Cook County Judicial Primary Election March 2018 Articles

2020 Retention

Chicago mayor’s support of Judge Michael Toomin leaves juvenile justice advocates ‘disappointed’

Judge Michael Toomin and Mayor Lori Lightfoot say his critics are playing politics. Reformers say the lives and futures of Cook County children are at stake.

by John Seasly and Adeshina Emmanuel October 20, 2020January 8, 2024

Associate Judges

No African American candidates chosen as Cook County judges add 16 to bench

Cook County’s new group of associate judges includes candidates whose backgrounds are Greek, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, and more. But not one of the 16 judges already selected are African-American. The 17th seat, still to be filled, will go to one of two black men — leaving black women excluded.

by Mari Cohen May 23, 2018December 5, 2023

Associate Judges

Five who lost Cook County judicial primary earn new path to bench

The 16 new Cook County associate judges announced by the state court system on Monday include five who had lost primary elections at the polling place in March. But a vote by the county’s circuit judges has rewarded them with seats on the bench in any event.

by Mari Cohen May 21, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary, Associate Judges, Judicial Elections

Eight appointed judges get second chances at judicial vacancies

Eight appointed Cook County judges who lost their primary electoral bids for longer-term seats on the bench last March may get another chance at one of 17 vacant judicial seats this spring. They have been named finalists for associate judge vacancies.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang April 18, 2018January 29, 2024

A sign advertises Jeanne Marie Wrenn's campaign for Cook County Circuit Court in 2018.

2018 Primary

Cook County judicial voters reject old habits, disfavor poorly rated candidates

It was not business-as-usual in the Cook County judicial primaries last week. Candidates with blemishes on their record were disfavored by voters. Judges already serving by appointment, or candidates who came out of the prosecutors’ office, found those perceived advantages did not sway voters. And Latinos seemed to gain strength at the expense of the traditional dominance of Irish names.

by Mari Cohen and Olivia Stovicek March 27, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Early morning report: Cook County judicial races, 2018

Early morning returns offer hope: Voters appeared to favor judicial candidates without blemishes

by Injustice Watch Staff March 21, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Injustice Watch 2018 Cook County judicial voting guide: pocket edition

Use this pocket version of our voter’s guide at the polls to find out information about your judicial candidates.

by Injustice Watch Staff March 13, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Cook County judicial candidate Laws “didn’t do the job” for one former client

After a defendant was convicted of charges she was part of a drug distribution ring, she cited widespread errors by her attorney, William Laws. The federal trial judge agreed that his poor performance had caused her to be unfairly sentenced. Years later, that case has come up again as Laws is a candidate for Cook County Circuit judge.

by Mari Cohen March 12, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Past bar group evaluator: Judicial hopefuls get thorough review before rated

Jonathan Lubin, past chairman of the evaluation committee for the Decalogue Society, offers a commentary describing the arduous process that groups go through to be fair and accurate in their assessments of each judicial candidate.

by Injustice Watch Staff March 7, 2018December 5, 2023

2018 Primary

Injustice Watch 2018 Cook County judicial voting guide

Injustice Watch compiled a voting guide for the candidates running for judicial seats in Cook County because, despite the powerful role judges play in communities, little independent information is available to voters about the large pool of candidates.

by Injustice Watch Staff March 7, 2018January 30, 2024

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