Thomas J. Byrne
Judge up for retention, on the Chicago ballot November 3, 2026. Incumbent.
Circuit Court of Cook County
Ratings
- Chicago Bar Association: Qualified
- Illinois State Bar Association: Yes
- Injustice Watch: Former prosecutor
- Injustice Watch: Notable reversals
Record
A Circuit Court judge since 2008, hearing criminal cases at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago after earlier handling misdemeanor cases. Injustice Watch reports that the Illinois Appellate Court overturned his judgments, rulings, or sentences at least 16 times over the last term, the second-highest number among the six Criminal Division judges up for retention this year. In one recent case it reversed an aggravated battery conviction because he had kept the jury from seeing body camera video of a witness whose statements at the scene contradicted his trial testimony. A judge stays on the bench with a yes from 60 percent of voters.
Background
Cook County assistant state's attorney at courthouses in Chicago and Markham, rising to supervisor at the Rolling Meadows courthouse (1989-2008). Law degree from Loyola University Chicago (1989).
Compiled from public sources: