ISBA Releases Evaluations of Cook County Judicial Candidates

Bar association provides narrative explanations for its ratings of countywide judicial candidates in the 2026 Democratic primary

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Illinois State Bar Association has released narrative explanations for its evaluations of candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 2026 Cook County Democratic Primary. The ISBA did not release any narratives for judicial candidates in the 2026 Cook County Republican Primary, as there are no Republican candidates seeking judicial office in Cook County.

Why it matters

The ISBA's evaluations and narratives provide valuable insight into the qualifications and backgrounds of the judicial candidates, helping voters make informed decisions in the upcoming primary election. Judicial elections are important as these positions play a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair and impartial justice system.

The details

The ISBA's narrative evaluations cover the one Appellate Court vacancy and the five countywide Circuit Court vacancies in Cook County. The bar association found all of the candidates to be "qualified" for their respective judicial positions based on factors such as their legal knowledge, experience, temperament, and commitment to diversity and fairness.

  • The ISBA released the narrative explanations on February 6, 2026.

The players

Judith C. Rice

A Cook County Circuit Court judge since 2014 who is currently the Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations Division, handling domestic violence cases. She was found qualified for election to the Illinois Appellate Court - First District.

Steven Q. McKenzie

A Supervising Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, handling building code enforcement matters. He was found qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court.

Luz Maria Toledo

An Assistant Cook County State's Attorney who has worked in the Criminal Division and the Civil Actions Bureau. She was found qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court.

Linda Sackey

A former judicial clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis who was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court in 2025. She was found qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court.

Ashonta C. Rice

A sole practitioner who now represents the Park Gold Group on various legal matters. She was found qualified for election to the Cook County Circuit Court.

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What’s next

The Cook County Democratic Primary election, including the judicial races, will be held on March 17, 2026.

The takeaway

The ISBA's narrative evaluations provide valuable insight into the qualifications and backgrounds of the judicial candidates, helping voters make informed decisions in the upcoming primary election. These evaluations highlight the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary in maintaining the integrity of the justice system.