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  • Non-Cook County Primary Results | Knowyourstatejudges

    Illinois Judicial Circuit Court Elections Outside of Cook County 1st Circuit - Pope 7th Circuit - 3rd Subcircuit 12th Circuit - 2nd Subcircuit 14th Circuit - Whiteside (Senneff) 18th Circuit - 1st Subcircuit 2nd Circuit - Franklin 9th Circuit - McDonough 12th Circuit - 4th Subcircuit 14th Circuit - Whiteside (Steines) 18th Circuit - 2nd Subcircuit 4th Circuit - At Large 10th Circuit - Peoria (Lyons) 13th Circuit - Bureau 16th Circuit - At Large 18th Circuit - 3rd Subcircuit 4th Circuit - Montgomery 10th Circuit - Peoria (Rissinger) 13th Circuit - Grundy 16th Circuit - 2nd Subcircuit 21st Circuit - Kankakee 5th Circuit - Vermillion 10th Circuit - Stark 13th Circuit - LaSalle 16th Circuit - 4th Subcircuit 22nd Circuit - At Large 6th Circuit Douglas 12 Circuit - At Large 14th Circuit - Mercer 17th Circuit - 1st Subcircuit 22nd Circuit - McHenry 23rd Circuit - Kendall

  • Calander for 2026 General | Knowyourstatejudges

    2026 General Election Calander The following dates are for the 2026 General Election to be held on November 3, 2026. Dates Activity February 25, 2026 Petition Circulation Begins for the General Election May 18, 2026 First Day to File Nomination Papers for the General Election June 2, 2026 Last Day to File Objections to Nomination Papers for the General Election August 3, 2026 Last Day to File Petitions for Public Questions for the General Election August 5, 2026 First Day to Submit Vote by Mail Applications for the General Election August 10, 2026 Last Day to File Objections to Petitions for Public Questions for the General Election August 17, 2026 Last Day for Resolutions for Public Questions for the General Election August 21, 2026 Ballot Certification Deadline for State Board of Elections August 27, 2026 Ballot Certification Deadline – County Clerk August 27, 2026 Public Question Certification for the General Election September 3, 2026 Write-In Candidate Filing Deadline for the General Election September 18, 2026 Vote by Mail Ballots Mailed Out – Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act September 24, 2026 Early Voting Begins for the General Election September 24, 2026 Voting by Mail Begins for the General Election October 6, 2026 Close of Voter Registration October 7, 2026 Grace Period Registration and Voting Begins for the General Election October 18, 2026 Close of Online Voter Registration for the General Election October 29, 2026 Last Day to Mail Vote by Mail Ballots for the General Election November 2, 2026 Last Day for Early Voting for the General Election November 3, 2026 General Election Day for 2026

  • General Elections 2024 | Knowyourstatejudges

    Illinois Judicial General Elections 2024 Below are the different judicial elections for Illinois: Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Cook County Circuit Court, and Non-Cook County Circuit Court justices. Know Your State Judge s focuses on the Illinois Judicial Circuit Court races outside of Cook County - as there are many sites available to inform yourself about the others. Injustice Watch's Judicial Voting Guide and Ballotopedia provide expanded information on the Supreme Court, Appellate Court, and Cook County Circuit Court races . Non-Cook County Judicial Circuit Races Non-Cook County Judicial Circuit Retention Illinois General Judicial Races Know Your State Judges have reviewed multiple credible websites from the Illinois State Bar Associations, the candidate's county bar associations, the Illinois Election Board, Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, Illinois Sunshine, Martindale, candidate website and social media sites, and have reached out to each candidate to verify the data. In the process a very thorough profile of each candidate has been collected and displayed so that voters can make a more informed determination of who they want sitting on the bench when an important decision is made for them. Supreme Court Races Click here for expanded information on the Supreme Court Races. Appellate Court Races Click here for expanded information on the Appellate Court Races. Non-Cook County Circuit Court Races Click here for expanded information on the judicial circuit races outside of Cook County. Cook County Circuit Court Races Click here for expanded information on the judicial circuit races of Cook County.

  • Hon. Melissa Presser

    Hon. Melissa Presser Republican Party Winner 100% (647 of 647) Primary votes < Candidate 1st Circuit - Pope County EXPERIENCE 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge: 2022 - Present Appointed 2022 Supervisory Regional Counsel for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: 2022 Pope County State’s Attorney: 2012 - 2019 Hardin County State’s Attorney: 2012 Legal Advisor for the Department of Administrative Hearings for the Illinois Secretary of State: 2008 - 2012 EDUCATION University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: B.A. Southern Illinois University School of Law: J.D. - 2006 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association's Advisory Committee Result: Melissa Presser – Recommended Number of Respondents 43 Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 82.05 Integrity 97.22 Impartiality 86.84 Legal Ability 75.00 Temperament 84.62 Court Management 88.89 Health 100 Sensitivity 97.44 < Candidate CAMPAIGN FINANCE Total contributions since April 1, 2023: No Contributions Noted since 4/1/23 Top 5 Donors Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ ENDORSED BY: No endorsement information is available at this time. This list does not include individual politician or community leaders, but those organizations that have a defined process for endorsing all types of judicial candidates. For a more complete list of all endorsements, click on the "Campaign Website" button below. Attorney Disciplinary Reports Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings None Look Up Attorney Disclipline History

  • Hon. Jennifer M. Rangel-Kelly

    This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Candidates Hon. Jennifer M. Rangel-Kelly Democratic Party Winner 100% (1,758 or 1,758) Primary votes 14th Circuit - Whiteside County EXPERIENCE 14th Judicial Circuit Court Judge: 2023 - Present Appointed 2023 Whiteside County Public Defender: Year not available- 2023 ? EDUCATION College of St. Mary - Omaha, Nebraska: B.A. - 2000 Creighton University, J.D. - 2006 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association and Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside County Bar Association 's Joint Advisory Committee Result: Jennifer M. Rangel-Kelly – Recommended Number of Respondents 48 Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 91.67 Integrity 93.75 Impartiality 91.67 Legal Ability 91.30 Temperament 91.49 Court Management 93.48 Health 97.87 Sensitivity 91.49 < Candidates CAMPAIGN FINANCE Total contributions since April 1, 2023: No financial information is available at this time. Top 5 Donors Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ ENDORSED BY: No endorsement information is available at this time This list does not include individual politician or community leaders, but those organizations that have a defined process for endorsing all types of judicial candidates. For a more complete list of all endorsements, click on the "Campaign Website" button below. Attorney Disciplinary Reports Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings None Look Up Attorney Disclipline History

  • Gott, Amanda Byassee

    c Hon. Amanda Byassee Gott Republican 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge At Large < Back EXPERIENCE 1st Judicial Circuit Judge, 2018 - Present (Elected 2018) Private Practice, 1999 - 2018 EDUCATION Undergraduate: Illinois State University, B.A. Music and Political Science - 1996 Law School: Southern Illinois University, J.D. - 1999 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association and 1st Circuit Joint Judicial Advisory Polls: Amanda Byassee Gott: Recommended Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 75.90 Integrity 85.71 Impartiality 75.31 Legal Ability 82.14 Temperament 66.67 Court Management 85.19 Health 93.90 Sensitivity 86.08 CAMPAIGN FINANCE Top Donors: Donor Total donated Latest date Linda S. Byassee $8,379.79 Nov 08, 2018 Amanda Gott $7,590.27 Sep 28, 2017 Amanda Byassee Gott Attorney at Law $5,885.00 Oct 17, 2018 Melvin Barnett Properties LLC $5,000.00 Aug 01, 2018 Linda S. & James H. Byassee $3,257.00 Oct 31, 2018 Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ Attorney Disciplinary Reports Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings None Look Up Attorney Disclipline History How Judicial Advisory Polls Work In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The poll is conducted by email and mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election or a judge seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys. Following are the questions asked on the poll. Please note that questions on Temperament and Court management differ for those seeking a judicial vacancy and those seeking retention. Clarification of those differences are noted below. Meets Requirements of Office: (Recommendation) Considering the qualifications of the candidate, do you believe this candidate meets acceptable requirements for the office? Integrity Adhere to the high standards of integrity and ethical conduct required of the office? Impartiality Act and rule impartially and free of any predisposition or improper influence? Legal Ability Have adequate legal experience, knowledge, and ability? Temperament for a judicial vacancy: Exercise appropriate temperament with courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? for judicial retention: Exercise the judicial temperament to serve with appropriate courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? Court Management for a judicial vacancy: Attends to all professional responsibilities including the management of cases/clients, and completes work in a prompt and skillful manner? for judicial retention: Diligently and promptly attend to the duties of the office and assure the steady progress of court business? Health Have the physical, mental and emotional health, stamina and stability needed to perform judicial duties? Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias Conducts self and deals with others appropriately to reduce or eliminate conduct or words which manifest bias based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others?

  • Foley, Rebecca Simmons

    zg Hon. Rebecca Simmons Foley Republican 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judge McLean County < Back EXPERIENCE 11th Judicial Circuit Judge, McClean County, 2012 - Present (Elected 2012 / Retained 2018) Associate Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, 2004 - 2012 Private Practice, 1995 - 2004 EDUCATION Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. News - Editorial Journalism - 1991 Law School: DePaul University College of Law, J.D. - 1995 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association and 11th Circuit Joint Judicial Advisory Polls: Rebecca Simmons Foley: Recommended Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 90.60 Integrity 83.04 Impartiality 97.32 Legal Ability 98.29 Temperament 93.28 Court Management 99.15 Health 96.49 Sensitivity 95.65 Number of Respondents 122 CAMPAIGN FINANCE Top Donors: No information available at this time Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ Judicial Inquiry Board Complaint Summary 89 & 90. 14-CC-2, Filed July 24, 2014: Scott D. Drazewski, Circuit Judge, 11th Circuit, McLean County; and Rebecca S. Foley, Circuit Judge, 11th Circuit, McLean County The Complaint alleged that beginning no later than December 5, 2010, and continuing through at least February 16, 2011, Judges Drazewski and Foley engaged in an undisclosed extramarital affair, during which time period Judge Drazewski presided over a number of pending cases, including a three-day jury trial, where Judge Foley’s husband – an attorney who practiced regularly in the judges’ courthouse – represented parties. The Complaint also alleged that during the time period that Judge Drazewski presided over Judge Foley’s husband’s pending cases, Judge Foley did not disclose to her husband or to her Chief Judge that she was having an extramarital relationship with Judge Drazewski. According to the Complaint, Judge Foley was aware that Judge Drazewski presided over a jury trial in which her husband represented one of the parties while the extramarital affair was ongoing. The Complaint further alleged that it was only after Judge Foley’s husband had confronted Judge Foley and demanded that Judge Drazewski recuse himself, and after Judge Foley had then related that conversation to Judge Drazewski, that Judge Drazewski recused himself from Attorney Foley’s cases. The Complaint also alleged that during subsequent communications with his Chief Judge, Judge Drazewski failed to disclose the actual reason for those recusals, namely his extramarital relationship with Judge Foley. Order entered March 11, 2016: Respondent Scott D. Drazewski suspended from office for four months without pay effective May 1, 2016; Respondent Rebecca S. Foley censured. Click Here for Full Decision How Judicial Advisory Polls Work In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The poll is conducted by email and mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election or a judge seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys. Following are the questions asked on the poll. Please note that questions on Temperament and Court management differ for those seeking a judicial vacancy and those seeking retention. Clarification of those differences are noted below. Meets Requirements of Office: (Recommendation) Considering the qualifications of the candidate, do you believe this candidate meets acceptable requirements for the office? Integrity Adhere to the high standards of integrity and ethical conduct required of the office? Impartiality Act and rule impartially and free of any predisposition or improper influence? Legal Ability Have adequate legal experience, knowledge, and ability? Temperament for a judicial vacancy: Exercise appropriate temperament with courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? for judicial retention: Exercise the judicial temperament to serve with appropriate courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? Court Management for a judicial vacancy: Attends to all professional responsibilities including the management of cases/clients, and completes work in a prompt and skillful manner? for judicial retention: Diligently and promptly attend to the duties of the office and assure the steady progress of court business? Health Have the physical, mental and emotional health, stamina and stability needed to perform judicial duties? Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias Conducts self and deals with others appropriately to reduce or eliminate conduct or words which manifest bias based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others?

  • Hon. Sean W. Donahue

    This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Hon. Sean W. Donahue Democratic Party Winner 100% (6,982 of 6,982) Primary votes < Candidates 10th Circuit - Peoria County (Lyons Vacancy) EXPERIENCE 10th Judicial Circuit Court Associate Judge: 2017- Present Appointed 2017, Reappointed 2019, 2023 Private Practice: 2006 - 2017 Peoria County Assistant Public Defender: 2006 - 2011 Peoria County Assistant State's Attorney: 2004 - 2006 EDUCATION Southern Illinois University School of Law: J.D. - 2004 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS 2024 Illinois State Bar Association's Advisory Committee Result: Sean W. Donahue – Recommended Criteria 2024 Score 2023 Score 2019 Score Number of Respondents 121 121 84 Meets Requirements Of Office 94.87 97.52 93.90 Integrity 98.28 97.52 97.59 Impartiality 97.41 97.52 96.39 Legal Ability 94.92 98.33 87.95 Temperament 98.29 97.52 98.77 Court Management 98.26 97.48 93.90 Health 99.12 98.33 100 Sensitivity 99.11 96.55 96.39 < Candidates CAMPAIGN FINANCE Total contributions since April 1, 2023: $12,639 Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ Top 5 Donors Donor Total amount Latest Date Sean Donahue $12,189 10/18/2023 Jerry Weaver $250 12/19/2023 Mary Hitz $200 12/19/2023 ENDORSED BY: No endorsement information is available at this time. This list does not include individual politician or community leaders, but those organizations that have a defined process for endorsing all types of judicial candidates. For a more complete list of all endorsements, click on the "Campaign Website" button below. Some candidates have yet to publish a website. View More Attorney Disciplinary Reports Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings None Look Up Attorney Disclipline History

  • John M. Spears

    This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. John M. Spears Democratic Party Winner 100% (7,072 of 7,072) Primary votes < Candidates 10th Circuit - Peoria County EXPERIENCE Tazewell County Assistant Public Defender: 2021 - Present Adjunct Professor Illinois Central College: 2022 - Present Peoria County Assistant State's Attorney: 2015 - 2021 EDUCATION Illinois State University: B.A. - 2010 Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley School of Law: J.D. - 2013 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS 2024 Illinois State Bar Association's Advisory Committee Result: John M. Spears – Not Recommended Number of Respondents 48 Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 51.16 Integrity 93.62 Impartiality 86.96 Legal Ability 46.67 Temperament 95.65 Court Management 88.89 Health 95.83 Sensitivity 95.65 < Candidates CAMPAIGN FINANCE Total contributions since April 1, 2023: $3,150 Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ Top 5 Donors Donor Total amount Latest Date Teamsters Local 627 $500 10/20/2023 Daniel Cusack, PC $500 10/7/2023 Plumbers Local Union 63 PAC $500 10/7/2023 Steamfitters Local #353 P.E.C. $500 10/7/2023 Boilermakers Local 60 $250 10/20/2023 ENDORSED BY: No endorsement information is available at this time. This list does not include individual politician or community leaders, but those organizations that have a defined process for endorsing all types of judicial candidates. For a more complete list of all endorsements, click on the "Campaign Website" button below. Some candidates have not published a campaign website yet. Campaign Website Attorney Disciplinary Reports Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings None Look Up Attorney Disclipline History

  • Smith, Sarah

    n Hon. Sarah Smith Democrat 3rd Judicial Circuit Court Judge At Large Back EXPERIENCE 3rd Judicial Circuit Judge, 2018 - Present (Elected 2018) Associate Judge, 3rd Circuit Court, 2015 - 2018 Assistant State's Attorney, Madison County, 2002 - 2015 Staff Judge Advocate, Illinois Army National Guard EDUCATION Undergraduate: Millikin University B.A. - 1998 Graduate: Regent University, M.A. - 1999 Law School: Regent University School of Law, J.D. - 2002 United States Army War college, M.A. - 2020 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association and 3rd Circuit Joint Judicial Advisory Polls: Sarah Smith: Recommended Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 95.80 Integrity 95.77 Impartiality 95.04 Legal Ability 95.77 Temperament 97.20 Court Management 91.30 Health 97.87 Sensitivity 97.81 Number of Respondents 143 CAMPAIGN FINANCE Top Donors: Donor Total donated Latest date Keefe, Keefe, & Unsell, P.C. $13,500.00 Jul 25, 2018 Simmons Hanly Conroy $11,000.00 Jul 25, 2018 Maune, Raichle, Hartley, French & Mudd, LLC. $11,000.00 Aug 08, 2018 Walton, Telken, Foster, LLC. $10,000.00 Jun 01, 2018 Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. $9,750.00 Jul 13, 2018 Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ Previous How Judicial Advisory Polls Work In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The poll is conducted by email and mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election or a judge seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys. Following are the questions asked on the poll. Please note that questions on Temperament and Court management differ for those seeking a judicial vacancy and those seeking retention. Clarification of those differences are noted below. Meets Requirements of Office: (Recommendation) Considering the qualifications of the candidate, do you believe this candidate meets acceptable requirements for the office? Integrity Adhere to the high standards of integrity and ethical conduct required of the office? Impartiality Act and rule impartially and free of any predisposition or improper influence? Legal Ability Have adequate legal experience, knowledge, and ability? Temperament for a judicial vacancy: Exercise appropriate temperament with courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? for judicial retention: Exercise the judicial temperament to serve with appropriate courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? Court Management for a judicial vacancy: Attends to all professional responsibilities including the management of cases/clients, and completes work in a prompt and skillful manner? for judicial retention: Diligently and promptly attend to the duties of the office and assure the steady progress of court business? Health Have the physical, mental and emotional health, stamina and stability needed to perform judicial duties? Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias Conducts self and deals with others appropriately to reduce or eliminate conduct or words which manifest bias based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others?

  • 4 Types of Judges | Knowyourstatejudges

    Supreme Court Justice Appellate Court Justice Circuit Court Judge Associate Judge Illinois’s highest Court Administrative & Supervisory Authority over all Illinois courts Appeals from Appellate Courts 7 Justices for 5 Districts District 1 (Cook County) - 3 Justices Districts 2-5 - 1 Justice apiece Qualifications United States Citizen Resident of represented district Licensed to practice Law in Illinois Appointed by other Supreme Court Justices Fulfill midterm vacancy Removal, Retirement, Resignation, Not Retained, Death Must run for election next election cycle - Primary and General Elected to 10 year term by popular vote in partisan election Retention election every 10 years Non-competitive & Non-partisan election 60% retention vote needed Appeals from Circuit Courts 54 Justices for 5 Districts District 1 (Cook County) 6 Divisions - 24 Justices Districts 2-5 (101 counties) - 30 Justices Qualifications United States Citizen Resident of represented district Licensed to practice Law in Illinois Appointed by other Supreme Court Justices Fulfill midterm vacancy Appointment, Removal, Retirement, Resignation, Not Retained, Death Must run for election next election cycle - Primary and General Elected to 10 year term by popular vote in partisan election Retention election every 10 years Non-competitive & Non-partisan election 60% retention vote needed Preside over civil and criminal cases Small claim cases to contractual disputes to domestic relations to criminal felonies. 25 Judicial Circuits with 63 Subcircuits 7 single county circuits Cook - 18 Subcircuits Dupage (18th Circuit) - 7 Subcircuits Kane (16th Circuit) - 4 Subcircuits Lake (19th Circuit) - 12 Subcircuits McHenry (22nd Circuit) - 4 Subcircuits St. Clair (20th Circuit) Will (12th Circuit) - 5 Subcircuits 18 multi-county circuits (2 to 12 counties) 3rd Circuit (Madison & Bond) 4 Subcircuits 7th Circuit ( Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott) 7 Subcircuits 17th Circuit (Winnebago & Boone) 2 Subcircuits Approximately 500 Judicial Circuit Court Judges Qualifications United States Citizen Resident of circuit/subcircuit Licensed to practice law in Illinois Appointed by Supreme Court Justices Fulfill midterm vacancy Appointment, Removal, Retirement, Resignation, Not Retained, Death Must run in next election cycle Elected to 6 year term by popular vote in partisan election Retention election every 6 years Non-competitive & Non-partisan election 60% retention vote needed Preside over any non-felony case - assigned by Chief Judge or designated judicial circuit court judge Felon Cases (> 1 yr imprisonment) must be authorized by Supreme Court 25 Judicial Circuits with 63 Subcircuits Same as Judicial Circuit Court Justices Approximately 400 Judicial Circuit Court Associate Judges Number per Circuit dependent on population Qualifications United States Citizen Resident of circuit/subcircuit Licensed to practice law in Illinois Appointed by Circuit Court or Supreme Court Justices Must be reappointed every 4 years

  • Rudolf, Heinz

    zze Hon. Heinz Rudolf Democrat 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge At Large < Back EXPERIENCE 20th Judicial Circuit Judge, 2018 - Present (Elected 2018) Associate Jude, 20th Judicial Circuit, 2006 - 2018 (Appointed 2006 / Reappointed 2007, 2011, 2015) Assistant State's Attorney, St. Clair County Assistant Public Defender, St. Clair County EDUCATION Undergraduate: St. Louis University, B.A. - 1992 Graduate: St. Louis University, M.A. - 1995 Law School: St. Louis University School of Law, J.D. - 1995 Graduate: St. Louis University, PhD, Public Policy Analysis and Administration - 2002 RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS Illinois State Bar Association and 20th Circuit Joint Judicial Advisory Polls: Heinz Rudolf: Recommended Criteria Score Meets Requirements Of Office 95.21 Integrity 96.58 Impartiality 91.03 Legal Ability 95.89 Temperament 96.53 Court Management 96.55 Health 97.90 Sensitivity 96.50 Number of Respondents 146 CAMPAIGN FINANCE Top Donors: Donor Total donated Latest date Keefe, Keefe & Unsell, P.C. $18,000.00 Jun 21, 2024 Rich Rich Cooksey & Chappell P.C. $12,000.00 Jul 08, 2024 Heinz Rudolf $11,099.83 Jun 15, 2024 Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. $10,500.00 Aug 24, 2018 Simmons Hanly Conroy $10,000.00 Aug 24, 2018 Read more on Illinois Sunshine → https://illinoissunshine.org/ How Judicial Advisory Polls Work In counties outside of Cook, ISBA conducts an advisory poll. The poll is conducted by email and mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election or a judge seeks retention. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district may request a ballot. Participants of the poll are asked to evaluate each candidate only if they have professional knowledge of the candidate(s) that enables them to make an informed evaluation. Ballots are confidential and returned inside a ballot envelope which is mailed in a Teller envelope. A certification slip stating that the participant read and understood the instructions of the poll is signed in order for the ballot to be counted. Candidates and judges are rated "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether respondents agree that the candidate "meets acceptable requirements for the office." Those receiving 65 percent or more "yes" responses to that question are rated "recommended" and those receiving less than 65 percent are rated "not recommended." Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys. Following are the questions asked on the poll. Please note that questions on Temperament and Court management differ for those seeking a judicial vacancy and those seeking retention. Clarification of those differences are noted below. Meets Requirements of Office: (Recommendation) Considering the qualifications of the candidate, do you believe this candidate meets acceptable requirements for the office? Integrity Adhere to the high standards of integrity and ethical conduct required of the office? Impartiality Act and rule impartially and free of any predisposition or improper influence? Legal Ability Have adequate legal experience, knowledge, and ability? Temperament for a judicial vacancy: Exercise appropriate temperament with courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? for judicial retention: Exercise the judicial temperament to serve with appropriate courtesy, consideration, firmness, fairness, patience and dignity? Court Management for a judicial vacancy: Attends to all professional responsibilities including the management of cases/clients, and completes work in a prompt and skillful manner? for judicial retention: Diligently and promptly attend to the duties of the office and assure the steady progress of court business? Health Have the physical, mental and emotional health, stamina and stability needed to perform judicial duties? Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias Conducts self and deals with others appropriately to reduce or eliminate conduct or words which manifest bias based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others?

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