Topic:
Eligibility of judges in Cook County
(Cunningham, D-Chicago) requires a judge to have actively practiced law in Illinois for at least ten years before he or she can be elected or appointed an associate or circuit judge in Cook County. To be eligible for either office, a potential judge must have been certified as qualified to be a Judge or Associate Judge by at least five members of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Before a lawyer may run for nomination, election, or retention for any judgeship at any level in Cook County, the prior approval of the ARDC members is required. Retention of a judge will require a two-thirds vote (currently three-fifths). This retention change appears to affect all Illinois judges. Effective upon adoption and applies only to persons seeking election or appointment as a Judge or Associate Judge after the adoption of the Amendment. Just introduced.