Circuit Court of Cook County — retention

What this office does

A judge on the state's main trial court. Hears serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits and, in many states, family and probate matters.

Judges on the ballot

A separate Yes/No vote on each judge: YES keeps them on the court for another term.

Also on Cook County ballots

• Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District Judge (Vacancy of Hoffman)
• Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Burke)
• Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Cobbs)
• Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Coghlan)
• Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Hooks)
• Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Karkula)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 1st Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Balanoff)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 1st Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Walker)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 3rd Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Murphy)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 3rd Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Sherlock)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 5th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Ross)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 8th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Gamrath)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 8th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Mikva)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 11th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of McLean Meyerson)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 11th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Roberts)
• Circuit Court of Cook County, 13th Subcircuit Judge (Vacancy of Curry, Jr.)

All Cook County races and measures →

Quick answers

What is a retention vote?

Instead of choosing between candidates, you vote YES or NO on whether each judge stays on the court for another term. A judge who doesn't get enough YES votes (a simple majority in most states) is removed, and the seat is filled by appointment.

Which judges are up for retention?

Lewis Nixon, Kerry M. Kennedy, Joan E. Powell, Maureen Ward Kirby, Edward A. Arce, Thomas J. Byrne, Diana L. Kenworthy, Kristyna Colleen Ryan, Ursula Walowski, Anthony C. "Tony" Kyriakopoulos, Caroline Kate Moreland, Thomas J. Carroll, Andrea M. Buford, John Michael Allegretti, Kristal R. Rivers, Steven G. Watkins, Abbey Fishman Romanek, Judith C. Rice, Patrick Kevin Coughlin, Megan Elizabeth Goldish, Anjana M.J. Hansen, Robert D. Kuzas, Maritza Martinez, Terrence J. McGuire, Bridget Anne Mitchell, James P. Pieczonka, Patricia O'Brien Sheahan, Michael A. Forti, Nichole C. Patton, Sondra N. Denmark, Gerardo Tristan, Jr., Lynn Weaver Boyle, Daniel Edward Maloney, Thomas M. Cushing, John G. Mulroe, Tyria B. Walton, Erin Haggerty Antonietti, Teresa Molina-Gonzalez, Patricia Maria Fallon, Sheree D. Henry, Celestia L. Mays, Levander Smith, Jr., Julie Bess Aimen, Laura Ayala-Gonzalez, Krista D. Butler, Marie Aileen Dempsey, Jamie Guerra Dickler, Jonathan Clark Green, Mary Catherine Marubio, Regina A. Mescall, Lorraine Mary Murphy, Eileen Marie O'Connor, Jill Rose Quinn, Pamela Reaves-Harris, Tiesha L. Smith, Chris Stacey, Perla Tirado, Elizabeth Anne Walsh and Maura McMahon Zeller.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.