the Sixth District (Markham) in January of 2026.

Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge McGann served in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2009. She was a briefing supervisor in the Criminal Appeals Division and managed Drug and Mental Health Treatment Courts. Previous to that assignment she had worked in various treatment and diversion courts at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Fifth District (Bridgeview) and the Sixth District).

Attorneys reported that she is professional, intelligent and current on legal issues. There were concerns about the depth and breadth of her recent legal experience. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Sara McGann not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Kane Vacancy

Monica G. Somerville – Not Qualified

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.

John Harkins – Not Recommended

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.

Dave Condron – Qualified

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.

20th Subcircuit

Haracz Vacancy

Michael J. Zink – Qualified

Michael J. Zink was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. In December 2024 he was appointed to fill the vacancy of the retirement of Judge David Haracz. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Zink had twenty years of experience in private practice having served as an equity partner and associate at Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells. He has been published extensively in legal journals and newsletters and presented CLE programs for the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Judge Zink’s present assignment is in First Municipal in a non-jury civil room where, among other matters, hears cases involving personal injury, subrogation, property damage, landlord/tenant, credit card debt, and breach of contract. Additionally, he fills in whenever there is a shortage of judges. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Michael J. Zink qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Miller Vacancy

Jon Stromsta – Qualified

Jon Karl Stromsta was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. In addition to his position with the Illinois Department of Employment Security as an Administrative Law Judge since 2022, he is a Panel Arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. From 2010 to 2024, he was a partner with the Enterprise Law Group in Northfield with concentration in civil and criminal defense litigation and appellate practice. From 2008 to 2010 he practiced family law and general civil litigation and criminal defense at Pasulka & Associates.

From 2004 to 2008 he was with the Office of the State Appellate Defender – Capital Litigation Division / Post Conviction Unit. Mr. Stromsta is praised for his legal knowledge and ability and character and temperament. The Illinois State Bar Association finds Jon Stromsta qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Belle Katubig - Qualified

Belle Lourdes Katubig was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. She has been with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2018 representing the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Health. She does have jury trial experience, has been a speaker on legal issues, and is a member of various bar associations and community groups. She has also served on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Committee on Professional Responsibility.

Respondents spoke highly of Ms. Katubig’s legal knowledge and ability, her sensitivity to diversity and bias, her character, impartiality and integrity, and her temperament. The Illinois State Bar Associations finds Belle Katubig qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.