Chicago – Preliminary tallies from the Cook County Clerk and the Chicago Board of Elections indicate that every one of the 60 circuit judges up for retention this November is poised to earn another six‑year term. The overall picture is one of stability for the county’s judiciary, a cornerstone of law and order that families and faith‑based communities rely on.
Three Judges Face Narrow Margins
Three judges are currently reporting the smallest margins of support. Judge Tiesha L. Smith, who serves in the juvenile justice division, has a “yes” vote total of 61.79% as of Wednesday morning. Judge Ursula Walowski stands at 62.12%, and Judge Lorraine Mary Murphy at 63.11%. All three judges received at least one negative rating from the 14 local bar associations that evaluate judicial performance.
Despite the close numbers in the city, each judge appears to have secured a comfortable lead among suburban voters, where all precincts have reported. This urban‑suburban split underscores the importance of every vote in retention elections, a process that lets citizens hold judges accountable while preserving judicial independence.
Bar Association Feedback and Judicial Record
Judge Smith’s record in the juvenile division has drawn criticism from the Illinois State Bar Association, which cited reports of heated exchanges in her courtroom. The Chicago Council of Lawyers qualified her rating after she agreed to take a stress‑management course, noting concerns about a perceived “hostile temperament” after her reassignment two years ago. Judge Smith declined to comment on the election results.
Judge Walowski, a veteran of nearly two decades on the bench, has faced appellate scrutiny. Injustice Watch reported that the Illinois Appellate Court overturned at least 25 of her rulings in the past six years, including a 2023 case where a murder conviction was reversed because she allegedly failed to explain a defendant’s right to counsel. The Cook County Bar Association recommended against her retention. Walowski could not be reached for comment but previously suggested that high case volume contributes to occasional reversals.
Judge Murphy, who presides over felony cases and the drug‑treatment court program in Skokie, received two negative bar ratings. The Illinois State Bar Association pointed to concerns about impartiality in criminal cases and a “careless preparation” of her judicial evaluation questionnaire. Murphy also declined to comment.
Retention Elections: A Tradition of Judicial Stability
Illinois is one of only two states that hold partisan elections for initial judicial seats, followed by non‑partisan retention votes every two years. To remain on the bench, a judge must secure at least 60% “yes” votes. Historically, Cook County voters have rarely removed judges; since 2018, only three circuit judges have been voted off.
Recent retention outcomes reflect this tradition. In 2018, Judge Matthew Coghlan became the first judge in nearly three decades to lose his seat after community groups highlighted harsh sentencing patterns. In 2020, Judge Jackie Portman‑Brown was removed following a video showing her locking a child in a holding cell. Most recently, Judge Shannon O’Malley was voted out in 2024 after questions about residency requirements surfaced.
What Voters Should Know
Final vote totals may not be known for days or weeks as election officials continue to count mail‑in ballots and precinct results. Voters are encouraged to review each judge’s record, consider the bar association ratings, and remember that retention elections are a vital tool for maintaining a fair and effective judiciary that protects families, upholds the Constitution, and respects the rule of law.
For the most up‑to‑date results, residents can follow the live retention election tracker provided by the Cook County Clerk’s office.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
