Judges /
Judicial Elections
Every two years, Cook County voters go to the polls to elect new judges and decide whether to retain sitting judges. We research every judicial candidate and provide comprehensive, nonpartisan voter guides for each Cook County judicial election.
Primary 2026
March 2026 Cook County judicial primary election guide
No contest: Cook County judicial primary elections draw dwindling field of candidates
For the second straight primary season, more than half the races for Cook County circuit judge on the March 17 ballot are uncontested, with just 45 candidates vying for 28 open seats.
Cook County Democrats slate 5 judicial candidates, prepare for lean 2026 war chest
Last week the party nominated a diverse slate for a record-low number of vacant judicial positions open to countywide voting.
March 2026 Cook County judicial election guide
Injustice Watch’s guide to the March 2026 Cook County judicial primary elections.
Explainers
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Our reporting on judicial elections and nonpartisan judicial voter guides have contributed to a significant increase in voter participation in judicial races.
Past Election Guides
More Judicial Elections
Charles Beach elected Cook County chief judge
Beach will be Cook County’s first new chief judge in 24 years, after defeating eight-term incumbent Timothy Evans.
Property records raise new questions about influential Cook County judge
Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. acquired a handful of Chicago homes from the estates of deceased clients when he was a solo law practitioner in the 1990s. Now, two families claim he took advantage of his elderly clients.
O’Malley loses retention, becoming third judge in 6 years to be ousted by voters
Voters rejected the judge after Injustice Watch reported he claimed a Will County home as his primary residence and bar associations unanimously recommended against him.
Powerful Cook County judge referred to judicial misconduct board over residency conflicts
Judge E. Kenneth Wright, who presides over the first municipal district, and Judge Shannon O’Malley were referred for investigation after Injustice Watch reported they had claimed homeowner’s exemptions on houses they owned in Will County.
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