Maybe you’ve had this experience: You get to the bottom of your ballot and see dozens of names you’ve never heard of. They’re the Cook County retention judges.
Judges might be the most obscure names on your ballot, but they’re quite possibly the elected official you’re most likely to come into contact with. If you dispute a traffic ticket, face eviction or foreclosure, get a divorce, sue for damages after an accident or are accused of a crime, a Cook County judge is involved.
Yet, come election time, many skip this long section of their ballots. That’s because there are so few places to get quality information about these important public officials.
Injustice Watch’s team of investigative reporters works to fill this gap by providing voters with nonpartisan information about Cook County judicial elections. We don’t make endorsements. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, we report just the facts, so you can make your own decisions about who you want on the bench.
First, a little bit about how judicial elections work in Cook County:
There are two types of judicial races on your ballot: vacancies and retention races. Vacancy races are partisan and, in heavily Democratic Cook County, are usually decided in the Democratic primary. There are only five contested races for open seats this year — one countywide and four in the 12th and 18th subcircuits, which include parts of the north and northwest suburbs.
The other 77 judges are running for reelection, or what is known in Illinois as “retention.” Circuit judges run for retention every six years; appellate and Supreme Court justices face retention every 10 years. Sitting judges don’t have challengers. Instead, voters decide whether or not to keep them on the bench for another term by voting “yes” or “no.” To stay on the bench, each judge must receive at least 60% “yes” votes among people voting in their race. Historically, it’s rare for a Cook County judge not to meet this threshold. In the past 36 years, only two judges lost retention votes.
Our team spent months researching each judge’s work experience, political connections, conduct and controversies. We sent every judge a survey asking about their background and why voters should keep them on the bench. This election, only eight judges replied to the survey, an indication they’d like to keep these races under the radar. We also summarize the recommendations from the 14 groups of lawyers, called bar associations, that evaluate judicial candidates. We include excerpts from the recommendations of the two bar associations — the Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL) and the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) — that explain their ratings. Unless otherwise noted, candidates have been found qualified for retention by all bar associations.
To see our full judicial election guide for the 2024 general election, including the five contested vacancy races, go to injusticewatch.org/judges.
Appellate Court
Thomas E. Hoffman
Hoffman became a Cook County associate judge in 1984 and has been an appellate judge since 1993. The CCL found him well qualified and praised his intellect, preparation and active participation from the bench.
David W. Ellis
Ellis is one of two appellate judges in the 1st District who lacked prior experience as a circuit judge before joining the appellate court. The CCL praised his temperament, thoughtfulness and writing ability.
Circuit Court
Kathy M. Flanagan
Acting presiding judge, Law Division
Six bar groups found her not qualified for retention. The ISBA praised her for her impartiality, diligence and legal knowledge, but recommended against retaining her, citing criticism from some attorneys that she has acted “unprofessionally, impatiently and temperamentally.”
Stuart F. Lubin
Juvenile Justice Division
The CCL found Lubin well qualified, citing his courtroom management, temperament, impartiality and integrity.
Martin S. Agran
Acting presiding judge over civil courts, Rolling Meadows Courthouse
The ISBA praised him for his “knowledge of the law, graciousness, fairness, and diligence.”
Ronald F. Bartkowicz
Law Division
The CCL wrote, “He is deemed a diligent, punctual, fair, respectful, impartial, and effective case manager.”
E. Kenneth Wright Jr.
Presiding judge, 1st Municipal District (Chicago)
Two bar groups found him not qualified for retention, after Injustice Watch reported he had claimed homestead exemptions on a property he owns in Will County. The ISBA recommended against retaining Wright, citing “concerns regarding his level of candor concerning the recently identified residency and property tax homestead issues.” The CCL noted the residency issues but praised his “forthright handling of the matter, coupled with a strong history of professionalism on the bench” in finding him qualified for retention.
James M. Varga
Law Division
Two bar associations did not recommend Varga for retention. The ISBA found him qualified and wrote, “Attorneys uniformly praised his legal knowledge and praised his ability to handle complex cases.”
Mary Margaret Brosnahan
Criminal Division
The ISBA said lawyers praised Brosnahan’s legal ability, and “even those who considered her a little ‘state leaning’ reiterated their confidence in her ability to be impartial.”
Maura Slattery Boyle
Law Division
Two bar associations did not recommend Slattery Boyle for retention. The CCL wrote that most lawyers said Slattery Boyle knew the law well but cited “significant concerns” about her rulings, reversals and demeanor toward defendants when she served in criminal court.
Carl Anthony Walker
Appellate Court
The ISBA described Walker as “well-prepared” with a “steady composure.”
Daniel Patrick Brennan
Chancery Division
The CCL said he is “mild-mannered but exceptional at managing his courtroom and keeping the atmosphere calm and efficient.”
Ellen L. Flannigan
Domestic Relations Division
The CCL reported Flannigan was described as “one of the strongest judges we have in the Domestic Relations Division.”
Carol M. Howard
Criminal Division
The CCL noted attorneys were “overwhelmingly positive in their assessment of Judge Howard’s legal ability, demeanor, and integrity” even in “chaotic environments.”
Jill C. Marisie
Presiding judge, 3rd Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
The ISBA noted Marisie is praised for “fairness, and her thoughtfulness, and respectfulness.”
Mike McHale
Criminal Division
The Cook County Bar Association and LAGBAC-Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association did not recommend McHale for retention. The ISBA said attorneys described McHale as “a fair, diligent and punctual judge who runs a tight ship.” However, they also noted some concerns that he “favors the prosecution side.”
James Patrick Murphy
Probate Division
The CCL said he “is considered knowledgeable about the law and well-prepared for his cases.” The ISBA said he is “even-tempered, tolerant, and impartial.”
Ramon Ocasio III
Appellate Court
The CCL said there was consensus he “has a solid command of the law, listens to all sides, and is open to arguments.” They also noted he is described as “compassionate, respectful, and patient.”
Mary Colleen Roberts
Law Division
The ISBA praised Roberts for her sensitivity to implicit bias and self-represented litigants and noted she is “well-respected for her impartiality, diligence and preparation.”
Celia Louise Gamrath
Gamrath withdrew from the retention election in September, after she was appointed to the Appellate Court. Due to the timing, her name will still appear on the ballot, but votes for or against her will not be counted.
Tommy Brewer
Presiding judge, 6th Municipal District (Markham)
The CCL said “he is praised for his focus on reducing the backlog in the Markham courthouse and for his willingness to utilize new approaches to improve the administration of justice.”
Erica L. Reddick
Presiding judge, Criminal Division
The ISBA noted Reddick is “described as sensitive to those appearing before her with mental health issues and developmental disabilities.” The CCL said she has a “calm but firm demeanor and excellent legal ability.”
Lionel Jean-Baptiste
Domestic Relations Division
The CCL said lawyers praised Jean-Baptiste’s temperament and ability to defuse “tense situations” in his courtroom. “He is considered to be impartial and sensitive to diversity and bias issues,” they wrote.
Michael R. Clancy
Criminal Division
The CCL said attorneys describe Clancy as “even-keeled, but stoic, sometimes stern, and occasionally ‘curt.’” They added, “A minority of respondents felt that he is more ‘state-oriented’ than ‘defense-oriented’ but that he generally has a high level of impartiality.”
Regina Ann Scannicchio
Acting presiding judge, Domestic Relations Division
The CCL praised Scannicchio as an “approachable and engaged” presiding judge. The ISBA described her as “straight-forward, organized, and patient.”
Diann Karen Marsalek
Presiding judge, Traffic Division
The CCL noted Marsalek is well prepared for court and “is reported to be exceptionally knowledgeable about her area of law.”
Carl B. Boyd
6th Municipal District (Markham)
The CCL said Boyd is described as someone who “is not above considering that maybe he made a mistake or might be wrong.” They added, “Both assistant state’s attorneys and public defenders describe him as fair.”
Daniel R. Degnan
Probate Division
The ISBA noted attorneys “described him as extremely knowledgeable, always current on the law, prompt, diligent, and good with pro se litigants.”
John H. Ehrlich
Law Division
The ISBA reported Ehrlich “explains his rulings well, and is exceptional in dealing with jurors.” The CCL noted Ehrlich “receives universal praise for his courtroom management, judicial temperament, and sensitivity to diversity and bias.”
Terry Gallagher
5th Municipal District (Bridgeview)
The CCL wrote that Gallagher is “praised for his courtroom demeanor and manages people appearing in his courtroom with ‘patience and grace,’ especially self-represented defendants” but that “some attorneys questioned his willingness to admit he is always learning.”
William G. Gamboney
Criminal Division
The CCL said Gamboney “received mixed commentary on his courtroom demeanor, with some describing him as mild-mannered and others remarking that he will become ‘annoyed’ or raise his voice when apparently upset.” However, they noted he is “well-regarded by attorneys appearing in his courtroom and keeps educated on changes in the law.”
Elizabeth Mary Hayes
5th Municipal District (Bridgeview)
The ISBA said attorneys praise Hayes’ “professionalism, diligence, and courteousness.” The CCL said a minority of respondents “find her consistently rude with a poor temperament for domestic violence cases.”
Martin C. Kelley
3rd Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
The ISBA said attorneys described Kelley as a judge “who knows the law, does his homework, and handles complex cases well.”
Kimberly D. Lewis
Child Protection Division
The ISBA wrote Lewis is considered “intelligent, well versed in the law, even-tempered, and professional.”
Aicha Marie MacCarthy
Probate Division
The CCL found MacCarthy well qualified, noting “the issues in her courtroom can be complex and emotionally difficult, but she is adept at handling sensitive situations and known for treating everyone patiently, fairly, and with respect.”
Lisa Ann Marino
1st Municipal District, Housing Section
Marino was not recommended for retention by six bar associations. The CCL said complaints about Mario included “repeated legal errors, anti-defendant bias, shouting from the bench, unpreparedness, and arriving late to the bench or taking excessive time to make decisions.”
Michael Tully Mullen
Chancery Division
The CCL wrote that Mullen is described as a “smart, kind, and well-organized judge” and said feedback about him was “uniformly positive.”
Karen Lynn O’Malley
Law Division
The CCL noted O’Malley’s knowledge of the law and procedures, fairness, and preparedness. The ISBA said attorneys had raised concerns about her temperament and diligence in her previous assignment but “none were raised about her current assignment.”
Paul S. Pavlus
2nd Municipal District (Skokie)
The CCLS said Pavlus is “praised for his ability to move his call efficiently and how respectful he is to all parties who appear before him.”
Cynthia Ramirez
Juvenile Justice Division
The ISBA said some attorneys expressed concerns about her temperament, reporting Ramirez at times “has grown frustrated and impatient and yelled at parties and attorneys, which some described as an attempt to show ‘tough love.’”
Beatriz Santiago
3rd Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
The ISBA wrote that attorneys described Santiago as “an efficient judge who is well-versed in the law, keeps control of her courtroom, and treats all fairly.”
Clare Joyce Quish
Chancery Division
The CCL reported “a minority of respondents noted a reluctance to make ‘tough decisions,’ but the majority of respondents found her professional and knowledgeable.”
Stephanie Saltouros
Law Division
The CCL wrote Saltouros is “considered ‘pragmatic’ in her application of the law and well-prepared.” The ISBA added that she was known “as a ‘teaching judge’ who explains her rulings and educates litigants.”
Kent Delgado
Probate Division
The ISBA found Delgado “very skilled and knowledgeable in the area of probate law, professional, diligent, and impartial.”
Cecilia Ann Horan
Chancery Division
The CCL wrote, “Horan is generally viewed as a competent judge with good ability and knowledge in her field.” The ISBA said she “takes the time to do research, listens to both sides, and has a great temperament.”
Joanne F. Rosado
Criminal Division
The CCL said Rosado “is praised for her deep knowledge of the relevant law, her integrity, and for being fair to all parties.”
Toya T. Harvey
Law Division
The ISBA said lawyers described Harvey as “fair, sensitive, diligent, impartial, and thoughtful, with most giving positive comments on her legal knowledge.”
Adrienne Elaine Davis
Criminal Division
The CCL said Davis is praised for being calm, respectful and thoughtful and is “candid with parties regarding the strengths and weaknesses of their case.”
H. Yvonne Coleman
Domestic Relations Division
The CCL found attorneys said Coleman “appears diligent about her responsibilities and well-prepared for court.” The ISBA said she “issues comprehensive, well-written decisions.”
Debra A. Seaton
1st Municipal District, Housing Section
The ISBA said attorneys reported Seaton to be well prepared and said she takes time to do research. The CCL noted “some respondents raised questions about her temperament and impartiality, but any issues in that regard do not appear to be substantial or significant enough to raise questions regarding her qualifications.”
David R. Navarro
Appellate Court
The ISBA said attorneys praise Navarro’s “deep understanding of the law and his meticulous approach to preparation.”
Marian Emily Perkins
Chancery Division
The ISBA said Perkins gives pro se litigants “ample time and attention” and said attorneys “spoke favorably of her diligence, temperament and integrity, and commented that she has become skilled in the law and procedural safeguards of the specialized area she is in.”
Robert Harris
Law Division
The CCL said Harris received “widespread praise” from attorneys “for his legal knowledge and ability, including his willingness to research areas that are new to him.”
Preston Jones Jr.
Law Division
The CCL said Jones is “considered to have good legal knowledge, and he has shown a willingness to reconsider his rulings to reach the right result.”
Peter Michael Gonzalez
Branch 43, Misdemeanor
The Cook County Bar Association did not recommend Gonzalez for retention. The CCL said “almost every attorney reported some temperament issues, especially noting that he becomes visibly frustrated and ‘yells.’” But they noted attorneys also commended him for being “impartial, fair, and sensitive to issues of bias.”
Jeanne Marie Wrenn
Domestic Violence Division
The ISBA said attorneys praised Wrenn’s “legal knowledge and ability, sensitivity, temperament, and diligence, describing her as a thoughtful and a good manager of a courtroom that can be emotional.”
Michael B. Barrett
Law Division
The ISBA said attorneys describe Barrett as “being well-organized with a good grasp of legal issues; and state he is ‘top notch’, calm, diligent, and fair.”
Tiana Ellis Blakely
6th Municipal District (Markham)
The CCL said Blakely is “widely regarded as an excellent criminal judge by both state’s attorneys and defense attorneys,” and was praised for “her courtroom management with regard to both efficiency and impartiality.”
Joel Chupack
Chancery Division
The Illinois State Bar Association said attorneys “across the board” praised Chupack’s “professionalism, demeanor, and patience.” The Chicago Council of Lawyers said he “ensures he has a strong handle on the relevant factual and legal issues before ruling.”
Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza
4th Municipal District (Maywood)
The Cook County Bar Association did not recommend Ciaccia-Lezza for retention. The ISBA said attorneys praised Ciaccia-Lezza’s “extensive knowledge of the law and her diligence and punctuality,” but some attorneys also said “she can be impatient” at times.
Kevin Patrick Cunningham
6th Municipal District (Markham)
The CCL noted attorneys said Cunningham is “prepared, diligent, and thoughtful” and “takes a people-centered focus on access to the justice system, balancing the return to in-person court with the benefits of technology-assisted remote hearings for more routine matters.”
Colleen Reardon Daly
3rd Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
The ISBA said Daly is “well-prepared, knowledgeable, sensitive to diversity, diligent, even-keeled and has excellent character and integrity.” The CCL said her character was described as “one of the best” and “amazing.”
Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval
Juvenile Justice Division
The CCL said attorneys praised Frausto-Sandoval for “being a quick learner who made decisions thoughtfully and handled difficult cases well.”
Ieshia Gray
6th Municipal District (Markham)
Eight bar associations did not recommend Gray for retention. The ISBA said attorneys praised Gray’s legal ability and sensitivity to diversity, but said a majority of attorneys had “concerns over her temperament, diligence, and work ethic.” The CCL said several attorneys said Gray “personalized matters and treated them punitively after they presented positions with which she disagreed.”
Jack Hagerty
2nd Municipal District (Skokie)
The ISBA said attorneys “praised his ability to pivot between different areas of law” and said he is “considered to be impartial, fair and diligent.”
Lindsay Huge
1st Municipal District (Chicago)
The CCL said Huge “is recognized for his fairness, thoroughness, and solid legal reasoning.” They said attorneys raised some concerns about his punctuality and attentiveness, but the CCL reported it “does not yet seem to rise to the level of impacting the quality of justice in his courtroom.”
Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan
5th Municipal District (Bridgeview)
The ISBA said attorneys “described her as knowledgeable and well-versed in the law; diligent, objective and with a good demeanor.”
Thomas F. McGuire
3rd Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
The CCL said “other judges seek his guidance” and he is “good with self represented litigants, exercising care and patience.”
Scott McKenna
Law Division
The CCL found McKenna well qualified for retention, saying attorneys described him as “one of the best” and generally “offered high praise for this judge in all aspects of judicial qualifications.”
Shannon O’Malley
Child Protection Division
All reporting bar associations rated O’Malley not qualified for retention. The ISBA raised concerns about delays in his courtroom and also said attorneys “gave mixed reports on his legal knowledge, with some stating it was adequate but not great, and others describing it as inadequate.”
Erika Orr
Domestic Relations Division
The CCL said lawyers describe her demeanor as “diplomatic, sometimes stern, but always patient and fair.”
Linda Perez
Juvenile Justice Division
Two bar associations did not recommend Perez for retention. The CCL noted “concerns from some attorneys about how she treats parents of the juveniles in her courtroom and whether she is sufficiently sensitive to issues of bias,” but said “the balance of comments was generally positive.”
James “Jamie” Shapiro
Domestic Relations Division
The Illinois State Bar Association said attorneys consider him respectful, well informed and knowledgeable.
Tom Sam Sianis
Supervising judge, 1st Municipal District (Chicago), Traffic Division
The CCL said Sianis ”appears to value ongoing education, not simply in case law, but also in case management, diversity, and access to justice” and described him as someone who “takes his role as a judge seriously.”
Rosa Maria Silva
Domestic Relations Division
The ISBA said attorneys “praised her diplomatic nature and level-headedness” and reported she is “knowledgeable, prepared and sharp.”
Kathryn Maloney Vahey
Juvenile Justice Division
The ISBA praised her patient and respectful treatment of children in her courtroom, noting her “effort to tailor sentences to the specific facts and minors appearing before her.”
Andrea Michelle Webber
Domestic Relations Division
The CCL said she receives “uniformly high marks” for her sensitivity to bias and diversity, diligence and temperament, noting one practitioner said “her temperament is perfect for the bench.”
Arthur Wesley Willis
Criminal Division
The CCL said Willis is strict and known to “command respect and give it to those in his courtroom.”
Contested vacancy races
Countywide — Flannery Jr. vacancy
Pablo F. deCastro (D)
Tien Glaub (R)
DeCastro spent most of his career as a defense attorney before he was appointed to the Circuit Court after winning the Democratic primary in March. Glaub is an attorney with the city of Chicago’s Department of Administrative Hearings and the first Republican to run for a countywide judicial vacancy since 2010.
12th Subcircuit — Dickler vacancy
Alon Stein (D)
Maria McCarthy (R)
Stein runs a small firm with offices in Northbrook and Wisconsin focused on commercial litigation. McCarthy is a former prosecutor in Cook and Winnebago counties.
12th Subcircuit — Quinn vacancy
Frank J. Andreou (D)
Pamela Curran Smith (R)
Andreou is a Cook County associate judge in the Law Division, where he hears motions in civil lawsuits. Curran Smith is a partner in a small firm working on a wide variety of cases.
12th Subcircuit — Schleifer vacancy
James “Jack” Costello (D)
Matthew Taylor
Costello is a Cook County assistant state’s attorney, currently working in the Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit. Taylor is a former Palatine police officer who has prosecuted traffic and ordinance violations for several villages in the northwest suburbs.
18th Subcircuit — Linn vacancy
John Hock (D)
Lynn Terese Palac (R)
Hock is a Cook County assistant state’s attorney in the Post-conviction Unit and a former public defender in Lake and Will counties. Palac is a solo practitioner handling criminal, civil and family law and a former Cook County assistant state’s attorney.
Jonah Newman is the managing editor of Injustice Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism organization in Chicago that examines issues of equity and justice in the court system.
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