James P. Pieczonka
Judge up for retention, on the Chicago ballot November 3, 2026. Incumbent.
Circuit Court of Cook County
Ratings
Record
Elected to the Circuit Court in 2014 from the 12th Subcircuit as a Republican; presides over civil matters, including evictions and consumer debt, in the Third Municipal District in Rolling Meadows. Injustice Watch reports that he lost a rental property in Andersonville and two commercial properties he owned in foreclosure sales between 2013 and 2020 and went through personal bankruptcy in that period. A judge stays on the bench with a yes from 60 percent of voters.
Background
Solo practitioner in civil, real estate, and misdemeanor cases and a part-time hearing officer for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (1996-2014 and 1983-1985); in between, an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Revenue (1985-1996). Law degree from UIC Law (formerly John Marshall Law School) (1983).
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