Circuit Court, 8th Subcircuit
Trial judges elected by one part of the 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.
On the ballot
- Lester Finkle (Democratic, Incumbent): Circuit judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2025 after 37 years in the Cook County Public Defender's office, where he was chief of staff; won a three-way primary with 51.83%.
- Kathleen Cunniff Ori (Democratic): Cook County assistant state's attorney since 2017, deputy supervisor of the labor and employment litigation division, and a former clerk to U.S. Appellate Judge William Bauer; won a three-way primary with 43.34% over…