Appellate Court, First District
Vacancies on the court that hears appeals from Cook County.
On the Chicago ballot November 3, 2026.
Every Cook County judge up for retention needs a yes from 60 percent of voters to keep the job. Bar associations screen each one; Injustice Watch reports on their records. Injustice Watch judicial guide, Chicago Bar Association evaluations.
Every contested judicial seat has one candidate in November: no Republican or independent filed for judge in Cook County this cycle. Each candidate shows the Chicago Bar Association's and the Illinois State Bar Association's ratings for the November election, both unchanged from March, plus every Not Recommended or Not Qualified from the other members of the Alliance of Bar Associations. The Alliance rates any candidate who does not take part in its screening Not Recommended.
On the ballot
- Judith C. Rice (Democratic): Presiding judge of the Cook County Circuit Court domestic violence division since 2021, a circuit judge since 2014, and formerly Chicago City Treasurer (2000-2006); unopposed in the March primary (590,227 votes).