Justice Sanjay T. Tailor Announces Multiple Judicial Vacancies in Cook County

Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor has begun an application process for four judicial vacancies – two at-large vacancies and two subcircuit vacancies – in Cook County.

The at-large vacancies are for the seats of Judge Diana Rosario (vacant as of June 1, 2026) and Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer (vacant effective December 7, 2026), and the subcircuit vacancies are for the seats of Judge Sybil Thomas (19th Subcircuit, vacant as of January 31, 2026) and Judge Pamela Loza (12th Subcircuit, vacant effective September 18, 2026).

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Tailor will make recommendations to the Supreme Court after applicants for the position undergo a screening and evaluation process.

The application form and instructions may be obtained by visiting the Illinois Supreme Court’s website at www.illinoiscourts.gov and following the instructions in the latest news scroller announcing the Cook County vacancies.

Applications must be filed electronically and the deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on September 10, 2026.

The persons appointed to fill the vacancies will serve until the first Monday in December following the November 2028 election.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois, and a resident of the county or subcircuit at the time of appointment.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)