Judicial Performance and Accountability
Articles and updates focused on judicial evaluation, ethics, accountability, and efforts to improve the quality and integrity of the courts.
Judicial Investigation Opportunity
A Meaningful Way for CCL Attorneys to Get Involved The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is currently seeking volunteer investigators for the 2026 judicial retention cycle. This presents an excellent opportunity for newer attorneys [...]
Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening 2026 Primary Election
The Chicago Council of Lawyers evaluates judges seeking retention, judicial candidates seeking to fill vacancies through the public election process, and judicial candidates seeking to fill Associate Judge vacancies. Click here to download a [...]
STATEMENT OPPOSING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TARGETING OF PRO BONO COUNSEL REPRESENTING JACK SMITH
On February 25, 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum suspending the security clearances of all partners and employees of Covington & Burling LLP who assisted former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The memorandum also ordered all [...]
Cook County Judge Under State Disciplinary Investigation after Allegedly Sharing Racist Meme
Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman, a Cook County judge, is under disciplinary review for allegedly sending a racist meme in a text message. As reported by Injustice Watch and WBEZ, the meme depicts an AI-generated image of [...]
Judicial Retention Election Results
Tuesday was the last day provisional ballots can be counted and it appears one Cook County Circuit Court judge will be losing their seat. Shannon O'Malley gained only 58% Yes for Retention votes. All members [...]
Judicial Evaluations Available Now for the 2024 General Election: The Chicago Council of Lawyers Finds 4 Judges Not Qualified and 12 Judges Well Qualified
The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released our recommendations for the judicial retention ballot in the November 2024 general election. The Committee to Elect Qualified Judges' sample ballot is also available for download.You can read [...]
Primary Election Judicial Evaluations for 2024 are Live!
Among the Chicago Council of Lawyers’ most vital projects are our state judicial evaluations. This crucial public service to help the citizens of Illinois vote for qualified judges. The quality of our judiciary is a [...]
Primary Election Judicial Evaluations for June 2022 are Live!
Among the Chicago Council of Lawyers’ most vital projects are our state judicial evaluations. This crucial public service to help the citizens of Illinois vote for qualified judges. The quality of our judiciary is a [...]
Seeking Community Input: 2022 Judicial Retention Candidates
As voters, it is our responsibility to elect for fair, compassionate judges we can trust to make impartial decisions based on consideration of the facts and the law. In order to arm voters with the [...]
Chicago Council of Lawyers’ Statement in Support of the Judicial Quality Act (SB 0563)
The Chicago Council of Lawyers strongly supports passage of SB 0653, the Judicial Quality Act (the “Act”). The Act requires that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts “develop and implement an ongoing education and training program [...]
