Courts Elections
Appellate Courts
Appellate courts are a type of court that reviews decisions made by lower courts. Unlike trial courts, which handle the initial presentation of evidence and witness testimony, appellate courts focus on reviewing the legal aspects of a case to determine whether the lower court’s decision was correct. Appellate courts play a critical role in ensuring that the law is interpreted and applied consistently. They provide a check on the decisions made by trial courts and help maintain a uniform application of legal principles. Appellate courts are crucial for reviewing and ensuring the proper application of the law, correcting errors, and guiding the development of legal standards.
Did you know there are different types of appellate courts?
State Appellate Courts
Each state has its own appellate courts, which hear appeals from lower state courts. For example, in Illinois, the Appellate Court is divided into five districts.
Federal Appellate Courts
In the U.S. federal system, there are 13 Courts of Appeals that handle appeals from federal district courts. These courts are divided into regional circuits.
Who’s on the ballot
Vacancy of Connors: Mary Lane Mikva (D)
Vacancy of Cunningham: Cynthia Y. Cobbs (D)
Vacancy of Delort: Celia Louise Gamrath (D)
Vacancy of O’Neill Burke: Carl Anthony Walker (D)
Circuit Courts
Circuit Courts are a type of trial court that typically handles a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Circuit courts are crucial components of the judicial system, serving as the primary venues for trying cases. They handle a diverse range of legal issues, and their decisions can significantly impact individuals and communities.
Who’s on the ballot
Vacancy of Flannery, Jr.:
- Pablo F. deCastro (D)
- Tien H. Glaub (R)
Vacancy of Gaughan: Corinne C. Heggie (D)
Vacancy of Haberkorn: Sarah Johnson (D)
Vacancy of Hubbard: Deidre M. Dyer (D)
Vacancy of Maras: Arlene Y. Coleman-Romeo (D)
Vacancy of Mitchell: Neil Cohen (D)
Vacancy of Murphy: Edward Joseph Underhill (D)
Vacancy of Propes: Debjani ‘Deb” Desai
Vacancy of Raines: Jennifer Patricia Callahan (D)
Vacancy of Sullivan: James S. Murphy-Anguilú (D)
Vacancy of Walker: Chloe Georgianna Pedersen (D)
Sub-Circuit Courts
Sub-Circuit Courts are a type of trial court that typically handles a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Circuit courts are crucial components of the judicial system, serving as the primary venues for trying cases. They handle a diverse range of legal issues, and their decisions can significantly impact individuals and communities.
Who’s on the ballot
3rd Sub-circuit
Vacancy of Adams Brosnahan: Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez (D)
Vacancy of Harmening: Pat Heery (D)
5th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of Lewis: Yolanda Harris Sayre (D)
7th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of Solganick: Owens J. Shelby (D)
8th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of Collins-Dole: Loveleen Ahuja (D)
10th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of McWilliams: Caroline Glennon-Goodman (D)
Vacancy of Wojkowski: James V. Murphy (D)
11th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of Finley Collins: Dawn Gonzalez (D)
Vacancy of Daleo: Audrey Victoria Cosgrove (D)
14th Sub-circuit
Vacancy of O’Hara: Griselda Vega Samuel (D)
Vacancy of Pierce: Stephanie Kathryn Miller (D)
16th Sub-circuit
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Flood: Pedro Fregoso Jr. (D)
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Griffin Jr.: Cecilia Abundis (D)
17th Sub-circuit
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Aguilar: Rivanda Doss Beal (D)
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Flaherty: Lloyd James Brooks (D)
19th Sub-circuit
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Senechalle, Jr.: Bridget Colleen Duignan (D)
20th Sub-circuit
Converted from Associate Judgeship of Budzinski: Nadine Jean Wichern (D)
The Supreme Court
The Illinois Supreme Court is the highest in the state and plays a vital role in the judicial system. It interprets the Illinois Constitution and laws, setting legal precedents that lower courts must follow. The court conducts Judicial Review, checking lower court decisions to ensure the law is applied correctly. It can also discipline attorneys and judges. The Supreme Court handles essential cases, including appeals related to the constitutionality of laws.
Who’s on the ballot
Vacancy of Burke: Joy Virginia Cunningham (D)
Appellate Court
- Thomas E. Hoffman
- David W. Ellis
In this Section:
Index
- About this Guide
- Voting 101
- 2024 Presidential Election
- Statewide Referendums
- House & Senate Elections
- State’s Attorney Elections
- School Board Elections
- Courts Elections
- Chicago is a Palestinian City
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Retention Judges
In Cook County, Illinois, when a judge is up for retention, it means that their term is ending, and they seek to be retained in their position for another term. Illinois judges are elected for specific terms, and after serving their term, they must stand for retention in a general election. During this process, voters have the opportunity to decide whether to retain the judge in their role. If a majority of voters choose to retain the judge, they will continue serving for another term. If the majority votes against retention, the judge will be removed from office, and a vacancy will be created that can be filled through appointment or another election. This system is designed to check on judges, ensuring their performance is constantly evaluated, and the public has a say in their continuation in the position.
The judges highlighted in red either received a negative review or are marked for a negative controversy by Injustice Watch.
Who’s on the ballot
Circuit Court
- Kathy M. Flanagan
- Stuart F. Lubin
- Martin S. Agran
- Ronald F. Bartkowicz
- E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.
- James M. Varga
- Mary Margaret Brosnahan
- Maura Slattery Boyle
- Carl Anthony Walker
- Daniel Patrick Brennan
- Ellen L. Flannigan
- Carol M. Howard
- Jill C. Marisie
- Mike McHale
- James Patrick Murphy
- Ramon Ocasio III
- Mary Colleen Roberts
- Celia Louise Gamrath
- Tommy Brewer
- Erica L. Reddick
- Lionel Jean-Baptiste
- Michael R. Clancy
- Regina Ann Scannicchio
- Diann Karen Marsalek
- Carl B. Boyd
- Daniel R. Degnan
- John H. Ehrlich
- Terry Gallagher
- William G. Gamboney
- Elizabeth Mary Hayes
- Martin C. Kelley
- Kimberly D. Lewis
- Aicha Marie MacCarthy
- Lisa Ann Marino
- Michael Tully Mullen
- Karen Lynn O’Malley
- Paul S. Pavlus
- Cynthia Ramirez
- Beatriz Santiago
- Clare Joyce Quish
- Stephanie Saltouros
- Kent Delgado
- Cecilia Anne Horan
- Joanne F. Rosado
- Toya T. Harvey
- Adrienne Elaine Davis
- H. Yvonne Coleman
- Debra A. Seaton
- David R. Navarro
- Marian Emily Perkins
- Robert Harris
- Preston Jones, Jr.
- Peter Michael Gonzalez
- Jeanne Marie Wrenn
- Michael B. Barrett
- Tiana Ellis Blakely
- Joel Chupack
- Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza
- Kevin Patrick Cunningham
- Colleen Reardon Daly
- Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval
- Leshia Gray
- Jack Hagerty
- Lindsay Huge
- Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan
- Thomas F. McGuire
- Scott McKenna
- Shannon O’Malley
- Erika Orr
- Linda Perez
- James “Jamie” Shapiro
- Tom Sam Sianis
- Rosa Maria Silva
- Kathryn Maloney Vahey
- Andrea Michelle Webber
- Arthur Wesley Willis
How we made this guide
We researched candidates’ stances on issues that people give a sh*t about. These answers are based on direct responses from candidates’ campaigns.
Keep in mind, this guide is for informational purposes only, designed to help voters understand where each candidate stands on issues important to young people. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we do not endorse or oppose any candidates or political parties.