Celestia L. Mays
Judge up for retention, on the Chicago ballot November 3, 2026. Incumbent.
Circuit Court of Cook County
Ratings
Record
Appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2019 and elected in 2020; hears misdemeanor and traffic cases at the Maywood Courthouse. Injustice Watch reports that she oversaw the misdemeanor battery case against social media influencer Nick Fuentes, accused of pepper-spraying a woman who came to his door, which ended in a deferred prosecution deal requiring an apology, about $635 in restitution, an anger management course, and 75 hours of community service. A judge stays on the bench with a yes from 60 percent of voters.
Background
Attorney in private practice focused on family law, probate, and residential real estate (1997-2018); associate at a criminal defense and federal litigation firm (1994-1997); law clerk for several California firms (1987-1994). Law degree from University of Detroit Mercy (1986).
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