Judicial Elections Archives

Sketch of fresh flowers sitting on an empty judge's bench with an American flag and Illinois state flag in the background.

2024 Retention

Reporter’s Notebook: Snapshots from watching 8 Cook County judges at work

As part of our research for our judicial election guide, I observed judges at Cook County’s main criminal courthouse. Here is some of what I saw.

by Maya Dukmasova October 24, 2024October 23, 2024

2024 Retention

Bar groups reconsider ratings of powerful Cook County judge, citing Injustice Watch report

Running for retention Nov. 5, Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. faces criticism from two prominent bar groups after disclosures of inappropriate tax exemptions he took on a house in Will County. Since the Injustice Watch report earlier this month, the veteran judge moved to rescind the tax breaks.

by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

Stacks of Injustice Watch's judicial election guides

2024 Retention

Where to find print copies of our November judicial election guide

We printed 150,000 copies of our judicial election guide for the November 2024 retention election. Here’s where you can find a copy.

by Injustice Watch Staff October 16, 2024October 30, 2024

Illustration of a judge holding a gavel with the city of Chicago on his shoulders with the words "Check your judges" in the sky.

2024 Retention

November 2024 Cook County Judicial Election Guide

Injustice Watch’s guide to the November 2024 Cook County judicial retention elections.

by Injustice Watch Staff October 8, 2024November 20, 2024

2024 Retention

Judges aiming to keep seats in November include some with notable records

Despite tax debts, arrests, and residency questions, judges running for retention in Cook County have drawn little attention and run a quiet — at times evasive — campaign.

by Dan Hinkel October 8, 2024October 7, 2024

A judge mowing the lawn in front of a suburban house in his judicial robes.

2024 Retention

Two Cook County judges claim homestead exemptions in Will County

One of the judges says he is living apart from his wife, who still lives there; and the other, the presiding judge of the First Municipal District, declined to answer questions. The law requires judges to live in the jurisdiction they serve.

by Kelly Garcia and David Jackson October 2, 2024October 8, 2024

Illustration of Cook County Circuit Judge Ieshia Gray in the style of a courtroom sketch. She's a Black woman with shoulder-length black hair and she's wearing her black judge's robes and a pearl necklace and sitting in a high-backed chair.

2024 Retention

Cook County retention judge under investigation over dispute with attorney

Cook County Judge Ieshia Gray is being accused of bias and unfair treatment by an attorney, after she repeatedly denied his requests for a new judge.

by Alejandra Cancino September 26, 2024October 5, 2024

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

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