Alliance Releases Updated Ratings for Subcircuit Judicial Candidates

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The Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening, a coalition of 13 legal organizations, has released its updated ratings for subcircuit judicial candidates in Cook County, Illinois. The ratings cover all Democratic primary candidates, as no Republican candidates filed to run for any judicial vacancies this year. While the list of subcircuit candidates is lengthy, many races are uncontested, with some subcircuits having only as many candidates as open seats.

Why it matters

The Alliance's ratings provide valuable guidance for voters in navigating the complex judicial election process, which can be confusing given the large number of subcircuit-level races. Their collaborative effort to screen and evaluate candidates helps ensure the Cook County judiciary remains qualified and representative of the diverse communities it serves.

The details

The Alliance conducts joint investigations and interviews of judicial candidates, with each member bar association issuing its own ratings based on factors like legal experience, integrity, and community involvement. While most ratings are now complete, a few candidates are still pursuing appeals with the issuing bar groups. The ratings use a standardized system of hieroglyphic symbols to indicate each candidate's qualifications.

• The updated ratings were released on February 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming primary election.

What’s next

Voters in Cook County will have the opportunity to review the Alliance's ratings and make informed decisions about subcircuit judicial candidates in the upcoming primary election.