Vote Smart: CBA Judicial Voter's Guide

Primary Election - March 17, 2026

The Chicago Bar Association results of independent screenings for the judicial candidates seeking election in the March 17, 2026 primary election are:

HQ – Highly Qualified
Q – Qualified
NR – Not Recommended

 
ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT

(Hoffman Vacancy)
131 | Judith C. Rice (D)   |   Q


CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY

 (Burke Vacancy)
132 | Steven Q. McKenzie (D)   |   Q

(Cobbs Vacancy)
133 | Luz Maria Toledo (D)   |   Q
134 | Linda Sackey (D)   |   Q

(Coghlan Vacancy)
135 | Ashonta C. Rice (D)   |   Q
136 | Michael Cabonargi (D)   |   Q
 
(Hooks  Vacancy) 
137 | Ava George Stewart (D)   |   Q

(Karkula Vacancy) 
138 | D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford (D)   |   HQ

(1st Subcircuit, Balanoff  Vacancy)
141 | Radiance Ward (D)   |   HQ
142 | Natalie L. Howse (D)   |   NR

(1st Subcircuit, Walker  Vacancy)
143 | Ashley Greer Shambley (D)   |   Q
144 | Ginger Odom (D)   |   Q
145 | Tiffany Brooks (D)   |   NR

(3rd Subcircuit, Murphy Vacancy) 
141 | John Carroll (D)   |   Q
 
(3rd Subcircuit, Sherlock Vacancy) 
142 |      Martin Douglas Reggi (D)   |   NR
143 | Rachel Marrello (D)   |   NR

(5th Subcircuit, Ross Vacancy)
141 | Stephanie S. Kelly (D)   |   NR

(8th Subcircuit, Gamrath Vacancy)
141 | Kathleen Cunniff Ori (D)   |   Q
142 | Elizabeth Christina Dibler (D)   |   Q
143 | Garson Fischer (D)   |   Q
 
(8th Subcircuit, Mikva Vacancy)
144 | Lester Finkle (D)   |   Q
145 | Dan Balanoff (D)   |   NR
146 | Katherine Carole Morrison (D)   |   Q

(11th Subcircuit, McLean Meyerson Vacancy)
141 | Jarrett Knox (D)   |   Q
142 | John R. Carrozza (D)   |   Q

(11th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Roberts Vacancy)
143 | Kim Przekota (D)   |   Q

(13th Subcircuit, Curry, Jr. Vacancy)
141 | Robert “Bob” Groebner (D)   |   Q

(13th Subcircuit, M. Kelley Vacancy)
142 | Brittany Michelle Pedersen (D)   |   Q

(13th Subcircuit, T. Kelley Vacancy)
143 | William F. Kelley (D)   |   Q

(13th Subcircuit, O'Malley Vacancy) 
144 | Dan Naranjo (D)   |   Q

(16th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Baird)
141 | Julian Sanchez Crozier (D)   |   Q

(16th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Mendoza)
142 | Jessica Karina Velez (D)   |   NR

(17th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of  Brooks)
141 | Natalia Moore (D)   |   NR
142 | Meridth Hammer (D)   |   NR


(17th  Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Carroll)
143 | Amari Dawson (D)   |   NR
144 | Bianca B. Brown (D)   |   Q
145 | André Thapedi (D)   |   NR

(18th  Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Chrones) 
142 | Juan Ponce de Leon (D)   |   Q

(18th  Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Andreou)
141 | Sam Bae (D)   |   Q

(19th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Fairman) 
141 | Sara McGann (D)   |   Q

(19th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Kane) 
142 | Monica Somerville (D)   |   Q
143 | John Harkins (D)   |   NR
144 | Dave Condron (D)   |   Q

(20th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Haracz)
141 | Michael J. Zink (D)   |   Q

(20th Subcircuit, Converted from Associate Judgeship of Miller)
142 | Jon Stromsta (D)   |   Q
143 | Belle Katubig (D)   |   Q

Downloadable Resources:

March 17, 2026 Primary Election Pocket Guide
2-page summary in a printable PDF format - perfect for the voting booth!

March 17, 2026 Primary Election Guide - En Español
Guía electoral para elecciones informativas de jueces.

March 17, 2026 Primary Election Pocket Guide - Polish
Przewodnik w wyborach sędziowskich.

March 17, 2026 Primary Election Smart Guide

Narrative of evaluation findings of judicial candidates seeking election to the bench.

Paid for by The Chicago Bar Association 2026 Judicial Evaluation Fund.