Judicial Elections Archives

An illustration of judges and judicial candidates

2024 Retention

We want to hear about your experiences with these Cook County judges

More than 75 Cook County judges are running to keep their seats this November. If you’ve interacted with any of them, we want to hear from you.

by Injustice Watch Staff July 11, 2024July 12, 2024

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham next to a large blue sign that reads "Support our Ward neighbor Joy Cunningham" and "46th Ward Proud"

2024 Primary

Democratic Party’s slate sweeps countywide judicial races

In a primary with historically low turnout, the most controversial candidates in subcircuits lost out to those with stronger reviews from fellow lawyers.

by Dan Hinkel March 20, 2024April 11, 2024

Judicial Elections

Name-change law used to target women running for judge

Ashonta C. Rice’s name was removed from the Cook County ballot under a 2007 law intended to prevent candidates from using name changes to deceive voters. She’s not the first, and some say the law has been used as a political weapon against female candidates instead.

by Grace Asiegbu March 14, 2024March 18, 2024

Deidre Baumann walks past a large campaign sign that reads "Deidre Baumann for judge 2024, 7th subcircuit: The Voice for Equal Justice" in huge letters.

2024 Primary

A perennial candidate pins her hopes on her sixth run for judge

Deidre Baumann has spent more than a decade trying to become a Cook County judge. Here’s why she thinks this race, for a seat in the 7th Subcircuit, will be different.

by Kelly Garcia March 12, 2024March 12, 2024

A split-screen image of two candidates for judge. On the bottom left side of the image is a woman in a winter hat with campaign mailers. On the other side is a man in a baseball hat that reads "Steve Demitro for Judge" smiling.

2024 Primary

In a hyper-local judicial race, questions about what counts as community representation

Judicial subcircuits were created to increase community representation. 30 years later, it is still unclear what representation means.

by Maya Dukmasova and Alejandra Cancino March 12, 2024March 12, 2024

Judicial Elections

Where to find a print copy of our March 2024 Cook County judicial election guide

We printed 120,000 copies of our judicial election guide and are partnering with other newsrooms, community organizations, local businesses, and civic do-gooders to distribute them across Cook County. Here’s where to find one near you.

by Injustice Watch Staff March 11, 2024March 18, 2024

2024 Primary

A notorious Chicago cop wants to become a Cook County judge

Chicago Police Lt. John D. Poulos is running for Cook County judge in a crowded subcircuit race on the North Side. Standing in his way is a tarnished track record that experts say calls his credibility into question.

by Carlos Ballesteros March 4, 2024March 4, 2024

A prosecutor standing up and pointing her finger at a defendant sitting behind a table.

2024 Primary

High-ranking Cook County prosecutor jumps into race for judge

Risa Lanier, second-in-command to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, has been central to the office’s heater cases and controversies. Now, she’s running in the 19th Subcircuit after failing to win Democratic Party support for a countywide bid.

by Dan Hinkel February 26, 2024February 26, 2024

2024 Primary

March 2024 Cook County judicial election guide

Injustice Watch’s comprehensive, nonpartisan guide to the 2024 Cook County judicial primary elections.

by Injustice Watch Staff February 21, 2024November 20, 2024

Two judges standing at the front of a room, one of them has a microphone in his hand.

2024 Primary

Questions of race and ethnicity in Illinois Supreme Court race highlight diversity of the Latinx experience

The race is showcasing ideological differences within the Latinx community about what it means to be Latinx and what it looks like to have representation in the judiciary.

by Alejandra Cancino February 19, 2024February 22, 2024

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