Who is running for judge in Illinois in 2024?
On Nov. 5 Illinoisans will vote to elect two Illinois Supreme Court justices and nine appellate court justices, and whether to retain four sitting appellate court justices.
Every general election, Illinoisans vote to elect the judges who will rule on the laws and legal controversies in the state. But voters are often unfamiliar with how the courts and judicial elections work in the state.
This guide will discuss the structure of Illinois’ judicial system, how judges are chosen in Illinois, and provide voters with information on the candidates for Illinois appellate court justice.
Three levels of courts in Illinois
There are three levels to the judicial system in Illinois. The lowest level of the judiciary is the circuit court, which includes 25 circuit courts in the state.
Circuit court decisions can be appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court. There are five judicial districts in Illinois from which the appellate and Illinois Supreme Court judges are selected.
The final and highest-level court in the state is the Illinois Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court hears appeals from the lower courts and has original jurisdiction over some specific cases such as those involving revenue. The current makeup of the Illinois Supreme Court consists of five Democratic and two Republican justices.
Elections and retentions
Judicial candidates in Illinois running for the first time are registered with a political party. Like legislative elections, judicial candidates first run against other candidates from the same party in the primary election.
After the primary election, the winning candidates of each partisan primary will face each other on the general election ballot Nov. 5. The judge who wins the most votes in the general election is elected to office. Illinois Supreme Court justices and the Illinois Appellate Court judges are elected for ten-year terms while circuit court judges have six-year terms.
Once a judge has served his or her first term, they can ask voters to keep them on the bench. This retention election determines whether the judge will serve another term in office. Unlike the general election where judicial elections are placed on the general ballot, retention elections are placed on a separate, special judicial ballot.
These special ballots do not list the candidate’s party affiliation or feature an opposing candidate; it simply asks a “yes” or “no” question of whether the judge should be retained for another term in office. Judges must receive 60% of the vote to stay on the bench. Judges can run for retention an unlimited number of times.
Vacancies
Illinois is the only state in the country where state supreme court vacancies are filled by the court itself. In the case of a vacancy, the court appoints an interim justice who serves until the next primary election. The interim justice must then run for the office in a partisan election or leave office.
Judicial Districts
Illinois Supreme Court justices are selected at the level of the judicial district. Three justices are selected from Judicial District 1, which is entirely Cook County. The rest of Illinois is divided into four other districts, Judicial Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Each of these districts gets to vote for one justice on the Supreme Court. Appellate Court judges are also selected based on these five districts. Circuit court judges are selected from 24 subdivisions of the five appellate districts, known as circuits.
Unfortunately for voters this year, several judicial races will pose no choice at all. The two Illinois Supreme Court vacancies to be filled this election will each feature only one candidate, all but assuring the results. Similarly, all six candidates to fill vacancies in the 1st and 4th District Appellate Courts will go unopposed.
This lack of competition is because of partisan gerrymandering. In 2022, the supermajority Democrat General Assembly redrew the judicial district lines for the first time since they were established in 1964. The new districts functioned to favor Democrats in Illinois Supreme Court races, increasing the party’s number of seats on the court from a 4-3 to a 5-2 majority. The effects of that gerrymander can also be seen the lack of competition in state judicial races.
But even in the races where there is a real choice, most voters have little idea about who is running for the bench, much less the candidates’ positions on the issues that are important to them. The lack of information is partially due to a stricter code of ethics for judicial candidates regarding political campaigns. Judges also desire to maintain the appearance of impartiality, leading them to avoid commenting on potential legal issues or future cases.
But a candidate’s probable views on issues voters care about can be gleaned in other ways than an explicit campaign platform. By looking at what groups and individuals have endorsed which candidates, what groups have contributed to their campaigns and who they in turn have contributed to, the candidates’ past decisions and public statements, voters can gain a clearer idea of who they support and who they oppose for the office. Instances of ethical violations, demonstrations of poor performance or candidates who have been embroiled in controversy may also better inform voters’ decisions.
Below is a guide to candidates running for appellate court positions in Illinois, their party affiliations, endorsements, donations as reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections and records on a selection of cases that may be of interest to Illinois voters.
Candidate Guide:
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1st District Appellate Court (retention)
Thomas Hoffman (incumbent Democrat)
Notable endorsement:
- Chicago Federation of Labor
Notable contributions received from:
- No contributions found.
Notable contributions given to:
- No contributions found.
Notable decisions:
- One of the two justices of a three-justice panel in favor of releasing Jussie Smollett from prison.
- Wrote the decision overruling the Cook County Court and Chicago Board of Elections decision to allow Rahm Emmanuel to run as candidate for Chicago Mayor. In that decision, Justice Hoffman ruled Emmanuel was ineligible because he did not fulfill residency requirements. Hoffman’s decision was later reversed by the state supreme court.
David Ellis (incumbent Democrat)
Notable endorsement:
- Chicago Federation of Labor
Notable contributions received from:
- Friends of Michael Madigan ($13,952.99 in 2013)
- Former State Sen. Heather Steans ($2,500 in 2013)
- Citizens for Sara Feigenholtz ($1,500 in 2013)
- Former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain ($1,000 in 2013)
Notable contributions given to:
- Cook County Democratic Party ($30,000 in 2013)
- 13th Ward Democratic Organization ($6,125.96 in 2013)
Notable decisions:
- No notable decisions found.
Other notable facts:
- Former Chief House Council to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
- Oversaw impeachment of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich
- Wrote letter of support during sentencing for former Tim Mapes, the former Chief of Staff to Michael Madigan convicted of perjury in corruption investigation.
2nd District Appellate Court (retention)
Notable endorsement:
- Chicago Federation of Labor
Notable contributions received from:
- No notable contributions received.
Notable contributions given to:
- No notable contributions given.
Notable decisions:
- Exonerated Juan Rivera, a man wrongfully convicted of rape and murder.
- Authored opinion in People v. Webber, overturning the conditional release of a woman who murdered her 4-year old child.
- Concurred in unanimous three-judge panel decision in People v. Mrowka overturning the pretrial detention of a sex offender, determining that there was not clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was a flight risk.
3rd District Appellate Court (retention)
William Holdridge (incumbent Republican)
Notable endorsement:
Notable contributions received by:
- Illinois Machinists Nonpartisan League ($5,375, 2000-2004)
- Illinois State Medical Society PAC ($3,500, 2000-2004)
- Will County Carpenters Local 174 ($1,500, 2000-2004)
Notable contributions given to:
- No notable contributions given.
Notable decisions:
- Dissented in case affirming the constitutionality of laws prohibiting the open carry of firearms, arguing that the law violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
- Upheld a lower court decision dismissing a lawsuit against Gov. Pritzker’s eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Affirmed lower court’s pretrial detention of defendant accused of stabbing a man multiple times where the defendant was in treatment for anxiety and depression but was not taking his prescribed antipsychotic medication.
- Affirmed lower court decision that trial judge sleeping during a jury trial for murder was not reversible error that demanded a new trial.
Other notable facts:
- In 1997 Justice Holdridge resigned his position as court administrator shortly after he was appointed by Chief Justice James Heiple amid concerns of corruption allegations against Heiple and that Holdridge could not adequately perform his duties as both appellate justice and court administrator at the same time.
3rd District Appellate Court Partisan Elections
Democrat John C. Anderson v. Republican Kenton Skarin
John C. Anderson (D)
Notable endorsements:
- Sen. Dick Durban
- U.S. House Rep. Robin Kelly
- U.S. House Rep Jonathan Jackson
- Illinois AFL-CIO
- United Auto Workers
- Illinois Federation of Teachers
- American Federation of Teachers Local 604
- Illinois Nurses Association
- Former Illinois State President John Cullerton
- State Sen. Rachel Ventura
Notable contributions received from:
- Construction & General Laborers District Council ($5,000, 2007-2010)
- AFT Local 604 COPE II ($4,900, 2007-2010)
- Citizens for John Cullerton ($4,000, 2007-2010)
- IBEW Educational Committee ($1,750, 2007-2010)
- Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 422 ($1,000, 2007-2008)
Notable contributions given to:
- Seventeenth State Central Committee (Democratic Organization, $1,000, 2010)
- NAACP 3018-B ($500, 2023)
- Judge Jessica Colon Sayre for Will County ($500, 2022)
Notable decisions:
- Dismissed lawsuit against Gov. Pritzker’s eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ruled convicted felon Karl Ferrer could not remain a Trustee on the Joliet Township Board.
- “In many states, people are using the court system to restrict reproductive rights, the right to vote, the right to read the books you want to read, and even the right to love who you choose to love,” he said. “Those rights are protected in this state, and if elected, I will continue to respect those rights under Illinois law.”
Kenton Skarin (R)
Notable endorsements:
- No notable endorsements found.
Notable contributions received from:
- Legal Scholar Steven Calabresi ($6,900, 2023)
- LaSalle County Republican Central Committee ($2,000, 2024)
- Former State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi ($500, 2023)
Notable contributions given to:
- Naperville Township Republican Organization ($250, 2024)
Notable decisions:
- No notable decisions found.
Other notable facts:
- Law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Democrat Linda E. Davenport v. Republican Jason Helland
- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin
- U.S. House Rep. Lauren Underwood
- U.S. House Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
- U.S. House Rep. Delia Ramirez
- U.S. House Rep. Chuy Garcia
- U.S. House Rep. Sean Casten
- U.S. House Rep. Bill Foster
- State Treasurer Mike Frerichs
- State Sen. Patrick Joyce
- State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
- State Sen. Karina Villa
- State Sen. Linda Holmes
- State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit
- State Rep. Natalie Manley
- State Rep. Terra Costa Howard
- State Rep. Anne Stava-Murphy
- State Rep. Dagmara ‘Dee’ Avelar
- State Rep. Maura Hirschauer
- AFSCME 31
- AFL-CIO
- IFT- AFT (American Federation of Teachers)
- Illinois Valley Federation of Labor
- Illinois Valley Building Trades Council
- Chicago Laborers International Union of North America
- International Union of Operating Engineers
- United Food and Commercial Workers
- Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
- Associated Firefighters of Illinois
- Operating Engineers Local 150
- Personal PAC (Planned Parenthood)
- American Middle East Voters Alliance
Notable contributions received from:
- Lance Peterson for Appellate Justice ($42,416, 2023-2024)
- AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Local 604 COPE II ($20,000, 2024)
- Illinois Federation of Teachers ($15,000, 2024)
- Carpentry Advancement PAC Fund ($15,000, 2023-2024)
- AFSCME ($10,000, 2024)
Notable contributions given to:
- DuPage Democrats for Judicial Integrity ($2,243, 2024)
- Citizens for Judge Leah Seltzen ($500, 2024)
- Friends of Judge Chantelle Porter ($500, 2024)
- Lauren Underwood for Congress ($250, 2024)
- Eileen O’Neill Burke for State’s Attorney ($250, 2023)
- Joliet Pride Network ($250, 2023)
Notable decisions:
- No notable decisions found.
Jason Helland (Republican)
Notable endorsements:
Notable contributions received from:
- Illinois Republican Party ($51,200, 2018)
- D Construction ($39,540, 2013-2021)
- Kinzinger for Congress, Friends of Adam Kinzinger ($18,685.04, 2012-2020)
- Grundy County Republican Central Committee ($10,700, 2012-2020)
- Friends of Sue Rezin ($5,000, 2012-2020)
- Illinois Liberty PAC ($3,991, 2016)
- Chicago Land Operators PAC ($2,000, 2021)
- Proft for Governor ($1,500, 2012)
- Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 17 PAC ($1,000, 2021)
- Teamsters Local Union No 700 PAC ($1,000, 2019)
- IOUE Local 150 PAC ($1,000, 2019)
Notable contributions given to:
- Liberty PAC ($4,000, 2016)
- Friends of Alex J. Clubb ($2,595, 2022)
- Friends of David A Welter ($1,000, 2021)
- Friends to Elect Ken Briley ($500, 2017)
Notable decisions:
- No notable decisions found.
Notable positions:
- Expressed concern about eliminating cash bail as Grundy County State’s Attorney in 2022.
Democrat Lance Peterson v. Republican John Costello
Notable endorsements:
- Illinois State AFL-CIO
- Associated Firefighters of Illinois
- Illinois State Fraternal Order of Police
- Illinois Valley Federation of Labor
- Planned Parenthood Personal
- State Sen. Linda Holmes
- State Sen. Pat Joyce
- State Rep. Natalie Manley
- State Rep. Terra Costa Howard
- State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit
- State Rep. Dagmara Avelar
Notable contributions received from:
- Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC ($26,500) | 2023-2024
- Illinois Federation of Teachers ($25,474.95) | 2005-2024
- AFSCME, AFSCME 31 PAC ($21,000) | 2005-2024
- AFT Local 604 COPE II ($20,000) | 2005-2024
- Carpentry Advancement PAC ($16,000) | 2023-2024
- Various IBEW PACs ($18,050) | 2000-2024
- D Construction ($13,950) | 2000-2024
- Iroquois Paving Corporation ($9,500) | 2023-2024
- LiUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council PAC ($7,500) | 2023-2024
Notable contributions given to:
- DuPage Democrats for Judicial Integrity ($2,443, 2024)
- Citizens for Lisa Madigan ($2,000, 2001)
- Joyce for Senate ($250, 2023)
- Friends of Justice Linda Davenport ($250, 2023)
- Personal PAC Independent Committee ($250, 2023)
Notable decisions:
- Sentenced man convicted of two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse to 90 days in jail and 48 months probation.
- Sentenced woman with five prior DUIs to 30 years in prison.
- Sentenced man with fourth grade IQ convicted of involuntary manslaughter of his 3-week year old child to 10 years in prison. Justice Peterson granted a motion to suppress evidence of defendant’s confession because he did not have a high enough IQ to understand his Miranda rights, leading the prosecution to agree to the plea agreement dropping murder charges.
John F. Costello (R)
Notable endorsements:
- No notable endorsements found.
Notable contributions received by:
- No contributions received.
Notable contributions given to:
- No notable contributions given.
Notable decisions:
- No notable decisions found.
Other Notable facts:
- John F. Costello, Jr. is the Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for JP Morgan Chase & Co.
4th District Appellate Court (retention)
Robert Steigmann (incumbent Republican)
Notable endorsements:
- No notable endorsements found.
Notable contributions received from:
- No notable contributions received.
Notable contributions given to:
- No notable contributions given.
Notable decisions:
- Affirmed lower court decision that a statute that treated Cook County differently than other counties in a way that created a large disparity between the bail bond a defendant must pay was not unconstitutional.
Other notable facts:
- Justice Steigmann was the subject of a complaint filed with the Judicial Inquiry Board Court Commission in 2017 alleging he used official court letterhead, computer equipment and staff to solicit paid lecturing opportunities.
- A 2002 NPR article noted campaign signs telling voters Steigmann is “tough on thugs,” his membership in the Champaign County Rifle Association and his public call for the right to carry concealed weapons in Illinois.