Unopposed Candidate McKenzie Holds Fundraiser

Cook County Democratic Party-backed judicial candidate holds St. Patrick's Day-themed fundraiser despite running unopposed.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Steven Q. McKenzie, who was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party last summer as its first alternate for a countywide judicial vacancy, is holding a St. Patrick's Day-themed fundraiser on March 4 at the Billy Goat in Chicago. Despite running unopposed, McKenzie must still pay an assessment to the party, necessitating the fundraising event.

Why it matters

Even unopposed candidates in local judicial races must still raise funds to pay party assessments, highlighting the role of political machines in Cook County's judicial election process. The fundraiser's St. Patrick's Day theme aims to generate excitement and interest around McKenzie's unopposed campaign.

The details

McKenzie was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party last summer as its first alternate for any judicial vacancy that occurred after the party's slatemakers met and before the close of the special judicial filing period. When Judge Kathleen M. Burke retired on August 31, McKenzie was the party's choice to fill the vacancy, and he ran unopposed. However, McKenzie still must pay an assessment to the party, which is reportedly over $40,000 for this election cycle. The March 4 fundraiser at the Billy Goat in Chicago will feature St. Patrick's Day-themed sponsorship levels ranging from $200 to $5,000.

  • McKenzie was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party last summer.
  • Judge Kathleen M. Burke retired on August 31.
  • The fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The players

Steven Q. McKenzie

A countywide judicial candidate who was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party and is running unopposed.

Cook County Democratic Party

The political party organization that slated McKenzie as its first alternate for a countywide judicial vacancy.

Judge Kathleen M. Burke

The judge who retired on August 31, creating the vacancy that McKenzie was slated to fill.

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What they’re saying

“Even for an unopposed candidate.”

— Jack Leyhane, Author (blogspot.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the role of political machines in Cook County's judicial election process, where even unopposed candidates must raise significant funds to pay party assessments. The St. Patrick's Day-themed fundraiser aims to generate excitement around McKenzie's campaign, despite his lack of opposition.