Illinois Supreme Court

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).

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointment of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael Cabonargi to the Ninth Subcircuit of Cook County.

Judge Cabonargi is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to the Supreme Court in January 2026. The appointment is effective August 7, 2026, and will conclude on December 4, 2028.

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the First Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Joshua A. Stratemeyer as associate judge of the First Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Stratemeyer received his undergraduate degree in 2001 from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and his Juris Doctor in 2006 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Mr. Stratemeyer is currently affiliated with the Massac County State’s Attorney’s Office in Metropolis, Illinois.

Justice Sanjay T. Tailor of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a standing Judicial Screening Committee (Committee). The Committee has been formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who apply for appointment to vacancies in the Supreme Court’s First District - Cook County.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies on the Circuit and Appellate Courts are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Appointed individuals then must run in the next election to maintain the seat.