2026 Election Information for Cook County Judges

Written by Kathy Valente

The 2026 General Election is here! Illinois voters will elect our next governor, U.S. Senator, members of Congress, state lawmakers, and other public officials.

But one important part of the ballot is often overlooked: judicial races. Judges make decisions that affect our families, freedoms, and constitutional rights. We cannot afford to overlook them.

Researching every judicial candidate statewide is a major undertaking. In the past, we have sent out questionnaires. But unfortunately, responses have been almost non-existent.

But here’s information for Cook County judges. Many of which are up for retention. They need 60% of the “Yes” votes in order to be retained in office.

Click to view THIS RESOURCE which includes recommendations and endorsements from anti-family sources. So with that in mind, use discernment as you cast your vote. The 3 sources we include are:

Personal PAC is the abortion lobby’s political action committee. They are devoted to making sure that abortion is accessible to all women and girls during any time during pregnancy. They have endorsed in many races throughout the state, including those specific to Chicago and Cook County. This is also a good source for the upcoming consolidated elections in the Spring!

From their web site, “Girl, I Guess is Jewish, Black, queer, trans, nerdy and dedicated to helping members of the Chicago and Cook County community navigate a confusing ballot and identify the most progressive candidates.”

LAGBAC – Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – works to ensure that judges rule in favor of the LGBTQ+ community. Their judicial recommendations are found here.

Judicial elections deserve careful attention because passing good laws is only part of the battle. Courts interpret those laws and determine how they apply to our lives. The judges we elect or retain may hear cases involving parental rights, religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and government overreach. Their judgment and commitment to the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions can shape our communities for years to come.

Please share this information with your Cook County friends, neighbors, and family. Make every part of your ballot count!

Cook County Demographics:

HELP: Our get-out-the-vote campaign is up and running.
We are distributing the IFI Voter Guide to hundreds of churches and civic groups.