Illinois Bar Associations Issued Judicial Recommendations
The groups released candidate ratings to guide voters ahead of the November 3 election.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in People
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The Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association have released official judicial candidate recommendations for the upcoming November 3, 2026, election. These professional evaluations serve as a guide for voters across Illinois to assess candidates seeking judicial office.
Why it matters
These recommendations provide voters with professional insight into judicial candidates to help them make informed decisions at the ballot box. The reviews aim to ensure the judiciary is held to standards set by the state's largest legal associations.
The Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association released ratings for various judicial seats, including retention evaluations in McHenry and Kane counties. While most candidates were found qualified, the 13th Subcircuit saw a not qualified rating.
The players
Illinois State Bar Association
This organization is one of the two largest bar associations in Illinois and regularly provides professional evaluations of judicial candidates.
Chicago Bar Association
The Chicago Bar Association represents legal professionals and conducts extensive reviews of candidates for judicial office in the region.
Judith C. Rice
She is a judicial candidate who received a qualified rating for the First District Appellate Court from both state and local bar associations.
The details
The bar associations conducted thorough reviews of candidates, including Judith C. Rice for the First District Appellate Court. In addition to Rice, candidates for retention such as Michael W. Feetterer and Robert Villa were evaluated to provide transparency before the November polls.
Timeline
November 3, 2026, is the date of the scheduled judicial election.
Market Landscape
The release of these ratings aligns with the broader push for transparency in judicial elections and the professionalization of the selection process. It positions the bar associations as primary intermediaries between the legal establishment and the public's voting behavior.
Voters can use these official guides to simplify their research process when choosing between multiple judicial candidates. Accessing these recommendations can directly influence how residents cast their ballots in local and appellate court races.
The takeaway
Voters should consult multiple sources to get a comprehensive view of judicial candidates beyond just the bar ratings. Implementing these evaluations into a pre-voting checklist can help citizens participate more effectively in the democratic process.
What happens next
The judicial election is scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on legal developments, visit the Illinois People section.
More information
View the complete ISBA judicial elections guide to see the full list of candidate ratings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Herald.
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Do you find bar association recommendations helpful when deciding how to vote for local judicial candidates?
